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I can't see how to simplify from step 1 to step 2 in the following example:

  1. $$ \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(n+2)+(n+2)(n+1) $$

  2. $$ (\frac{1}{3}n+1)(n+1)(n+2) $$

Thanks to the answers this is how I got from 1 to 2:

1.1 $$ \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(n+2)+1(n+2)(n+1) $$ 1.2 $$ (n+2)\left(\frac{1}{3}n(n+1)+1(n+1)\right) $$ 1.3 $$ \left((n+1)(\frac{1}{3}n+1)\right)(n+2) $$ Then you get to step 2. Or factor out both (n+1) and (n+2) from the whole sum at once: $$ (n+1)(n+2)\left((\frac{1}{3}n+1)\right) $$

In case you wonder why all this - now I can show that

$$ \sum_{i=1}^{n+1} (i + 1)i = \left(\sum_{i=1}^n (i + 1)i\right) + (n+2)(n+1) $$

$$ = \frac{1}{3}(n+1)(n+2)(n+3) $$

which should proof (by using mathematical induction) that

$$ \forall n \in N : \sum_{i=1}^n (i + 1)i = \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(n+2). $$

  • 1
    Start by rewriting the $(n+2)(n+1)$ term to $1\cdot(n+1)(n+2)$.2012-10-09
  • 0
    Yes, I can see now what joriki meant with factor out both bracketed factors from the whole sum.2012-10-09
  • 0
    Step 1.3 makes no sense to me -- is there a typo there?2012-10-09
  • 0
    My fault. Makes sense now?2012-10-09
  • 0
    @Stephan: It does.2012-10-09

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Factor out $(n+1)(n+2)$. What's left in each term? What's the sum of those two expressions?