Summation Notation

thunc14

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Nov 15, 2017
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I have a confusion about two of the answers. I understand the total sum of cans is 256, and that there are 16 rows for the triangle. However, b and c both give a total sum of 256. Not sure if this is a question of formality as to which notation is the most correct, but I'm confused about which one to choose since they both give 256.

Question: Model the following situation in summation notation: A store is setting up a soda display for a Superbowl Sunday. They make a triangle where there are 31 cases on the bottom, 29 on the next row, and they continue to stack cases this way all the way to the top row, which only has 1 case. How many soda cases are used in total, considering that the first row to be laid down is the bottom one?

I have attached a picture of the answer choices.
 

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I have a confusion about two of the answers. I understand the total sum of cans is 256, and that there are 16 rows for the triangle. However, b and c both give a total sum of 256. Not sure if this is a question of formality as to which notation is the most correct, but I'm confused about which one to choose since they both give 256.

Question: Model the following situation in summation notation: A store is setting up a soda display for a Superbowl Sunday. They make a triangle where there are 31 cases on the bottom, 29 on the next row, and they continue to stack cases this way all the way to the top row, which only has 1 case. How many soda cases are used in total, considering that the first row to be laid down is the bottom one?

I have attached a picture of the answer choices.
Yes, the totals are the same, but what is the difference? And is there something in the problem statement that makes one of the choices incorrect?
 
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