discrete mathematics - Using Direct Proof. $1+2+3+ldots+n = frac{n(n + 1)}{2}$

I need help proving this statement. Any help would be great!

Answer

Here is an approach.

$$s_n =1+2+3+\dots+(n-1)+n \\ s_n =n+(n-1)+(n-2)+\dots+1 .$$

Adding the above gives

$$2s_n = (1+n)+(2+(n-1))+(3+(n-2))+\dots+(1+n)$$

$$=(1+n)+(1+n)+\dots+(1+n)$$

The above is nothing but adding $(1+n)$ n times and the result follows

$$\implies s_n = \frac{n(n+1)}{2}.$$