Since n! represents 1⋅2⋅3⋯n, I am wondering if there is a way to represent 1+2+3+⋯+n?
What are some usual notations for the computation of some common sequences? Any other examples?
Answer
One way to write it would be simply by using the sumation notation, meaning
1+2+3+⋯+n=n∑k=1k.
Of course, that is equivalent to writing the factorials with the product notation, meaning
n!=n∏k=1k,
so I don't think that is what you were asking.
If you already know that 1+2+⋯+n=n(n+1)2, then you can just write n(n+1)2 instead of the sum. The fact that the sum can be expressed as this rather short fraction is in my oppinion the real reason why a shortened notation does not exist. Unlike in the case of n!, which cannot be expressed by a polynomial in n, this one can be, thus shortening the notation is not needed.
EDIT: I was of course proven wrong by Chris Culter in his answer. However, I would like to add that the notation Tn, where T stands for triangular, is not as common as n!. Any mathematitian in the world will know that if you write 5!, you really mean 5⋅4⋅3⋅2⋅1, however, if you say Tn, that notation can be used for other things, such as Chebyshev polynomials.
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