Euler's Summation Formula provides a powerful technique for approximating the sum of a function's values at integer points by relating it to an integral. Specifically, if is a sufficiently smooth function, the formula is expressed as:
where is a remainder term that can often be expressed in terms of higher derivatives of . This formula illustrates the idea that discrete sums can be approximated using continuous integration, making it particularly useful in analysis and number theory. The accuracy of this approximation improves as the interval becomes larger, provided that is smooth over that interval. Euler's Summation Formula is an essential tool in asymptotic analysis, allowing mathematicians and scientists to derive estimates for sums that would otherwise be difficult to calculate directly.
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