How do you find the sum of the first 5000 natural numbers?

2 Answers
Jul 2, 2016

The sum of the first #n# positive integers, #n# being a natural number, is given by #S_n = (n(n + 1))/2#.

#S_5000 = (5000(5001))/2#

#S_5000 = "12 502 500"#

Hopefully this helps!

Jul 2, 2016

12502500

Explanation:

Without using formula we can proceed as follows.

Let the sum be S then

#S= 1+2+3+4+5+ ---4998+4999+5000....(1)#

Again writing in reverse order

#S=5000+4999+4998+ ----+3+2+1......(2)#

Adding (1) and(2) we get

#2S=(5000+1)+(4999+2)"+"--+(4999+2)+(5000+1)#

#S=(5000xx5001)/2=12502500#