[HM] sums of squares, etc.

Boaz Tsaban (tsaban@macs.biu.ac.il)
Thu, 12 Aug 1999 19:55:09 +0300 (IDT)

Dear list members,

I am looking for the origins of efficient calculations of sums
of the form:
m m m
a(k,m) := 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + k

It seems that Gersonides (Rabbi Ben Gershon) knew
this sums for m=1,2,3.
Are there earlier instances of the "formulas" for these sums?

Do these sums have a standard name nowadays?

Thanks,
Boaz