I would like to find the closed form of the sum $\sum_{n = 4}^{x}(x - n)$. I believe that the derivative is $x - 4$, but when I take the integral of that and graph it, the sum and $\frac{x^2}{2} + 4x$ are certainly not the same. Any help would be appreciated, as I have no idea how to proceed.
2026-04-08 04:10:41.1775621441
Finding the closed form of a sum
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$$\sum_{n=4}^x(x-n)$$ is an Arithmetic Series with the common difference $=1$
as the $r(0\le r\le -n-x+4)$th term$(T_r)$ is $x-n-r-4$
So, $T_{r+1}-T_r=1$
the first term being $x-4$ and the last being $x-x=0$ and the number of terms is $\displaystyle (x-4)-(x-x)+1=x-4+1$
Now, the sum of $N$ term with the first & the last term being $a,l$ is $$\frac N2(a+l)$$