The sum of the reciprocal of the square root of all the positive integers up to n is denoted by F(n), that is:
F(n) = 1+1/√2 + 1/√3 +...+ 1/√n
Determine the maximum value of n such that the integer part of the base ten expansion of F(n) DOES NOT exceed 2012.
*** For an extra challenge, solve this puzzle without using a computer program.
(In reply to
solution by Dej Mar)
"Euler's Summation Formula" as given in "Numerical Mathematical Analysis" by James B Scarborough, Sixth Edition, The Johns Hopkins Press (page 166) makes for a simplified procedure for deriving sums of similar expressions having a large number of terms.
Took a while to search the net to observe that the same formula is given in Wikipedia under the article "Euler–Maclaurin formula" and, in Mathworld under the article "Euler-Maclaurin Sum Formula" (which redirects to "Euler-Maclaurin Integration Formulas")
Members may use the above formula to achieve a greater degree of accuracy in determining the desired value of n.
Edited on March 19, 2012, 2:50 am
Hint
