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Re: sum question

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg91242] Re: sum question
• From: David Bailey <dave at Remove_Thisdbailey.co.uk>
• Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:06:17 -0400 (EDT)
• References: <g7h9q1$bbd$1@smc.vnet.net>

Kopp, Philip F wrote:
> Hi, I am trying to work with a rather large sum(>200 terms)  in Mathematica , but the program displays some odd behavior.
> When I multiply each term in the sum by 1, I get 1 for the answer.  When I change 1 to 1.0, I get an incredibly large number for the answer.
> There seems to be some problem with using decimal numbers in this large sum. I tried Rationalize[1.0], and it works.  What I am really trying to do is multiply each term by a different number(all less than one) that I calculated in another program.  These numbers are in decimal form, so I run into the same problem.  When I try rationalize here, it doen't fix the problem.  Any other suggestions?
> 

I think you will have to post some actual code in order to obtain a 
useful reply.

David Bailey
http://www.dbaileyconsultancy.co.uk