42

Take a look at this symbol:

$$ \pi=3 + \underset{k=1}{\overset{\infty}{\large{\mathrm K}}} \frac{(2k-1)^2} 6 $$

Does it look familiar to you? If so please help me!

Michael Hardy
  • 1
  • 30
  • 276
  • 565
VJZ
  • 521
  • 5
  • 11

2 Answers2

55

It is the notation for a continued fraction. In general: $$b_0 + \underset{k=1}{\overset{\infty}{\large{\mathrm K}}} \left(\frac{a_k}{b_k}\right)=b_0 + \cfrac{a_1}{b_1 + \cfrac{a_2}{b_2 + \cfrac{a_3}{b_3 + \cfrac{a_4}{b_4 + \ddots\,}}}}$$ Therefore, the continued fraction representation you have written above for $\pi$ is: $$\pi=3 + \underset{k=1}{\overset{\infty}{\large{\mathrm K}}} \frac{(2k-1)^2}{6}=3 + \cfrac{1^2}{6 + \cfrac{3^2}{6 + \cfrac{5^2}{6 + \cfrac{7^2}{6 + \ddots\,}}}}$$ A proof of this result can be found on pages 399-401 of this document by Paul Loya.

projectilemotion
  • 14,963
  • 6
  • 28
  • 51
  • 13
    An interesting aspect of this notation is that the apparent sequence of fractions $ \frac {a_k_} {b_k_} $ is not actually used. Given that, I find this notation rather unfortunate. – PJTraill Mar 10 '17 at 09:05
32

The given symbol is sometimes used for an infinite continued fraction, it seems to have been designed by Carl Friedrich Gauss.

Olivier Oloa
  • 118,697
  • 18
  • 195
  • 315
  • 17
    A large Sigma for Summe (sum) by Euler, a large Pi for Product (product) by Gauß, a large Kappa for Kettenbruch (continued fraction) by Gauß as well. Neat! Obvious abbreviations are obvious. – Roland Mar 09 '17 at 22:23
  • 13
    Produkt* is Product in German. – Displayname Mar 10 '17 at 02:14