Calculating a Sum with C++ - c++

Question

I wrote the following code to sum the series (-1)^i*(i/(i+1)). But when I run it I get -1 for any value of n.
Can some one please point out what I am doing wrong? Thank you in advance!
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
int sum = 0;
int i = 1.0;
int n = 5.0;
for(i=1;i<=n;i++)
sum = (-1)^i*(i/(i+1));
cout << "Sum" <<" = "<< sum << endl;
return 0;
}

Answer 1

Problem #1: The C++ ^ operator isn't the math power operator. It's a bitwise XOR.
You should use pow() instead.
Problem #2:
You are storing floating-point types into an integer type. So the following will result in integer division (truncated division):
i/(i+1)
Problem #3:
You are not actually summing anything up:
sum = ...
should be:
sum += ...
A corrected version of the code is as follows:
double sum = 0;
int i = 1;
int n = 5;
for(i = 1; i <= n; i++)
sum += pow(-1.,(double)i) * ((double)i / (i + 1));
Although you really don't need to use pow in this case. A simple test for odd/even will do.
double sum = 0;
int i = 1;
int n = 5;
for(i = 1; i <= n; i++){
double val = (double)i / (i + 1);
if (i % 2 != 0){
val *= -1.;
}
sum += val;
}

Answer 2

You need too put sum += pow(-1,i)*(i/(i+1));
Otherwise you lose previous result each time.
Use pow function for pow operation.
edit : as said in other post, use double or float instead of int to avoid truncated division.

Answer 3

How about this
((i % 2) == 0 ? 1 : -1)
instead of
std::pow(-1, i)
?
Full answer:
double sum = 0;
int i = 1.0;
int n = 5.0;
for (i = 1; i <= n; ++i) {
signed char sign = ((i % 2) == 0 ? 1 : -1);
sum += sign * (i / (i+1));
}

Answer 4

Few problems:
^ is teh bitwise exclusive or in c++ not "raised to power". Use pow() method.
Remove the dangling opening bracket from the last line
Use ints not floats when assigning to ints.

Answer 5

You seem to have a few things wrong with your code:
using namespace std;
This is not directly related to your problem at hand, but don't ever say using namespace std; It introduces subtle bugs.
int i = 1.0;
int n = 5.0;
You are initializaing integral variables with floating-point constants. Try
int i = 1;
int n = 5;
sum = (-1)^i*(i/(i+1));
You have two problems with this expression. First, the quantity (i/(i+1)) is always zero. Remember dividing two ints rounds the result. Second, ^ doesn't do what you think it does. It is the exclusive-or operator, not the exponentiation operator. Third, ^ binds less tightly than *, so your expression is:
-1 xor (i * (i/(i+1)))
-1 xor (i * 0)
-1 xor 0
-1

Answer 6

^ does not do what you think it does. Also there are some other mistakes in your code.
What it should be:
#include <iostream>
#include <cmath>
int main( )
{
long sum = 0;
int i = 1;
int n = 5;
for( i = 1; i <= n; i++ )
sum += std::pow( -1.f, i ) * ( i / ( i + 1 ) );
std::cout << "Sum = " << sum << std::endl;
return 0;
}
To take a power of a value, use std::pow (see here). Also you can not assign int to a decimal value. For that you need to use float or double.
The aforementioned ^ is a bitwise-XOR, not a mark for an exponent.
Also be careful of Integer Arithmetic as you may get unexpected results. You most likely want to change your variables to either float or double.

Answer 7

There are a few issues with the code:
int sum = 0;
The intermediate results are not integers, this should be a double
int i = 1.0;
Since you will use this in a division, it should be a double, 1/2 is 0 if calculated in integers.
int n = 5.0;
This is an int, not a floating point value, no .0 is needed.
for(i=1;i<=n;i++)
You've already initialized i to 1, why do it again?
sum = (-1)^i*(i/(i+1));
Every iteration you lose the previous value, you should use sum+= 'new values'
Also, you don't need pow to calculate (-1)^i, all this does is switch between +1 and -1 depending on the odd/even status of i. You can do this easier with an if statement or with 2 for's, one for odd i one for even ones... Many choices really.