Definition:Upper Sum

Definition
Let $\left[{a \,.\,.\, b}\right]$ be a closed real interval.

Let $f: \left[{a \,.\,.\, b}\right] \to \R$ be a bounded real function.

Let $P = \left\{{x_0, x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n}\right\}$ be a subdivision of $\left[{a \,.\,.\, b}\right]$.

For all $\nu \in \left\{{1, 2, \ldots, n}\right\}$, let $M_\nu^{\left({f}\right)}$ be the supremum of $f$ on the interval $\left[{x_{\nu - 1} \,.\,.\, x_{\nu}}\right]$.

Then:
 * $\displaystyle U^{\left({f}\right)} \left({P}\right) = \sum_{\nu \mathop = 1}^n M_\nu^{\left({f}\right)} \left({x_{\nu} - x_{\nu - 1}}\right)$

is called the upper sum of $f$ on $\left[{a \,.\,.\, b}\right]$ belonging (or with respect) to (the subdivision) $P$.

If there is no ambiguity as to what function is under discussion, $M_\nu$ and $U \left({P}\right)$ are often seen.

Also known as
The notation $U \left({P, f}\right)$ can be used in place of $U^{\left({f}\right)} \left({P}\right)$.

The upper sum is also known as the upper Darboux sum or the upper Riemann sum.

Also see

 * Lower Sum
 * Upper Integral
 * Lower Integral
 * Riemann Sum