Summation of n-squared, cubed, etc. How do you in general derive a formula for summation of n-squared, n-cubed, etc...? Clear explanation with reference would be great.

In general, if you want to derive a formula for the sum of $1^k+\cdots+n^k,$ let $$f(x)=\sum_{j=0}^{k+1}a_jx^j$$ and solve $$f(x)-f(x-1)=x^k$$ for the coefficients $a_j$. The polynomial that results will have the property that $f(n)=1^k+\cdots+ n^k$ for all positive integers $n$.
