Step 1: Understand the summation notation. The given summation is \( \sum_{i=1}^4 (i^2 - 3i + 8) \), which means you need to evaluate the expression \( i^2 - 3i + 8 \) for each integer value of \( i \) from 1 to 4, and then sum the results.
Step 2: Break the summation into individual terms. Substitute \( i = 1, 2, 3, 4 \) into the expression \( i^2 - 3i + 8 \) to calculate each term. For example, when \( i = 1 \), the term becomes \( 1^2 - 3(1) + 8 \). Repeat this for \( i = 2, 3, 4 \).
Step 3: Simplify each term. For each value of \( i \), simplify the expression \( i^2 - 3i + 8 \) to get a numerical result. For example, when \( i = 1 \), simplify \( 1^2 - 3(1) + 8 \) to get the first term. Do the same for \( i = 2, 3, 4 \).
Step 4: Add the results of the individual terms. Once you have the simplified values for each term (from \( i = 1 \) to \( i = 4 \)), add them together to compute the total summation.
Step 5: Verify your work. Double-check each substitution, simplification, and addition to ensure accuracy in your calculations.