cumulative sum

USAGE SUMMARY

'cumulative sum' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it when referring to the total sum of different amounts added together over a period of time. For example, "The cumulative sum of all the donations to the charity exceeded our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The cumulative sum of the background probability ωi will be referred as CB3.

Nature

Correction: Learning curve and competence for volumetric laser endomicroscopy in Barrett's esophagus using cumulative sum analysis.

Harvard University

Learning curve and competence for volumetric laser endomicroscopy in Barrett's esophagus using cumulative sum analysis.

Harvard University

"For match-day three we have had a cumulative sum in-match viewing figure of 2.3m versus 2.1m last season".

The Guardian - Sport

Shewhart and cumulative sum (cusum) control charts were designed for period lengths of seven days.

Agricultural Systems

Cumulative sum (CUSUM) chart is a general method in statistical control engineering to monitor controlled variables.

Energy and Buildings

Cumulative sum (CuSum) is a real-time proficiency-monitoring tool adapted for simulation-based training.

Journal of Surgical Education

Cumulative sum (CUSUM) control chart with estimated process parameters is utilized to detect faults in VAV terminals.

Automation in Construction

This system was based upon cumulative sum (CUSUM) control charts and tested using simulated data from delay-difference models.

Fisheries Research

Overall, during that stretch, New York outspent the cumulative sum of each year's second-highest-payroll team by $595,360,493.

The New Yorker

The Post used the cumulative sum of the number of teams who have advanced through the tournament to calculate how well a team had done in the tournament.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about data analysis or financial reports, use "cumulative sum" to clearly indicate that you are referring to a running total that includes all previous values. For example, "The cumulative sum of monthly sales provides a clear picture of the year's overall performance."

Common error

Avoid using "cumulative sum" when a simple total or average is more appropriate. "Cumulative sum" implies a specific process of incremental addition over time or across categories, not just a final value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumulative sum" functions as a noun phrase, often used in mathematical, statistical, and financial contexts. It specifies a sum that is inclusive of all preceding values in a sequence. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in varied scientific and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

13%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cumulative sum" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, primarily in scientific, academic, and analytical contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a progressive total. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a running total, distinct from a simple final value. Alternatives like "running total" or "aggregate total" may be suitable depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. Its technical nature makes it ideal for reports and analyses needing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prefix sum

This term is frequently used in computer science as a synonym to "cumulative sum".

sum total

This option is a more concise way of saying "cumulative sum", focusing on the final total obtained.

running total

This term suggests a total that is continuously updated as new values are added, indicating an ongoing calculation.

progressive total

This phrase indicates a total that increases step by step, emphasizing the incremental nature of the accumulation.

total accumulation

This alternative focuses on the final result of adding up values, emphasizing the total amount accumulated.

aggregate total

This phrase stresses the combined total from different sources or periods, highlighting the overall aggregation.

combined aggregate

This phrase emphasizes the combination of different values into a single, larger sum.

accrued total

Highlights the accumulation of values over time, often used in financial or accounting contexts.

overall summation

Emphasizes the act of summing values to reach a final, comprehensive total.

total increment

Focuses on the increased total resulting from successive additions or increments.

FAQs

How do you use "cumulative sum" in a sentence?

You can use "cumulative sum" to describe a total that increases with each addition. For instance, "The graph shows the cumulative sum of daily rainfall over the past month".

What's another way to say "cumulative sum"?

Alternatives to "cumulative sum" include "running total", "aggregate total", or "sum total" depending on the context.

Is "cumulative sum" the same as "total"?

While both refer to a final amount, "cumulative sum" specifically implies a progressive addition, whereas "total" can simply refer to the final amount without emphasizing the process of accumulation.

In what fields is "cumulative sum" commonly used?

"Cumulative sum" is frequently used in statistics, finance, and data analysis to track progressive totals and identify trends over time.