Gauss's formula for the sum of the first natural numbers is
\[ 0 + 1 + 2 + ... + (n-1) = \dfrac{n(n-1)}{2} \]
that is,
\[ \sum_{i < n} i = \dfrac{n(n-1)}{2} \]
In a previous exercise, this formula was proven by induction. Another way to prove it, without using induction, is the following: The sum can be written in two ways
\begin{align}
S &= &0 &+ &1 &+ &2 &+ ... &+ &(n-3) &+ &(n-2) &+ &(n-1) \newline
S &= &(n-1) &+ &(n-2) &+ &(n-3) &+ ... &+ &2 &+ &1 &+ &0
\end{align}
By adding, we observe that each pair of numbers in the same column sums to (n-1), and since there are n columns in total, it follows that
\[ 2S = n(n-1) \]
which proves the formula.
Prove Gauss's formula by following the above procedure.
To do this, complete the following Lean4 theory:
import Mathlib.Algebra.BigOperators.Intervals
import Mathlib.Tactic
open Finset Nat
variable (n i : ℕ)
example :
∑ i ∈ range n, i = n * (n - 1) / 2 :=
by sorry
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