<s>[INST] Proof of $n^3/3 + n^2/2 + n/6 = [1^2 + 2^2 + ... + n^2]$? I am having a hard time following this proof. Here is how it goes.
$$
(k+1)^3 = k^3+3k^2+3k+1\\
3k^2+3k+1 = (k+1)^3-k^3\\
$$
if $ k = 1, 2, 3, ... , n-1$ we add all the 5 formulas like this 
$$
3(1)^2+3(1)+1 = ((1)+1)^3-(1)^3\\
3(2)^2+3(2)+1 = ((2)+1)^3-(2)^3\\
3(3)^2+3(3)+1 = ((3)+1)^3-(3)^3\\
3(4)^2+3(4)+1 = ((4)+1)^3-(4)^3\\
\vdots \\
3(n-1)^2+3(n-1)+1 = ((n-1)+1)^3-(n-1)^3\\
3n^2+3n+1 = (n+1)^3-(n-1)^3\\
$$
The result of adding these formulas is
$$
3[1^2+2^2 + ... + (n-1)^2+n^2] + 3[1 + 2 + ... + (n-1)+n] + n = (n+1)^3-1^3
$$
I am able to follow up-to this point easily. I don't understand how this last equation goes from that to this $ n^3/3 + n^2/2 + n/6 = [1^2 + 2^2 + ... + n^2]$ I know thee sum of arithmetic series to n is $n(n-1)/2$ and that replaces the second expression on the left side.
Can some one please show me the algebra step by step?
 [/INST] Perhaps it's easier if we use the sum notation. Notice that your first equation can be used to show
$$(n+1)^3 - 1 = \sum_{k=1}^n(k+1)^3 - k^3 = \sum_{k=1}^n (3k^2 + 3k + 1) = 3\sum_{k=1}^n k^2 + \frac 32n(n+1) + n,$$
where the first equality comes from the telescopic property.
</s>