Answer
$$\frac{{511}}{4}$$
Work Step by Step
$$\eqalign{
& \sum\limits_{i = 0}^8 {64{{\left( {\frac{1}{2}} \right)}^i}} \cr
& {S_n}{\text{ we write using summation notation as}}:{\text{ }}\left( {{\text{see page 612}}} \right) \cr
& {S_n} = \sum\limits_{i = 0}^{n - 1} {a{r^i}} \cr
& {\text{comparing the given sumation }}\sum\limits_{i = 0}^8 {64{{\left( {\frac{1}{2}} \right)}^i}} {\text{ with }}\sum\limits_{i = 0}^{n - 1} {a{r^i}} {\text{ we obtain }} \cr
& a = 64{\text{ and }}r = \frac{1}{2} \cr
& {\text{the summation is from }}i = 0{\text{ to }}n - 1 = 8,{\text{ so }}n = 9 \cr
& {\text{using the formula }}{S_n} = \frac{{a\left( {{r^n} - 1} \right)}}{{r - 1}},{\text{ }}r \ne 1{\text{ gives}} \cr
& {S_9} = \frac{{\left( {64} \right)\left( {{{\left( {1/2} \right)}^9} - 1} \right)}}{{\left( {1/2} \right) - 1}} \cr
& {\text{simplify}} \cr
& {S_9} = - 128\left( {{{\left( {1/2} \right)}^9} - 1} \right) \cr
& {S_9} = \frac{{511}}{4} \cr} $$