Are the Results of Adding and Subtracting ζ(0) and Grandi's Series Valid?

  • Thread starter Kekasi
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Series
S1 and S2 are divergent series that do not have a finite sum. Adding or subtracting them in any way will give an incorrect result. The statements S1+S2=0 and S1-S2=-1 are not valid. The series S1-S2 is not equal to S1+S2, as it appears to be in the equations, because S1 and S2 do not have well-defined values.
  • #1
Kekasi
1
0
Recently I came across this information:

[itex]\text{S1} = 1+1+1+1+\dotsb= -\frac{1}{2}[/itex]
[itex]\text{S2} = 1-1+1-1+\dotsb= \hspace{4.6mm} \frac{1}{2}[/itex]

Which are ζ(0) and Grandi's series respectively.

After tinkering with this information, I produced these strange results.

[itex]\text{S1}+\text{S2} = 2+0+2+0+\dotsb=\hspace{3.8mm}0[/itex]
[itex]\text{S1}-\text{S2} = 0+2+0+2+\dotsb=-1[/itex]My questions:
Are S1+S2 and S1-S2 valid? If not so, why?
If so, is the following true? If not so, why?

[itex]\text{S1}-\text{S2} = 0+2+0+2+0+\dotsb[/itex]
[itex]\hspace{17.25mm}=\hspace{8.3mm}2+0+2+0+\dotsb=\text{S1}+\text{S2}[/itex]
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Kekasi said:
Recently I came across this information:

[itex]\text{S1} = 1+1+1+1+\dotsb= -\frac{1}{2}[/itex]
[itex]\text{S2} = 1-1+1-1+\dotsb= \hspace{4.6mm} \frac{1}{2}[/itex]

Which are ζ(0) and Grandi's series respectively.

After tinkering with this information, I produced these strange results.

[itex]\text{S1}+\text{S2} = 2+0+2+0+\dotsb=\hspace{3.8mm}0[/itex]
[itex]\text{S1}-\text{S2} = 0+2+0+2+\dotsb=-1[/itex]


My questions:
Are S1+S2 and S1-S2 valid? If not so, why?
If so, is the following true? If not so, why?

[itex]\text{S1}-\text{S2} = 0+2+0+2+0+\dotsb[/itex]
[itex]\hspace{17.25mm}=\hspace{8.3mm}2+0+2+0+\dotsb=\text{S1}+\text{S2}[/itex]
These are all mathematical fallacies.
 

1. What is Ζ(0)?

Ζ(0) is a mathematical concept known as the Riemann zeta function evaluated at 0. It is defined as the sum of the reciprocals of all positive integers, and has a value of -1/2.

2. What is Grandi's Series?

Grandi's Series is an infinite series that was first proposed by Italian mathematician Guido Grandi in the 18th century. It is defined as the alternating sum of all positive integers, and has a value of 1/2.

3. Why is Ζ(0) equal to -1/2?

The value of Ζ(0) can be derived using complex analysis techniques. It is related to the concept of analytic continuation, which allows for the extension of a function beyond its original domain. In the case of Ζ(0), the analytic continuation yields a value of -1/2.

4. What is the significance of Ζ(0) and Grandi's Series?

Both Ζ(0) and Grandi's Series are interesting mathematical concepts that demonstrate the paradoxical nature of infinite series. They also have important applications in number theory, complex analysis, and physics.

5. How are Ζ(0) and Grandi's Series related?

Ζ(0) and Grandi's Series are closely related through the concept of analytic continuation. In fact, Grandi's Series can be thought of as the analytic continuation of Ζ(0) from the positive integers to all real numbers. Both have a value of 1/2, but in slightly different contexts.

Similar threads

  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Topology and Analysis
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
825
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Topology and Analysis
Replies
8
Views
8K
Replies
1
Views
972
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
696
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Calculus
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
2K
Back
Top