Starting to prove by De Moivre's Theorem

  • Thread starter Thread starter rock.freak667
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Theorem
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around using De Moivre's theorem to evaluate a series involving sine functions and powers of two. The original poster seeks assistance in starting the proof for the infinite series involving \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{\sin n\theta}{2^n}\).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the imaginary part of complex exponentials and the sine function, questioning how to derive the series from De Moivre's theorem.
  • There are discussions about whether to expand the expression or to utilize the properties of geometric series.
  • Some participants express confusion about how to handle the summation and the imaginary part in the context of the series.
  • Questions arise regarding the manipulation of terms and the algebraic steps needed to reach the desired form of the series.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with various participants offering insights into how to approach the problem. Some guidance has been provided regarding the use of geometric series and the importance of taking the imaginary part after summation. However, there is no explicit consensus on the final steps or the complete solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the summation is intended to be finite, from 1 to N, rather than infinite, which may affect the approach taken. There is also mention of potential algebraic errors that participants are encouraged to verify.

rock.freak667
Homework Helper
Messages
6,221
Reaction score
31
[SOLVED] Starting to prove by De Moivre's Theorem

Homework Statement



Use de Moivre's theorem to show that

\sum_{n=1} ^{\infty} \frac{sinn\theta}{2^n}=\frac{2^{N+1}sin\theta+sinN\theta-2sin(N+1)\theta}{2^N(5-4cos\theta)}

Homework Equations



(cos\theta + isin\theta)^n=cosn\theta + isinn\theta

The Attempt at a Solution



Just need a little help on how to start this question. Where would I get the \frac{sinn\theta}{2^n} from?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Just need a little help on how to start this question. Where would I get the \frac{sinn\theta}{2^n} from?
As the imaginary part of (cos\theta + isin\theta)^n, presumably. Oh, I suppose that doesn't work literally.
 
Hurkyl said:
As the imaginary part of (cos\theta + isin\theta)^n, presumably. Oh, I suppose that doesn't work literally.

(btw, the ∑ is to N, not to ∞)

Yes it does … sum \left(\frac{1}{2}(cos\theta + isin\theta)\right)^n from 1 to N, get rid of the complex denominator in the usual way, and take the imaginary part. :smile:
 
But if I expand (cos\theta +isin\theta)^n how do I know when to stop since n varies?


(cos\theta +isin\theta)^n=(isin\theta)^n + ^nC_1(isin\theta)^{n-1}cos\theta +^nC_2(isin\theta)^{n-2}cos^2\theta +...
 
rock.freak667 said:
But if I expand (cos\theta +isin\theta)^n how do I know when to stop since n varies?


(cos\theta +isin\theta)^n=(isin\theta)^n + ^nC_1(isin\theta)^{n-1}cos\theta +^nC_2(isin\theta)^{n-2}cos^2\theta +...

Don't expand it! Use deMoivre!
 
Dick said:
Don't expand it! Use deMoivre!

But then that would just give me that


sin n\theta = Im[(cos\theta +i sin\theta)^n

the left has what I need, the right doesn't seem to be giving me any ideas.
 
rock.freak667 said:
But then that would just give me that


sin n\theta = Im[(cos\theta +i sin\theta)^n

the left has what I need, the right doesn't seem to be giving me any ideas.

Not even after plugging it into the sum and simplifying?
 
Forgive me if I am slow with this, I am very bad with these problems...But back to it. sin n\theta = Im[(cos\theta +i sin\theta)^n]

putting that into

\sum_{n=1} ^{N} \frac{sinn\theta}{2^n}

I get

<br /> \sum_{n=1} ^{N} \frac{Im[(cos\theta +i sin\theta)^n]}{2^n} =\sum_{n=1} ^{N} (\frac{Im[(cos\theta +i sin\theta)}{2})^n

\sum_{n=1} ^{N} (\frac{sin\theta}{2})^nWhich is a GP with first term,a=\frac{sin\theta}{2} and common ratio,r=\frac{sin\theta}{2} and |r|<1 ?
 
rock.freak667 said:
Forgive me if I am slow with this, I am very bad with these problems...But back to it. sin n\theta = Im[(cos\theta +i sin\theta)^n]

putting that into

\sum_{n=1} ^{N} \frac{sinn\theta}{2^n}

I get

<br /> \sum_{n=1} ^{N} \frac{Im[(cos\theta +i sin\theta)^n]}{2^n} =\sum_{n=1} ^{N} (\frac{Im[(cos\theta +i sin\theta)}{2})^n

\sum_{n=1} ^{N} (\frac{sin\theta}{2})^nWhich is a GP with first term,a=\frac{sin\theta}{2} and common ratio,r=\frac{sin\theta}{2} and |r|<1 ?

You can't factor the nth power outside the Im, and you don't want to. The left side is a geometric progression with common ratio exp(i*theta)/2. Sum it first, then take the imaginary part of both sides.
 
  • #10
Dick said:
You can't factor the nth power outside the Im, and you don't want to. The left side is a geometric progression with common ratio exp(i*theta)/2. Sum it first, then take the imaginary part of both sides.

Not too clear here.

I know that e^{i\theta}=cos\theta +i sin\theta so the imaginary part would just be the sine. But if I can't factor the n outside of the Im, how do I get it as a GP?
 
  • #11
ah I now got what you meant.

I was to consider the sum from 1 to N of [exp(i*theta)/2]^n and then take the I am part. Well I got everything in the Denominator and two of the terms in the numerator. I am just missing the 2^{N+1}sin\theta, I have 2^Nsin\theta. Shall recheck my algebra in a while.
 
  • #12
rock.freak667 said:
Not too clear here.

I know that e^{i\theta}=cos\theta +i sin\theta so the imaginary part would just be the sine. But if I can't factor the n outside of the Im, how do I get it as a GP?

Forget the original series. Sum (exp(i*theta)/2)^n. Then take the imaginary part. The original series will appear on the left side. It will be a surprise.
 
  • #13


Can some1 post the whole solution? How to get the 2^N[5-4Cos(theta)]


How do we get cos? If we are taking the imaginry part? Please solve it and post it... thanks in advance
 
  • #14


We want to show that
Σ(n=1 to N) sin(nθ) / 2^n = [2^(N+1) sin θ + sin (Nθ) - 2 sin(N+1)θ] / [2^N (5 - 4 cos θ)].
-------------------------
Note that e^(iθ) = cos θ + i sin θ.
So, De Moivre's Theorem yields for any positive integer n
e^(inθ) = (cos θ + i sin θ)^n = cos(nθ) + i sin(nθ).

Next, note that
Σ(n=1 to N) sin(nθ) / 2^n
= I am [Σ(n=1 to N) e^(inθ) / 2^n], by the first observation
= I am {Σ(n=1 to N) [e^(iθ)/2]^n}.

Thus, we need to compute the imaginary part of the finite geometric series
Σ(n=1 to N) [e^(iθ)/2]^n
= (e^(iθ)/2) Σ(k=0 to N-1) [e^(iθ)/2]^k, by re-indexing the sum
= (e^(iθ)/2) (1 - (e^(iθ)/2)^N) / (1 - e^(iθ)/2)
= e^(iθ) (1 - (e^(iθ)/2)^N) / (2 - e^(iθ))
= e^(iθ) (2^N - e^(iNθ)) / [2^N (2 - e^(iθ))]

Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate (2 - e^(-iθ)):
==> e^(iθ)(2 - e^(-iθ)) (2^N - e^(iNθ)) / [2^N (2 - e^(iθ))(2 - e^(-iθ))]
= (2e^(iθ) - 1) (2^N - e^(iNθ)) / [2^N (5 - 2 (e^(iθ) + e^(-iθ))]
= (2e^(iθ) - 1) (2^N - e^(iNθ)) / [2^N (5 - 2 (2 cos θ))]
= (2e^(iθ) - 1) (2^N - e^(iNθ)) / [2^N (5 - 4 cos θ)].

Now, it's a matter of simplifying the numerator.
(2e^(iθ) - 1) (2^N - e^(iNθ))
= 2^(N+1) e^(iθ) - 2^N - 2e^(i(N+1)θ) + e^(iNθ)
= 2^(N+1) (cos θ + i sin θ) - 2^N - 2 (cos(N+1)θ + i sin(N+1)θ) + (cos(Nθ) + i sin(Nθ))
= [2^(N+1) cos θ - 2^N - 2 cos(N+1)θ + cos(Nθ)] + i [2^(N+1) sin θ - 2 sin(N+1)θ) + sin(Nθ)]

Its imaginary part is 2^(N+1) sin θ - 2 sin(N+1)θ) + sin(Nθ).

Therefore, we have obtained
Σ(n=1 to N) sin(nθ) / 2^n = [2^(N+1) sin θ + sin (Nθ) - 2 sin(N+1)θ] / [2^N (5 - 4 cos θ)]
as required.

I hope this helps!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K