What is Power series: Definition and 642 Discussions

In mathematics, a power series (in one variable) is an infinite series of the form

where an represents the coefficient of the nth term and c is a constant. Power series are useful in mathematical analysis, where they arise as Taylor series of infinitely differentiable functions. In fact, Borel's theorem implies that every power series is the Taylor series of some smooth function.
In many situations c (the center of the series) is equal to zero, for instance when considering a Maclaurin series. In such cases, the power series takes the simpler form

Beyond their role in mathematical analysis, power series also occur in combinatorics as generating functions (a kind of formal power series) and in electronic engineering (under the name of the Z-transform). The familiar decimal notation for real numbers can also be viewed as an example of a power series, with integer coefficients, but with the argument x fixed at 1⁄10. In number theory, the concept of p-adic numbers is also closely related to that of a power series.

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  1. yecko

    2nd order differential equation with power series

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Power series The Attempt at a Solution As I have to write in form of "x^2n" & "x^2n+1", I am totally have no idea with how can I go on to do the question. Those I have learned in lecture and online are mostly with only one part of summation... or two...
  2. C

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  3. N

    Power Series Equation for Amplifier and Harmonics

    Hi, I keep reading in multiple sources that amplifier output can be given by Vout = a0 + a1v(t) + a2v2(t) + a3v3(t) + ... + anvn(t) I've checked in three of my textbooks and there is not a clear definition (its often just stated) why this equation is used and why it works. I am not looking...
  4. T

    MHB Power Series Convergence Assistance

    The power series $$\sum_{n = 2}^\infty \frac{(n-1)(-1)^n}{n!}$$ converges to what number? So far, I've tried using the Ratio Test and the limit as n approaches infinity equals $0$. Also since $L<1$, the power series converges by the Ratio Test.
  5. J

    Finding the singular points for this differential equation

    Homework Statement If d^2/dx^2 + ln(x)y = 0[/B]Homework Equations included in attempt The Attempt at a Solution I was confused as to whether I include the power series for ln(x) in the solution. It makes comparing coefficients very nasty though. Whenever I expand for m=0 for the a0 I end...
  6. T

    Analysis of the entropy S of an arbritary system can be written as a power series?

    Is it ok to assume that the entropy ##S## of an arbritary system can be written as a power series as a function of the system's internal energy ##U##? Like $$S(U) = \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}a_iU^i = a_1 U + a_2 U^2 + \ ...$$ with ##a_i \in \mathbb{R}##. What results could be obtained from such...
  7. P

    Expressing series in terms of a Power Series

    Hello and thank you for trying to help. In spite of the fact that this seems a very simple problem, I do not find myself able to get a solution. Here it goes: Let $$f(x)=\displaystyle \sum_{k=3}^\infty a_k \frac{x^k}{k(k-1)(k-2)}$$ and $$g(x)=\displaystyle \sum_{k=0}^\infty a_k x^k$$. Express...
  8. jaketodd

    I Cardinality of the Power Series of an Infinite Set

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  9. karush

    MHB Find Power Series Representation for $g$: Interval of Convergence

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  10. M

    MHB Power series and uniform convergence.

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  11. PhysicsCollegeGirl

    Master Power Series Convergence with Expert Help - Examples Included

    Homework Statement [/B] There are three problems that I am struggling with. 1. ∑[k2(x-2)k]/[3k] 2. ∑[(x-4)n]/[(n)(-9)n] 3. ∑[2k(x-3)k]/[k(k+1)] The Attempt at a Solution On the first two I am having problems finding the end-points of the interval of convergence. I use the ratio test. 1...
  12. Eclair_de_XII

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  13. Mr Davis 97

    Proving the Power Series Expansion of 1/(1+x^2)

    Homework Statement Show that ##\displaystyle \frac{1}{1+x^2} = \frac{1}{x^2} - \frac{1}{x^4} + \frac{1}{x^6} - \frac{1}{x^8} + \cdots## Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I know that the power series expansion of ##\displaystyle \frac{1}{1+x^2}## about ##x=0## is ##1-x^2 + x^4 - x^6 +...
  14. uchuu-man chi

    Need help evaluating an improper integral as a power series.

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  15. N

    I Power series - Different problem

    In the power series below, I've used the ratio test and at the end I got |x-2| times infinity which is >1 so it diverges.. and in this case there is no interval of convergence because it's times inifnity.. How did he conclude that it converges at x=2??
  16. N

    I Absolute Power Series: Questions & Solutions

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  17. JamesonS

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    Homework Statement \begin{equation} (1-x)y^{"}+y = 0 \end{equation} I am here but do not understand how to combine the two summations: Mod note: Fixed LaTeX in following equation. $$(1-x)\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(n+2)(n+1)a_{n+2}x^n+\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_nx^n = 0$$
  18. ExplosivePete

    Power Series expansion of an eigenvalue

    1. ... Expand the Eigenvalue as a power series in epsilon, up to second order: λ=[3+√(1+4 ε^2)]V0 / 2 Homework Equations I am familiar with power series, but I don't know how to expand this as one.[/B]The Attempt at a Solution :[/B] I have played around with the idea of using known power...
  19. M

    Find the power series in x-x0?

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  20. B

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    Homework Statement Homework Equations Ratio test. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] I guess I'm now uncertain how to check my interval of convergence (whether the interval contains -2 and 2)...I've been having troubles with this in all of the problems given to me. Do I substitute -2 back...
  21. karush

    MHB 206.r2.11find the power series representation

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  22. karush

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  23. F

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  24. karush

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  25. Battlemage!

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    Homework Statement The problem asks to use a substitution y(x) to turn a series dependent on a real number x into a power series and then find the interval of convergence. \sum_{n=0}^\infty ( \sqrt{x^2+1})^n \frac{2^n }{3^n + n^3} Homework Equations After making a substitution, the book...
  26. M

    Find the power series in x-xo?

    Homework Statement Find the power series in x-x0 for the general solution of y"-y=0; x0=3. Homework Equations None. The Attempt at a Solution I'll post my work by uploading it.
  27. Elvis 123456789

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    Homework Statement An object of mass m is initially at rest and is subject to a time-dependent force given by F = kte^(-λt), where k and λ are constants. a) Find v(t) and x(t). b) Show for small t that v = 1/2 *k/m t^2 and x = 1/6 *k/m t^3. c) Find the object’s terminal velocity. Homework...
  28. W

    Change a variable to transform a series into a power series

    Homework Statement The following series are not power series, but you can transform each one into a power series by a change of variable and so find out where it converges. ∑∞0 ((3n(n+1)) / (x+1)n Homework Equations a power series is a series of the form: a0 + a1x + a2x^2 ... + ... The...
  29. J

    MHB Power Series Problem: Solve f(3x) = 1/(1 - 3x)

    So here is the problem I am trying to solve: You can combine two (or more) convergent power series on the same interval I. Using the properties of the geometric series, find the power series of the function below. Series: f(x) = 1/(1 - x) = sigma k = 0, infinity = 1+ x + x^2 + x^3 Function...
  30. M

    Find the power series in x for the general solution of (1+2x^2)y"+7xy'+2y=0

    Homework Statement Find the power series in x for the general solution of (1+2x^2)y"+7xy'+2y=0. Homework Equations None. The Attempt at a Solution I'll post my whole work.
  31. T

    MHB Differentiating a power series

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  32. M

    Find the power series in x for the general solution of?

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  33. Houeto

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  34. mertcan

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  35. F

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  36. nfcfox

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  37. S

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  38. S

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  39. faradayscat

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  40. ReidMerrill

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    Homework Statement Represent the function (8x)/(6+x) as a power serioes f(x)=∑cnxn Find c0 c1 c2 c3 c4 Radius of convergence R= Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I've represented this function as (8x/9)∑(-x/6)n and found I-x/6I <1 so R=6 Through pure guessing I discovered c0=0 but...
  41. JulienB

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    Homework Statement Hi everybody! I'm a little struggling to fully understand the idea of radius of convergence of a function, can somebody help me a little? Are some examples I found in old exams at my university: Calculate the radius of convergence of the following power series: a)...
  42. Theengr7

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  43. nfcfox

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  44. NihalRi

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  45. Odious Suspect

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  46. F

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  47. Euler2718

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  48. Daniel Lobo

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  49. I

    MHB Interval of Convergence for Power Series

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  50. ognik

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