Is there a formula for the square of an infinite sum?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on finding a formula for the square of a convergent infinite sum, specifically in the form of Σ a_n x^n. The Cauchy product is mentioned as a method to achieve this, although it results in a double sum, which some participants prefer to avoid. Despite this, it is acknowledged that using the Cauchy product is necessary if the result is to be expressed as a power series. Participants express a willingness to learn how to utilize the Cauchy product effectively. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the challenge of simplifying the square of an infinite sum without resorting to double summation.
Char. Limit
Gold Member
Messages
1,222
Reaction score
23
Given a general, convergent infinite sum, say, one like this:

\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n

Is there a formula for the square of such a sum? I looked at the Cauchy product, but I'd rather not get a double sum as an answer...
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Char. Limit said:
Given a general, convergent infinite sum, say, one like this:

\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n

Is there a formula for the square of such a sum? I looked at the Cauchy product, but I'd rather not get a double sum as an answer...

YMMV but I wouldn't call the Cauchy product a double sum. And if you wish to write the result as a power series, you're stuck with it. Those finite inner sums give the coefficients of ##x^n##. It is what it is.
 
LCKurtz said:
YMMV but I wouldn't call the Cauchy product a double sum. And if you wish to write the result as a power series, you're stuck with it. Those finite inner sums give the coefficients of ##x^n##. It is what it is.

Aww, well I guess if I need to use the Cauchy product I'll have to figure out how to use it... thanks for the help though!
 
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...
Suppose ,instead of the usual x,y coordinate system with an I basis vector along the x -axis and a corresponding j basis vector along the y-axis we instead have a different pair of basis vectors ,call them e and f along their respective axes. I have seen that this is an important subject in maths My question is what physical applications does such a model apply to? I am asking here because I have devoted quite a lot of time in the past to understanding convectors and the dual...
Thread 'Imaginary Pythagoras'
I posted this in the Lame Math thread, but it's got me thinking. Is there any validity to this? Or is it really just a mathematical trick? Naively, I see that i2 + plus 12 does equal zero2. But does this have a meaning? I know one can treat the imaginary number line as just another axis like the reals, but does that mean this does represent a triangle in the complex plane with a hypotenuse of length zero? Ibix offered a rendering of the diagram using what I assume is matrix* notation...

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
20
Views
2K
Back
Top