A problem with sums 1+2+3+4+5+6

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter zetafunction
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Sums
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 2K views
zetafunction
Messages
371
Reaction score
0
using an exponential regulator [tex]exp(-\epsilon n)[/tex] the sum

[tex]1+2+3+4+5+6+7+...= -1/12+ 1/\epsilon^{2}[/tex]

and for Casimir effect [tex]1+8+27+64+125+...= -1/120+ 1/\epsilon^{4}[/tex]

can i simply remove in the calculations of divergent series 1+2+3+4+5.. and similar the epsilon terms imposing renormalization conditions ??

how about for the rest of sums [tex]1+2^{m}+3^{m}+...= \zeta (-m) + 1/\epsilon ^{m+1}[/tex]

if i introducte a power regulator [tex]n^{-s}[/tex] in the limit s-->0+ i would get

[tex]\zeta(s-m)=\zeta(-m)[/tex] but i am not sure, why this work

for example in the definition of a functional determinant (in differential geommetry )

[tex]\prod_{i} \lambda_{i}[/tex] apparently there is no divergent term proportional to [tex]log(\epsilon)[/tex] as one would expect since the product is divergent
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Now I see the series, a related problem comes from Conway via Baez:
Let [tex] 1+2^{m}+3^{m}+...+ N^m= U^m[/tex]
For which values of N, m do we get an integer value for U?

In some strange way, string theory relates the solution N=24 (or 26?), m=2 with the regulation of N=infinity, m=1
 
Last edited: