Calculating the Value of an Infinite Series

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
2 replies · 2K views
tommyhakinen
Messages
34
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


What is the value of:
1 + [tex](\frac{1}{3})^{2}[/tex] + [tex](\frac{1}{5})^{2}[/tex] + [tex](\frac{1}{7})^{2}[/tex] + [tex](\frac{1}{9})^{2}[/tex] + ...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Use the following:
[tex] \sum_{i=1}^\infty \left(\frac{1}{2i}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{4}\sum_{i=1}^\infty \frac{1}{i^2}.[/tex]​

You will need to rely on the fact that the series converges absolutely. (Why?)
 
Tedjn said:
Use the following:
[tex] \sum_{i=1}^\infty \left(\frac{1}{2i}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{4}\sum_{i=1}^\infty \frac{1}{i^2}.[/tex]​

You will need to rely on the fact that the series converges absolutely. (Why?)

That won't work. The series in question has squares of odd numbers in the denominator.

Let the given series be S. Now, let us assume that there is another series K which is the sum of all the inverse squares of the even numbers till infinity.

Now, [tex]S+K=\sum \frac{1}{i^2}[/tex]

This series K is the series that Tedgin pointed out. You can calculate S+K, and K. Subtract the two and you get your answer.