Can any one give me the derivation of this series

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter dexterdev
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Derivation Series
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the derivation of the series \( X = 1 + 2n + 3n^2 + 4n^3 + \ldots \), exploring both the summation of this series and the derivation of Taylor series. Participants express doubts and seek clarification on the concepts involved, including the conditions for convergence and the relationship between Maclaurin and Taylor series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question what is meant by "derivation" of a series and discuss the conditions under which the sum converges.
  • There is a suggestion that finding the sum of the series is typically difficult, and confusion arises regarding the use of Taylor series in this context.
  • One participant mentions that the Maclaurin series is a special case of the Taylor series and that they function similarly.
  • Another participant expresses curiosity about the purpose of finding a formula for the finite sum of the series, noting its relevance in engineering.
  • Hints are provided regarding the relationship between the series and its derivative, as well as a method involving the computation of \( nX(n) \) to derive the series sum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to derive the series or clarify the meaning of "derivation." Multiple competing views and methods are presented, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions needed for convergence and the definitions of the series and functions involved. The relationship between different types of series (Maclaurin and Taylor) is also not fully explored.

dexterdev
Messages
194
Reaction score
1
Hi PF,

I have 2 doubts :

1. Can anyone give me the derivation of series below :

X = 1 + 2n + 3 n^2 + 4 n^3 + .....

2. I can do this series reverse if the result is given, using Mc'laurin series, but then came doubt regarding derivation of Taylor series. How do we derive Taylor series equation actually.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you mean by "derivation" of a series?
$$X=1+2n+3n^2+4n^3+... = \sum_{i=0}^\infty (i+1)n^i$$
... under what conditions will the sum converge?

The MacLauran series is a special case of the Taylor series.
They work the same way - if you can do one, you can do the other.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_series
 
If you mean "find the sum", that is typically extremely difficult. I am puzzled by your use of "Taylor's" series to "find the series" from the sum. The Taylors series is a series of functions, not a numerical series as you have here.
 
dexterdev said:
Hi PF,

I have 2 doubts :

1. Can anyone give me the derivation of series below :

X = 1 + 2n + 3 n^2 + 4 n^3 + .....

2. I can do this series reverse if the result is given, using Mc'laurin series, but then came doubt regarding derivation of Taylor series. How do we derive Taylor series equation actually.

Simon Bridge said:
What do you mean by "derivation" of a series?
$$X=1+2n+3n^2+4n^3+... = \sum_{i=0}^\infty (i+1)n^i$$
... under what conditions will the sum converge?

The MacLauran series is a special case of the Taylor series.
They work the same way - if you can do one, you can do the other.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_series

HallsofIvy said:
If you mean "find the sum", that is typically extremely difficult. I am puzzled by your use of "Taylor's" series to "find the series" from the sum. The Taylors series is a series of functions, not a numerical series as you have here.

If I'm not mistaken, Dexterdev, you are trying to find a formula for the finite sum of the above-mentioned series? Sure this could be difficult. But just out of curiousity, why would you want to find the formula for this sum?
 
Vahsek said:
If I'm not mistaken, Dexterdev, you are trying to find a formula for the finite sum of the above-mentioned series? Sure this could be difficult. But just out of curiousity, why would you want to find the formula for this sum?

I want the sum because this is appearing somewhere in engineering (switching theory I believe), my friend asked for the "derivation" of series sum of infinite series.

She has its end result from the textbook ie 1/((1-n)^2) , provided |n|<1

I did the reverse using Taylor series ie from 1/((1-n)^2) , I got back the series. but how to arrive it other way?
 
dexterdev said:
Hi PF,

I have 2 doubts :

1. Can anyone give me the derivation of series below :

X = 1 + 2n + 3 n^2 + 4 n^3 + .....

2. I can do this series reverse if the result is given, using Mc'laurin series, but then came doubt regarding derivation of Taylor series. How do we derive Taylor series equation actually.

Hints:

What sort of series is ##1 + n + n^2 + n^3 + ...## for ##|n| < 1##?

If you represent the above series as a function of n, say ##S(n)##, what is its derivative ##S'(n)##?

Can you proceed from here?

Another well known way is to compute ##nX(n)## (##X(n)## represents your original series), then figure out what happens when you take ##X(n) - nX(n)## term by term. That's called the method of differences.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
17K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K