Classifying Series Summation $$ \sum_{i=0}^{n} 2^{2^i} ~ ?$$

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the classification of the series summation $$ \sum_{i=0}^{n} 2^{2^i} $$ and its properties. Participants explore whether it fits into known categories of series, such as geometric series, and consider its potential for convergence and representation through power series or other mathematical constructs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the classification of the series, suggesting it does not appear to be geometric and may lack an algebraic approximation.
  • Another participant proposes the term "double exponential" as a possible classification.
  • A third participant references external literature on power towers, which may provide relevant context or insights into the series.
  • Another participant connects the question to a related problem of the week, discussing the use of logarithms and series expansion to analyze the series.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the classification of the series. Multiple viewpoints and approaches are presented, indicating ongoing exploration and debate.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of missing assumptions regarding convergence and the nature of the series. The discussion also touches on the potential for interchanging summations and the implications of using logarithmic transformations.

Gear300
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I am asking on the spur, so there has not been too much thought put into it, but how would we classify a series summation such as $$ \sum_{i=0}^{n} 2^{2^i} ~ ?$$ It does not feel to be geometric, nor that it can be made to be geometric. In general, the function xx does not look like it bears a Taylor expansion, so I don't think it even has an algebraic approximation (in which case, I doubt it could be the root of a power series either).

I was considering the case |q| < 1, where if we took an infinite product of a summation $$ \sum_{i=0}^{n} q^{2^i} ~ ?$$ in some particular way, we might have a convergent power series (or vice versa). Is there already literature on this sort of thing?
 
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Your question seems to, curiously, be related to the problem of the week.

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/intermediate-math-problem-of-the-week-12-11-2017.934137/

specifically, if you take the log of the infinite product to convert to infinite series, recognize you're in radius of convergence for natural log, expand the series (giving you ##\sum\sum##), and upper bound ##\frac{1}{
2^{2^n}+2^{-2^n}} \leq
\frac{1}{
2^{2^n}}## and then interchange the summations...
 

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