Convergence of Arctan(t) Power Series at Endpoints

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of the power series for the arctangent function, specifically examining its behavior at the endpoints of the interval of convergence, which are ±1. The context is rooted in advanced calculus, focusing on series and their convergence properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the convergence of the series for arctan(t) and its implications at the endpoints of the interval. There is an exploration of the limit as x approaches 1 from the left and its relationship to ln(√(x+1)). Some participants suggest using Taylor series expansions to analyze the behavior of the functions involved.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering hints and exploring different approaches. There is an acknowledgment of the need to evaluate the series and consider their convergence properties, particularly at the endpoints. No explicit consensus has been reached, but several productive lines of inquiry are being pursued.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of checking the radius of convergence and the behavior of the series at the endpoints, indicating that this is a key aspect of the problem. There is also mention of the series for ln(x+1) and its convergence characteristics.

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Homework Statement



An exercise from advanced calculus by taylor :

attachment.php?attachmentid=57226&stc=1&d=1364515036.png


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



(a)

##\int_{0}^{x} tan^{-1}(t) dt = \int_{0}^{x} \sum_{n=0}^{∞} (-1)^n \frac{t^{2n+1}}{2n+1} dt = \sum_{n=0}^{∞} \frac{(-1)^n}{2n+1} \int_{0}^{x} t^{2n+1} dt = \sum_{n=0}^{∞} \frac{(-1)^n}{2n+1} \frac{x^{2n+2}}{2n+2}##

Now I won't plaster everything here, but this series appears to converge for ##|x| < 1## by the ratio test. The question asks me to pay special attention to the endpoints of the interval of convergence, namely ##±1##.

By some quick inspection, I see that at x = 1 the series will converge absolutely by p-comparison so that the series will be uniformly convergent on [0,1] by Abel's theorem.

At x = -1 the series appears to be absolutely convergent by p-comparison so that the series converges uniformly on [-1,0] by Abel's theorem once again.

This implies the series is uniformly convergent over the whole interval [-1,1].


(b)

I have no clue how to do part (b) for some reason though. I know that as ##x→1^-##, ##arctan(x)→π/4##

Not quite sure how to use this though.
 

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Zondrina said:

Homework Statement



An exercise from advanced calculus by taylor :

[ url]http://gyazo.com/42bad5b853d34bd2bcf504afa86a1397[/url]


Homework Equations


...
Here's an image of the problem:


attachment.php?attachmentid=57220&stc=1&d=1364497551.png
 

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  • 42bad5b853d34bd2bcf504afa86a1397.png
    42bad5b853d34bd2bcf504afa86a1397.png
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SammyS said:
Here's an image of the problem:


attachment.php?attachmentid=57220&stc=1&d=1364497551.png

Thanks Sammy.

I was thinking a moment ago for part (b).

Consider : ##lim_{x→1^-} \space arctan(x) - ln( \sqrt{x+1}) = lim_{x→1^-} \space arctan(x) - \frac{1}{2}ln(x+1)##

Perhaps that could be of some usage? I could convert each function into its equivalent Taylor series and I'll take a stab in the dark that things will start cancelling out.
 
^Just a hint, it's not a matter so much of cancelling as it is evaluating arctan(x) and 1/2 ln(x+1) and noticing a pattern. Whatever series you use, be mindful of where they are centered, by which I mean be mindful of your choice of z_0 in \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n(z-z_0)^n. If the series you're using are not given by your teacher or haven't been derived in class, you might want to state or show the radius of convergence and check endpoints.
 
Ocifer said:
^Just a hint, it's not a matter so much of cancelling as it is evaluating arctan(x) and 1/2 ln(x+1) and noticing a pattern. Whatever series you use, be mindful of where they are centered, by which I mean be mindful of your choice of z_0 in \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n(z-z_0)^n. If the series you're using are not given by your teacher or haven't been derived in class, you might want to state or show the radius of convergence and check endpoints.

That seems like more of a first year thing learning what ln(x+1) is in terms of its series.

##ln(x+1) = \sum_{n=1}^{∞} (-1)^{n+1} \frac{x^n}{n}## which i know will converge for x inside the interval (-1,1].

EDIT : Ohh so as x goes to 1 from the left, the desired result is achieved since the series for ln(x+1) converges for x in (-1,1].
 
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