Expressing series in terms of a Power Series

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around expressing the function \( f(x) \) in terms of another function \( g(x) \) using power series. The original poster presents a series involving coefficients \( a_k \) and seeks to relate it to a simpler series representation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to manipulate the series for \( f(x) \) by breaking it down into components involving \( g(x) \). They express \( f(x) \) in terms of sums that include \( a_k \) and question the next steps, particularly regarding integration of the series.

Discussion Status

Some participants express confusion regarding the original poster's LaTeX formatting and the clarity of their workings. There is an ongoing exploration of how to relate \( f(x) \) to \( g(x) \), with one participant suggesting a change of summation index to simplify the expression for \( f(x) \).

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential issues with LaTeX rendering, which may affect understanding. The original poster indicates a belief that integration may be necessary to progress, but they have not found a successful approach thus far.

pkmpad
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Hello and thank you for trying to help.

In spite of the fact that this seems a very simple problem, I do not find myself able to get a solution. Here it goes:

Let $$f(x)=\displaystyle \sum_{k=3}^\infty a_k \frac{x^k}{k(k-1)(k-2)}$$ and $$g(x)=\displaystyle \sum_{k=0}^\infty a_k x^k$$. Express f(x) in terms of g(x).

My attempt has been to express f(x) as
$$\displaystyle\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}a_k\frac{x^k}{k(k-1)(k-2)}=\frac{1}{2}\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k}-\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k-1}+\frac{1}{2}\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k-2}$$

And then

$$f(x)=\frac{1}{2}\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k}-x\sum_{k=2}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k}+\frac{x^2}{2}\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k}$$

What should I do next? I suppose that I have to integrate those series, but I have already tried that and I have not been able to get any relationship with g(x).

Any help will be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
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Your LaTex is not displaying correctly. I have tried 2 different browsers. It looks like you have f(x) = Sum of (k=3 to infinity) (ak xk) / (k(k-1)(k-2)),
then g(x) = sum of (k=0 to infinity) (ak xk), then I get confused trying to follow your workings, after that.
 
scottdave said:
Your LaTex is not displaying correctly. I have tried 2 different browsers. It looks like you have f(x) = Sum of (k=3 to infinity) (ak xk) / (k(k-1)(k-2)),
then g(x) = sum of (k=0 to infinity) (ak xk), then I get confused trying to follow your workings, after that.

Corrected, thank you
 
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pkmpad said:
Hello and thank you for trying to help.

In spite of the fact that this seems a very simple problem, I do not find myself able to get a solution. Here it goes:

Let $$f(x)=\displaystyle \sum_{k=3}^\infty a_k \frac{x^k}{k(k-1)(k-2)}$$ and $$g(x)=\displaystyle \sum_{k=0}^\infty a_k x^k$$. Express f(x) in terms of g(x).

My attempt has been to express f(x) as
$$\displaystyle\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}a_k\frac{x^k}{k(k-1)(k-2)}=\frac{1}{2}\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k}-\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k-1}+\frac{1}{2}\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k-2}$$

And then

$$f(x)=\frac{1}{2}\sum_{k=3}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k}-x\sum_{k=2}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k}+\frac{x^2}{2}\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{a_k x^k}{k}$$

What should I do next? I suppose that I have to integrate those series, but I have already tried that and I have not been able to get any relationship with g(x).

Any help will be appreciated.

Using summation index ##j = k-2## your sum becomes
$$f(x) = \sum_{j=1}^{\infty} a_{j+2} \frac{x^{j+2}}{j(j+1)(j+2)}$$
 

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