Factorial Ratio for Interval of Convergence Calculation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the ratio of factorials, specifically (2n+1)!/(2n+3)!, in the context of determining the interval of convergence for a series. Participants express varying levels of familiarity with factorials and seek clarification on properties and simplifications related to them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking down factorial expressions to simplify the ratio. Some suggest using known identities for factorials to facilitate cancellation. Others express confusion and seek foundational properties of factorials.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered guidance on how to approach the simplification of the factorial ratio. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct simplification and its implications for the interval of convergence, with no explicit consensus reached on the final expression.

Contextual Notes

Some participants question the relevance of the factorial ratio to the interval of convergence calculation, indicating a potential misunderstanding or need for clarification on the problem's context.

queensu
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Homework Statement


Hi! I need to find ratio (2n+1)!/(2n+3)! for interval of convergence calculation.

Homework Equations


5! = 1*2*3*4*5

The Attempt at a Solution



i have no idea where to start since i have never dealt with factorials before.. if you just show me some kind off factorial property i can use ill be able to figure it out. wikipedia didnt help.
 
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5! = 5*4*3*2*1 and 4! = 4*3*2*1, so
5! = 5*4!
5! = 5*4*3!

n! = n*(n -1)!
n! = n*(n-1)*(n-2)!
and more generally, n! = n*(n-1)*(n-2)...3*2*1

See if you can break down (2n + 1)! and (2n + 3)! so you can cancel something.
 


oh.. awesome thanks a lot.
after very long thing of expanding that i got 1/ (2n+3)
 


Your answer is not quite right, and obtaining the correct one should not take much expanding. You only need to apply the identity n! = n*(n-1)*(n-2)! to the denominator.
 


(2n+3)=(2n+3)*(2(n-1)+1)! = 2n+3)*(2n-2+3)! =(2n+3)(2n+1)! ||| (2n+1)! cancels and I am left with 1/(2n+3)
 


You should have (2n+2) somewhere; looks like you factored out the 2 and then it got lost...
 


queensu said:

Homework Statement


Hi! I need to find ratio (2n+1)!/(2n+3)! for interval of convergence calculation.

Homework Equations


5! = 1*2*3*4*5

The Attempt at a Solution



i have no idea where to start since i have never dealt with factorials before.. if you just show me some kind off factorial property i can use ill be able to figure it out. wikipedia didnt help.

I think it is 1/(4n^2+10n+6)
 


Like Bohrok said,

5! = 5*4*3*2*1 and 4! = 4*3*2*1, so
5! = 5*4!
5! = 5*4*3!

Use this logic to simplify your question. :smile:
It would go like this:-

[tex]\frac{(2n+1)!}{(2n+3)(2n+2)(2n+1)!}[/tex]

Now cancel out (2n+1)! and you get:-

[tex]\frac{1}{(2n+3)(2n+2)}[/tex]

Done ! :wink:
 


Pranav-Arora said:
Like Bohrok said,

5! = 5*4*3*2*1 and 4! = 4*3*2*1, so
5! = 5*4!
5! = 5*4*3!

Use this logic to simplify your question. :smile:
It would go like this:-

[tex]\frac{(2n+1)!}{(2n+3)(2n+2)(2n+1)!}[/tex]

Now cancel out (2n+1)! and you get:-

[tex]\frac{1}{(2n+3)(2n+2)}[/tex]

Done ! :wink:

Umm... that can be simplified to 1/(4n^2+10n+6). From this, we can see that when and only when n=-1 or -1.5, (2n+1)!/(2n+3)!=infinity
 
Last edited:
  • #10


What did queensu mean by "for interval of convergence calculation"?
 

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