MHB Find the exact sum of the series 1/(1⋅2⋅3⋅4)+1/(5⋅6⋅7⋅8)+....

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The discussion centers on finding the exact sum of the series S = 1/(1⋅2⋅3⋅4) + 1/(5⋅6⋅7⋅8) + ..., with participants expressing appreciation for the problem and each other's contributions. One user acknowledges the similarity of their solution to another's, indicating a collaborative atmosphere. There is a reference to a previous encounter with the problem, suggesting it may have been part of a competition. Overall, the thread highlights engagement and mutual support among participants in solving the mathematical series. The conversation reflects a positive community focused on problem-solving.
lfdahl
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Find the exact sum of the series:

$$S = \frac{1}{1\cdot 2\cdot 3\cdot 4}+\frac{1}{5 \cdot 6 \cdot 7 \cdot 8}+...$$
 
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First observe that the sum is $\displaystyle \sum_{k \ge 0} \frac{(4k)!}{(4k+4)!}$ and more crucially recall that $\displaystyle \text{B}(x,y)=\frac{\Gamma(x)\,\Gamma(y)}{\Gamma(x+y)}$.
Write $\displaystyle \frac{(4k)!}{(4k+4)!} = \frac{\Gamma(4k+1)}{\Gamma(4k+5)} = \frac{\Gamma(4k+1)\Gamma(4)}{3! ~\Gamma(4k+5)} = \frac{1}{6}\text{B}(4k+1, 4) = \frac{1}{6}\int_0^1t^{4k}(1-t)^{3}\,{dt}$ so

$\displaystyle \sum_{k \ge 0} \frac{(4k)!}{(4k+4)!} = \sum_{k \ge 0} \frac{1}{6}\int_0^1t^{4k}(1-t)^{3}\,{dt} = \frac{1}{6}\int_0^1\sum_{k \ge 0} t^{4k}(1-t)^{3}\,{dt} = \frac{1}{6}\int_0^1 \frac{(1-t)^3}{1-t^4}\,{dt}.$

The integral easily evaluates to $\displaystyle \frac{1}{4} \left(\log(64)-\pi\right) $ so the value sought is $\displaystyle \frac{1}{24} \left(\log(64)-\pi\right).$
 
June29 said:
First observe that the sum is $\displaystyle \sum_{k \ge 0} \frac{(4k)!}{(4k+4)!}$ and more crucially recall that $\displaystyle \text{B}(x,y)=\frac{\Gamma(x)\,\Gamma(y)}{\Gamma(x+y)}$.
Write $\displaystyle \frac{(4k)!}{(4k+4)!} = \frac{\Gamma(4k+1)}{\Gamma(4k+5)} = \frac{\Gamma(4k+1)\Gamma(4)}{3! ~\Gamma(4k+5)} = \frac{1}{6}\text{B}(4k+1, 4) = \frac{1}{6}\int_0^1t^{4k}(1-t)^{3}\,{dt}$ so

$\displaystyle \sum_{k \ge 0} \frac{(4k)!}{(4k+4)!} = \sum_{k \ge 0} \frac{1}{6}\int_0^1t^{4k}(1-t)^{3}\,{dt} = \frac{1}{6}\int_0^1\sum_{k \ge 0} t^{4k}(1-t)^{3}\,{dt} = \frac{1}{6}\int_0^1 \frac{(1-t)^3}{1-t^4}\,{dt}.$

The integral easily evaluates to $\displaystyle \frac{1}{4} \left(\log(64)-\pi\right) $ so the value sought is $\displaystyle \frac{1}{24} \left(\log(64)-\pi\right).$

Well done, June29! Thankyou for your participation.

Maybe you will share with the forum, your evaluation of the last integral in your solution?
 
lfdahl said:
Well done, June29! Thankyou for your participation.

Maybe you will share with the forum, your evaluation of the last integral in your solution?
Thank you for the wonderful problems you post!

$$\displaystyle \frac{(1-x)^3}{1-x^4} = \frac{(1-x)^3}{(1-x)(1+x)(1+x^2)} = \frac{(1-x)^2}{(1+x)(1+x^2)}$$

Write $(1-x)^2 = 1-2x+x^2 = 2(1+x^2)-(1+x)^2$

It becomes $ \displaystyle \frac{2(1+x^2)-(1+x)^2}{(1+x)(1+x^2)} = \frac{2}{1+x}-\frac{1+x}{1+x^2}$

or $\displaystyle \frac{2}{1+x}-\frac{1}{1+x^2}-\frac{1}{2}\frac{2x}{1+x^2}$, which readily integrates to

$\displaystyle 2 \log(1+x)-\arctan(x)-\frac{1}{2}\log(1+x^2)\bigg|_0^{1} = \frac{1}{4}(\log(64)-\pi). $

I'd be interested in your solution if it isn't the same as mine.
 
June29 said:
Thank you for the wonderful problems you post!

$$\displaystyle \frac{(1-x)^3}{1-x^4} = \frac{(1-x)^3}{(1-x)(1+x)(1+x^2)} = \frac{(1-x)^2}{(1+x)(1+x^2)}$$

Write $(1-x)^2 = 1-2x+x^2 = 2(1+x^2)-(1+x)^2$

It becomes $ \displaystyle \frac{2(1+x^2)-(1+x)^2}{(1+x)(1+x^2)} = \frac{2}{1+x}-\frac{1+x}{1+x^2}$

or $\displaystyle \frac{2}{1+x}-\frac{1}{1+x^2}-\frac{1}{2}\frac{2x}{1+x^2}$, which readily integrates to

$\displaystyle 2 \log(1+x)-\arctan(x)-\frac{1}{2}\log(1+x^2)\bigg|_0^{1} = \frac{1}{4}(\log(64)-\pi). $

I'd be interested in your solution if it isn't the same as mine.

Thankyou for your kind words, and for showing the last part of your solution! I guess, there is no need to post the suggested solution, since it is very close to yours!(Nod)
 
Wait... I actually came across this problem years ago (IMC, right?)! (Giggle)
Generalisation: $$\displaystyle \sum_{k \ge 0 }\prod_{1 \le r \le j}\frac{1}{(n k+r)} = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{n(j-1)!}\sum_{0 \le r < j}\binom{j-1}{r}\frac{(-1)^r \Gamma( \frac{r+1}{n})}{\Gamma(\frac{r+1 }{n}+\frac{1}{2})} $$

Cause LHS can be written as $\displaystyle \frac{1}{(j-1)!}\int_{0}^{1}\frac{(1-t)^{j-1}}{1-t^n}\;{dt}$ (same as before).

We can also prove the OP via partial fractions alone, but it's quite laborious!
 
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