Finding a formula for the multiplication of multiple formal power series

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a formula for the multiplication of three formal power series. Participants explore the structure of the coefficients and the indices involved in the multiplication process, focusing on how to represent these in a summation format. The conversation includes technical reasoning and mathematical expressions related to power series.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a multiplication of three power series and provides initial terms for constant, linear, and quadratic terms, questioning how to express the indices in a general form.
  • Another participant suggests a general term for the product of the series, indicating that the power of x is the sum of the indices, and provides examples for specific powers, questioning if their interpretation aligns with the original query.
  • A later reply clarifies the need for the indices to sum to the power of x, providing a formula for the product of two series and asking how to extend this to three series.
  • Further clarification is provided with a formula for the product of three series, emphasizing the correct indexing for the coefficients involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the original question, with some focusing on the general structure of the multiplication while others emphasize the correct indexing for the coefficients. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best way to express the multiplication of three power series.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the clarity of how to extend the multiplication formula from two power series to three, and the discussion reflects varying levels of understanding regarding the indexing involved.

cbarker1
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Dear Everyone,

I am having trouble with finding a formula of the multiplication 3 formula power series.
\[ \left(\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_nx^n \right)\left(\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} b_kx^k \right)\left(\sum_{m=0}^{\infty} c_mx^m \right) \]

Work:

For the constant term:
$a_0b_0c_0$

For The linear term : $(a_1 b_0 c_0 + a_0 b_1 c_0 + a_0 b_0 c_1)x$ + $a_0b_0c_0$

For the quadratic term: $a_2 b_2 c_2 x^6 + a_2 b_2 c_1 x^5 + a_2 b_1 c_2 x^5 + a_1 b_2 c_2 x^5 + a_2 b_2 c_0 x^4 + a_2 b_1 c_1 x^4 + a_1 b_2 c_1 x^4 + a_2 b_0 c_2 x^4 + a_1 b_1 c_2 x^4 + a_0 b_2 c_2 x^4 + a_2 b_1 c_0 x^3 + a_1 b_2 c_0 x^3 + a_2 b_0 c_1 x^3 + a_1 b_1 c_1 x^3 + a_0 b_2 c_1 x^3 + a_1 b_0 c_2 x^3 + a_0 b_1 c_2 x^3 + a_2 b_0 c_0 x^2 + a_1 b_1 c_0 x^2 + a_0 b_2 c_0 x^2 + a_1 b_0 c_1 x^2 + a_0 b_1 c_1 x^2 + a_0 b_0 c_2 x^2 + a_1 b_0 c_0 x + a_0 b_1 c_0 x + a_0 b_0 c_1 x + a_0 b_0 c_0$

I am seeing that the indexes are summing up to the power of x. But how to say that in the indexes?

Thanks,
Cbarker1
 
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Say we want to work with the terms [mat]a_2 x^2, ~ b_5 x^5, ~ c_3 x^2[/math]. The product of these terms is [math]a_2 b_5 c_3 x^{10}[/math]. If we have a more general term [math]a_i x^i b_j x^j c_k x^k = a_i b_j c_k x^{i + j + k}[/math] you can see the pattern. i + j + k is the power of x involved. Since all we need is the sum we get coefficients [math]a_i b_j c_k, ~ a_j b_k c_i, \text{ etc.}[/math], and we also get any other set of indicies were i + j + k are all the same number, the power of x.

For example, say we want the coefficient of the quartic term of x: [math]a_1 b_1 c_2 + a_1 b_2 c_1 + a_2 b_1 c_1[/math]

Or for the 6th power [math]a_1 b_1 c_4 + a_1 b_2 c_3 + a_1 b_3 c_2 + \text{ ...}[/math].

Does that help? Or am I misinterpreting your question?

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
Say we want to work with the terms [mat]a_2 x^2, ~ b_5 x^5, ~ c_3 x^2[/math]. The product of these terms is [math]a_2 b_5 c_3 x^{10}[/math]. If we have a more general term [math]a_i x^i b_j x^j c_k x^k = a_i b_j c_k x^{i + j + k}[/math] you can see the pattern. i + j + k is the power of x involved. Since all we need is the sum we get coefficients [math]a_i b_j c_k, ~ a_j b_k c_i, \text{ etc.}[/math], and we also get any other set of indicies were i + j + k are all the same number, the power of x.

For example, say we want the coefficient of the quartic term of x: [math]a_1 b_1 c_2 + a_1 b_2 c_1 + a_2 b_1 c_1[/math]

Or for the 6th power [math]a_1 b_1 c_4 + a_1 b_2 c_3 + a_1 b_3 c_2 + \text{ ...}[/math].

Does that help? Or am I misinterpreting your question?

-Dan

I think you misinterpreted my question. For instance, if I have $A$ and $B$ where $A=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_nx^n$ and $B=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} b_kx^k$, then $$AB=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\left(\sum_{k=0}^{n} a_nb_{k-n} \right)x^n$$. How can I do the index for the sum with power series?
 
From my previous post: How can I do the indices for the sum with 3 power series through the product? I am still confuse by how 3 would work based on the product of 2 power series...
 
Cbarker1 said:
For instance, if I have $A$ and $B$ where $A=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_nx^n$ and $B=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} b_kx^k$, then $$AB=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\left(\sum_{k=0}^{n} a_{\color{red}k}b_{\color{red}n-k} \right)x^n.$$ How can I do the index for the sum with power series?
Notice that you have got the indices wrong. For the coefficient of $x^n$ you want the subscripts on $a$ and $b$ to add up to $n$.[/color]

Along the same lines, $$ABC=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\left(\sum_{k=0}^{n}\left(\sum_{j=0}^{n-k} a_kb_{j}c_{n-k-j} \right)\right)x^n.$$
 

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