Finding the Centre and Radius of Convergence of Power Series: Explained

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the center and radius of convergence of a power series, specifically the series $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(4i)^n(z-i)^n}{(n+1)(n+2)}$$. Participants are exploring the application of the ratio test and the implications of the limit derived from it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the ratio test and question the limit resulting in $$4i(z-i)$$. There are inquiries about the necessity of dividing terms by n and the interpretation of the center being $$z=i$$. Some participants suggest substituting variables to clarify the limit.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and questioning assumptions about the ratio test's applicability to complex series. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the limit and the conditions for convergence, though no consensus has been reached on the implications of the results.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of considering absolute values in the context of complex numbers, highlighting potential misunderstandings about the nature of convergence in this setting.

MissP.25_5
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Hello.
I need someone to explain to me how to find the centre and radius of convergence of power series.
I got the working and the answers but there are some things I don't understand.

$$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(4i)^n(z-i)^n}{(n+1)(n+2)}$$

Using the ratio test, we got
$$\lim_{{n}\to{\infty}} \frac{4i(z-i)(n+1)}{n+3}$$=4i(z-i)

Ok, in this part, why is the limit 4i(z-i)? Don't we have to divide all the terms by n?

And the final answer is: $$R=1/4, z=i$$

Why does the centre become i?
 
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A power series expansion is an infinite series
\begin{equation*}
\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n (z-c)^n,
\end{equation*}
where ##a_n## are coefficients and ##c \in \mathbb{C}## is the center (the point we are expanding about).

I think you can figure out why
\begin{equation*}
\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{4i(z-i)(n+1)}{n+3} = 4i(z-i).
\end{equation*}
The easiest might be to substitute ##k = f(n)##, for some well-chosen function ##f##.
 
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MissP.25_5 said:
Hello.
I need someone to explain to me how to find the centre and radius of convergence of power series.
I got the working and the answers but there are some things I don't understand.

$$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(4i)^n(z-i)^n}{(n+1)(n+2)}$$

Using the ratio test, we got
$$\lim_{{n}\to{\infty}} \frac{4i(z-i)(n+1)}{n+3}$$=4i(z-i)
This is incorrect. The "ratio test" only applies to series of non-negative real numbers. In order to apply the ratio test to more general series, you must take the absolute value
\lim{m\to\infty} \frac{4|z- i|(n+1)}{n+ 3}= 4|z- i|\lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{n+1}{n+ 3}.

Ok, in this part, why is the limit 4i(z-i)? Don't we have to divide all the terms by n?
Well, what do you get when you "divide all term" of \frac{n+1}{n+ 3} by n?

And the final answer is: $$R=1/4, z=i$$

Why does the centre become i?
The "ratio" test says that series \sum a_n converges if \lim_{n\to\infty}\left|\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right|< 1. What is \lim_{\n to\infty}4|z- i|\frac{n+1}{n+ 3}? For what values of z is that less than 1?
 
HallsofIvy said:
Well, what do you get when you "divide all term" of \frac{n+1}{n+ 3} by n?


The "ratio" test says that series \sum a_n converges if \lim_{n\to\infty}\left|\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right|< 1. What is \lim_{\n to\infty}4|z- i|\frac{n+1}{n+ 3}? For what values of z is that less than 1?

The answer to your first question is 1 and for the second, z≤i. Right?
 
"z\le i" doesn't even make sense. The complex numbers are NOT an "ordered" field. You keep forgetting the absolute value!
 

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