Finding the convergence of a binomial expansion

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the convergence of the binomial expansion of the expression ##(1+3x-4x^2)^{0.5}/(1-2x)^2##. Participants establish that convergence occurs within the common regions defined by the inequalities ##-1 < 3x-4x^2 < 1## and ##-1 < 2x < 1##. The correct interval of convergence is identified as ##-1/4 < x < 1/4##, although some participants note that this range may not be symmetric around zero. The discussion also highlights the use of the ratio test and the implications of substituting variables in power series.

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chwala
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Homework Statement


Expand ##(1+3x-4x^2)^{0.5}/(1-2x)^2## find its convergence value

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


on expansion
##(1+3/2x-3.125x^2+4.6875x^3+...)(1+4x+12x^2+32x^3+...)##
##1+5.5x+14.875x^2+42.1875x^3+... ##
how do i prove for convergence here?
 
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chwala said:

Homework Statement


Expand ##(1+3x-4x^2)^{0.5}/(1-2x)^2## find its convergence value

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


on expansion
##(1+3/2x-3.125x^2+4.6875x^3+...)(1+4x+12x^2+32x^3+...)##
##1+5.5x+14.875x^2+42.1875x^3+... ##
how do i prove for convergence here?
The series will converge in the common convergence regions of ##\sqrt{1+3x-4x^2}## and ##(1-2x)^{-2}##. So, for the first factor, convergence occurs if ##-1 < 3x-4x^2 < 1## and for the second factor if ##-1 < 2x < 1##. After that, finding the actual series does not look very easy, although getting the first few terms is not too hard.
 
Ray Vickson said:
The series will converge in the common convergence regions of ##\sqrt{1+3x-4x^2}## and ##(1-2x)^{-2}##. So, for the first factor, convergence occurs if ##-1 < 3x-4x^2 < 1## and for the second factor if ##-1 < 2x < 1##. After that, finding the actual series does not look very easy, although getting the first few terms is not too hard.
I am not getting sir, still seeing blanks. are you using ratio test or what? what's the difference in using this tests and using... say, Mean value theorem or liapunov function in checking for convergence?
 
chwala said:
I am not getting sir, still seeing blanks. are you using ratio test or what? what's the difference in using this tests and using... say, Mean value theorem or liapunov function in checking for convergence?

We know when the binomial series for ##(1+u)^{1/2}## converges---for example, by using the ratio test on ##|u|##. We know when the binomial series for ##(1+v)^{-2}## converges---for example, by the ratio test on ##|v|##. Now just put ##u = 2x - 4 x^2## and ##v = -2x.##
 
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ok by ratio theorem,
on ## |v|= |2x|##
using the ratio test , arent we going to have ##L= Lim n→∞ |2(n+1)/(2n)|=1?##
test fails?
 
chwala said:
ok by ratio theorem,
on ## |v|= |2x|##
using the ratio test , arent we going to have ##L= Lim n→∞ |2(n+1)/(2n)|=1?##
test fails?

I asked what the convergence region was for ##(1+v)^{-2}##; there is no ##x## anywhere in that expression!

Anyway, the ratio test must involve the value of ##v## somehow. Surely there is a difference between ##\sum_n c_n 0^n## and ##\sum_n c_n 100^n##, is there not? Whether or not the series ##\sum_n c_n v^n## converges will almost always depend on what is ##v##.
 
now from my research,
## {(1+3x-4x^2)^{0.5}}/{(1-2x)^2}= (1-x)^{0.5} (1+4x)^{0.5}(1-2x)^-2##
now the terms on the rhs are similar to the maclaurin series , now on using ratio test...## (1+x)^k## will have the interval of convergence being
##(1+x)^k = -1<x<1##
similarly,
##(1-x)^{0.5}= -1<(-x)<1##
##(1+4x)^{0.5}= -1<(4x)<1##
##(1-2x)^-2= -1<(-2x)<1##
the radius of convergence of all the three expansions coming to
##-0.25<x<0.25## all centred at ##0##
confirm whether this is true, bingo from Africa.
 
Ray Vickson said:
I asked what the convergence region was for ##(1+v)^{-2}##; there is no ##x## anywhere in that expression!

Anyway, the ratio test must involve the value of ##v## somehow. Surely there is a difference between ##\sum_n c_n 0^n## and ##\sum_n c_n 100^n##, is there not? Whether or not the series ##\sum_n c_n v^n## converges will almost always depend on what is ##v##.
maybe you should have hinted the maclaurin series, its straight forward and to the point..
 
chwala said:
maybe you should have hinted the maclaurin series, its straight forward and to the point..
It is not up to me to contradict you: YOU used the term "binomial expansion" in the title of your thread, and I just went along with that.

Anyway, your region ##-1/4 < x < 1/4## is partly correct: it is correct on one side, but too narrow on the other side. The actual convergence region is not symmetric about ##x = 0##.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Ray Vickson said:
It is not up to me to contradict you: YOU used the term "binomial expansion" in the title of your thread, and I just went along with that.

Anyway, your region ##-1/x < x < 1/4## is partly correct: it is correct on one side, but too narrow on the other side. The actual convergence region is not symmetric about ##x = 0##.
just check ## (-1/x)?## probably you meant ##(-1/4)## why is it wrong just explain ...
 
  • #11
Ray Vickson said:
It is not up to me to contradict you: YOU used the term "binomial expansion" in the title of your thread, and I just went along with that.

Anyway, your region ##-1/x < x < 1/4## is partly correct: it is correct on one side, but too narrow on the other side. The actual convergence region is not symmetric about ##x = 0##.
i appreciate bro, as an expert maybe you should concentrate more on the body of the problem rather than title, i am learning this things...thats why i come to forum for guidance...
 
  • #12
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  • #14
chwala said:
i appreciate bro, as an expert maybe you should concentrate more on the body of the problem rather than title, i am learning this things...thats why i come to forum for guidance...

If you know about the Maclauren expansion you do not need me to tell you about it. Besides, I have already given you all the hints you need in post #2. The rest is up to you!
 
  • #15
chwala said:
now from my research,
## {(1+3x-4x^2)^{0.5}}/{(1-2x)^2}= (1-x)^{0.5} (1+4x)^{0.5}(1-2x)^-2##
now the terms on the rhs are similar to the maclaurin series , now on using ratio test...## (1+x)^k## will have the interval of convergence being
##(1+x)^k = -1<x<1##
similarly,
##(1-x)^{0.5}= -1<(-x)<1##
##(1+4x)^{0.5}= -1<(4x)<1##
##(1-2x)^-2= -1<(-2x)<1##
the radius of convergence of all the three expansions coming to
##-0.25<x<0.25## all centred at ##0##
confirm whether this is true, bingo from Africa.

Yes, it is true. The method I told you before is mistaken, so I gave you bad advice. Sorry.
 
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  • #16
Ray Vickson said:
Anyway, your region ##-1/4 < x < 1/4## is partly correct: it is correct on one side, but too narrow on the other side. The actual convergence region is not symmetric about ##x = 0##.
A conundrum. A power series in x should have a symetric radius of convergence around the point of expansion (x=0). It should diverge outside of the radius. I guess that the substitution and rearrangement of terms changes the nature of the convergence.
 
  • #17
FactChecker said:
A conundrum. A power series in x should have a symetric radius of convergence around the point of expansion (x=0). It should diverge outside of the radius. I guess that the substitution and rearrangement of terms changes the nature of the convergence.

The situation may be more complicated than that.

Certainly, a product of power series is convergent in the intersection of the individual convergence regions, so a sufficient condition for convergence of a product of series is ##|x| < R,## where ##R## is the minimum of all the individual convergent radii. However, that is not a necessary condition, so the actual convergence region of the product may be larger. For example, the three functions
$$f_1(x) = \frac{e^x}{1-x}, \hspace{2ex} f_2(x) = (1-x)^{1/4} e^x, \hspace{2ex} f_3(x) = (1-x)^{3/4}$$
all have radii of convgence equal to 1. However, their product is the series for ##e^{2x}##, which has radius of convergence equal to ##\infty##.
 
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  • #18
Ray Vickson said:
However, their product is the series for ##e^{2x}##, which has radius of convergence equal to ##\infty##.
Right. The radius might change. But the range of convergence of the final power series will still be a symetric circle centered at the point of expansion.
 
  • #19
FactChecker said:
A conundrum. A power series in x should have a symetric radius of convergence around the point of expansion (x=0). It should diverge outside of the radius. I guess that the substitution and rearrangement of terms changes the nature of the convergence.
can you re arrange so that we can see the changes? regards
 
  • #20
chwala said:
can you re arrange so that we can see the changes? regards
I am referring to the rearrangement that one does when one starts with a power series expansion of, for instance, ##(1+u)^{1/2}##, substitutes ##u=2x-4x^2##, and rearranges it to a power series of x. The two power series of ##u## and of ##x## have radii of convergence centered at ##u=0## and ##x=0##, respectively. Their convergence ranges do not necessarily correspond as expected directly from ##u=2x-4x^2##
 
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  • #21
Ray Vickson said:
Yes, it is true. The method I told you before is mistaken, so I gave you bad advice. Sorry.
sorry i meant "interval of convergence" and not "radius of convergence" my apologies...
 

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