Finding this power series -- Where is my error?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a power series problem related to a math homework platform's requirements. The original poster is attempting to reconcile their result with the platform's expected format, particularly regarding the starting index of the summation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the potential discrepancies between the original poster's result and the platform's requirements, questioning the necessary form of input. There is mention of using a substitution in the summation index and the implications of starting the sum from different values.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the starting index of the summation, and the original poster has reached out to their professor for further clarification.

Contextual Notes

There is a specific requirement from the homework platform for the summation to start from zero, which is a point of contention in the discussion. The original poster also references a previous statement from their professor about trivial functions and Taylor polynomials, indicating a potential area of confusion.

archaic
Messages
688
Reaction score
214
Homework Statement
Find the power series representation of $$\frac{x}{(1+13x^2)^2}$$
Relevant Equations
N/A
I have used ##\sim## but meant ##\sum_{k=0}^\infty##
20200416_230932.jpg

my math homework platform is telling me that this is wrong. I've tried using desmos to test it and it was a perfect match. Any ideas on where I went wrong?
ihb.PNG
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
What type of input does the platform require? It is possible that it has written it on a different form and only accepts that form.
 
Orodruin said:
What type of input does the platform require? It is possible that it has written it on a different form and only accepts that form.
Capture.PNG

This is what they are giving me. If you put ##k=k'+1## in my result, then you'd get theirs, but then the sum should start from ##-1##. They have specifically asked me to have it start from ##0##, though, as is shown.
I've used power series instead of differentiating ##f(x)## because it is faster. The result should still be the same normally. I remember our professor saying something about trivial functions having unique taylor polynomials.
 
archaic said:
View attachment 260819
This is what they are giving me. If you put ##k=k'+1## in my result, then you'd get theirs, but then the sum should start from ##-1##. They have specifically asked me to have it start from ##0##, though, as is shown.
Your first term is equal to zero (it has a factor ##k = 0## in it). So even if you put ##k = k'+1## you can have your sum start at zero.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: archaic
I've emailed my professor, maybe he'll fix it. Thank you @Orodruin I've missed the ##k## factor ^^'.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K