Geometric Series Derivation for Given Identities

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving the geometric series for specific identities involving fractions, particularly focusing on the infinite sum representation of these series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the derivation of the geometric series and question the necessity of adding 1 to the series. There is discussion about the implications of starting the summation from different indices.

Discussion Status

Some participants affirm the correctness of the original poster's approach while others suggest alternative methods for representing the series without the need to add 1. The conversation reflects a productive exploration of different perspectives on the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of the geometric series formula and how the starting index of the summation affects the representation of the series.

opticaltempest
Messages
135
Reaction score
0
I am trying to derive the geometric series for the following given
identities,

[tex] \begin{array}{l}<br /> \frac{1}{{0.99}} = 1.0101010101... \; \; \; {\rm{ (1)}} \\[/tex][tex] \frac{1}{{0.98}} = 1.0204081632... \; \; \; {\rm{ (2)}} \\ <br /> \end{array}[/tex]

Here is my answer for (1),

[tex] \sum\limits_{n = 1}^\infty {\left( {\frac{1}{{100}}} \right)} ^n + 1[/tex]

Here is my answer for (2),

[tex] \sum\limits_{n = 1}^\infty {\left( {\frac{1}{{50}}} \right)} ^n + 1[/tex]

Are my answers correct? The only way I can get the correct answer is by
adding 1 onto the series. Is this the correct way represent the series?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, the answers are correct. The reason you are adding 1 onto the series is because this formula for the infinite sum of a geometric series
1/(1-r)
holds when the first term is 1. 1/.99 can be written as 1/(1-.01) so you have ratio r and first term 1, and the sequence you wrote for the first one reflects that only when you add 1 to it. You could sum from 0 to infinity and remove the 1, instead of from 1 to infinity and adding in the 1 afterwards, if you think it looks neater.
 
You can get rid of adding the ones by changing the summation to start from zero instad of one.
 
Ok, I see how changing the lower limit to 0 solves the problem of having
to add 1 to the series.

Thanks!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K