danerape Messages 31 Reaction score 0 Thread starter Nov 21, 2011 #1 Homework Statement Show that n/(n+1)!=(1/n)-(1/(n+1)!) I am totally lost on the algebraic steps taken to come to this conclusion. It is for an Infinite series. Thanks
Homework Statement Show that n/(n+1)!=(1/n)-(1/(n+1)!) I am totally lost on the algebraic steps taken to come to this conclusion. It is for an Infinite series. Thanks
vela Staff Emeritus Science Advisor Homework Helper Messages 16,224 Reaction score 2,895 Nov 21, 2011 #2 It's not true. For example, take n=3. Then [tex]\frac{n}{(n+1)!} = \frac{3}{4!} = \frac{3}{24} = \frac{1}{8}[/tex]but [tex]\frac{1}{n}-\frac{1}{(n+1)!} = \frac{1}{3}-\frac{1}{24} = \frac{8}{24}-\frac{1}{24} = \frac{7}{24}[/tex]
It's not true. For example, take n=3. Then [tex]\frac{n}{(n+1)!} = \frac{3}{4!} = \frac{3}{24} = \frac{1}{8}[/tex]but [tex]\frac{1}{n}-\frac{1}{(n+1)!} = \frac{1}{3}-\frac{1}{24} = \frac{8}{24}-\frac{1}{24} = \frac{7}{24}[/tex]
dextercioby Science Advisor Insights Author Messages 13,415 Reaction score 4,218 Nov 21, 2011 #3 n/(n+1)!= 1/n! - 1/(n+1)!
dextercioby Science Advisor Insights Author Messages 13,415 Reaction score 4,218 Nov 21, 2011 #5 It's easy to prove. In the LHS write n=(n+1)-1.
danerape Messages 31 Reaction score 0 Nov 21, 2011 #6 Wow, that is pretty obvious, I haven't had any experience with ! before this though. Thanks a lot! Dane
Wow, that is pretty obvious, I haven't had any experience with ! before this though. Thanks a lot! Dane