How can I solve power series questions 1a, 1c, and 1f?

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter nacho-man
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving specific power series questions (1a, 1c, and 1f) from a set of problems. Participants seek hints and clarifications on how to approach these problems, which involve geometric series and telescoping sums.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that question 1a can be approached as a geometric series, noting that the series converges since the absolute value of the ratio is less than 1.
  • Others point out that the sum of the series in 1a can be expressed as $\frac{1}{1-\frac{i}{3}}$ and inquire about the derivation of this expression.
  • One participant mentions rewriting question 1c as a geometric series as well, specifically $\sum_{j=0}^{\infty}\left(-\frac{2}{3}\right)^j$.
  • For question 1f, participants identify it as a telescoping sum and discuss the limit of the sum as $n$ approaches infinity.
  • There is a request for clarification on how to derive the sum expression for 1a, specifically the transition to $\frac{1}{1-\frac{i}{3}}$.
  • Another participant references the power series formula $\frac{1}{1-z} = \sum_{k=0}^{\infty}z^k$ for $|z|<1$ as a relevant tool for solving these problems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the derivation of certain expressions, particularly for question 1a. There is no consensus on the best approach to solve the problems, and multiple viewpoints are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the need for clarification on specific steps in the derivation of sums, indicating that assumptions about convergence and the application of power series may need further exploration.

nacho-man
Messages
166
Reaction score
0
Please refer to the attached image.

How do I do these questions, In particular
1a, 1c and 1f.

Could anyone give me a hint to get me started with either of these?

Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • q3.png
    q3.png
    13.8 KB · Views: 110
Physics news on Phys.org
nacho said:
Please refer to the attached image.

How do I do these questions, In particular
1a, 1c and 1f.

Could anyone give me a hint to get me started with either of these?

Thanks.

Don't let the $i$'s get to you! For instance, in 1(a), $\displaystyle\sum_{j=0}^{\infty} \left(\frac{i}{3}\right)^j$ is geometric since $\left|\dfrac{i}{3}\right| = \dfrac{|i|}{3} = \dfrac{1}{3} < 1$.

Note that you can rewrite 1(c) as $\displaystyle\sum_{j=0}^{\infty}\left(-\frac{2}{3}\right)^j$.

Note that 1(f) is a telescoping sum; with that said, we see that

\[\sum_{j=0}^{\infty} \left[\frac{1}{j+2} - \frac{1}{j+1}\right] = \lim_{n\to\infty} \sum_{j=0}^n \left[\frac{1}{j+2} - \frac{1}{j+1}\right] = \ldots\]
 
Thanks for that.

Although, for
1a) it says that the sum of the series is
$\frac{1}{1-\frac{i}{3}}$ $ = $ $\frac{9+3i}{10}$

Why is this? I am unsure how they get to the first term of $\frac{1}{1-\frac{i}{3}}$
 
nacho said:
Thanks for that.

Although, for
1a) it says that the sum of the series is
$\frac{1}{1-\frac{i}{3}}$ $ = $ $\frac{9+3i}{10}$

Why is this? I am unsure how they get to the first term of $\frac{1}{1-\frac{i}{3}}$

Note that

\[\frac{1}{1-\dfrac{i}{3}} = \frac{3}{3\left(1-\dfrac{i}{3}\right)} = \frac{3}{3-i}\]

Now conjugate and you'll get the desired result.
 
Chris L T521 said:
Note that

\[\frac{1}{1-\dfrac{i}{3}} = \frac{3}{3\left(1-\dfrac{i}{3}\right)} = \frac{3}{3-i}\]

Now conjugate and you'll get the desired result.

this i understood,
what i did not know was how they arrived at the sum being equal to
$\frac{1}{1-\dfrac{i}{3}}$
 
Use that power series

$$\frac{1}{1-z} = \sum_{k=0}^{\infty}z^k \,\,\,\,\,\,\, |z|<1$$
 
ZaidAlyafey said:
Use that power series

$$\frac{1}{1-z} = \sum_{k=0}^{\infty}z^k \,\,\,\,\,\,\, |z|<1$$

thanks!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K