How can I swap the order of a finite product of infinite sums?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter smart_ansatz
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Infinite Product Sum
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mathematical challenge of swapping the order of a finite product of infinite sums. Participants explore the conditions under which such a transformation might be valid, referencing a specific derivation from a recently published paper.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion over a derivation that involves transforming a finite product of infinite sums into an infinite sum of finite products, questioning the validity of this transformation.
  • Another participant challenges the correctness of the initial example provided, asserting that it misrepresents the terms involved in the transformation.
  • A different participant defends the initial example, providing an alternative interpretation and emphasizing that the transformation is not generalizable.
  • One participant claims to have resolved the issue by identifying a key aspect related to the "sum over all possible k" in the transformation, suggesting that there may be specific conditions under which the transformation holds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach consensus on the validity of the initial example, with some asserting it is incorrect while others defend it. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the general conditions for swapping the order of the finite product and infinite sums.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of the mathematical transformation in question and the potential dependence on specific properties of the terms involved, which remain unspecified.

smart_ansatz
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hi this the first time I've got completely stuck and need some advice. I'm trying repeat a (supposedly simple) derivation that appeared in a recently published paper. The details are not important, but I am stuck on a part of that calculation that they skip over.

They have a finite product (over [tex]\nu[/tex]) of infinite sums and seem to wave a magic wand and arrive at an infinite sum of finite products, thus:

[tex] \prod_{\nu} \sum_{k_{\nu}=-\infty}^{\infty} a_{k_{\nu}} \to \sum_{k}\prod_{\nu}a_{k_{\nu}}[/tex]

This is clearly not a general statement as the trivial example below shows.

[tex] \prod_{i=1}^{I}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^2} \ne \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^{2I}}[/tex]

So does anyone have any idea how to swap the order of a finite product of an infinite sum? maybe there are some conditions [tex]a_{k_{\nu}}[/tex] has to obey for it to be valid.

Hope someone out there can help!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Your trivial example is incorrect. i doesn't appear in the terms of the left side.
 
yes it does

[tex] \prod_{i=1}^{I}\sum_{n}\frac{1}{n^2} = \left(\sum_{n}\frac{1}{n^2}\right)(\ldots) = \left(\frac{\pi^2}{6}\right)^I \ne \sum_{n}\left(\frac{1}{n^2}\right)^I[/tex]

anyway, that's missing the point. We know this is not general. but is/are there any occasions when it can be done?
 
ok I've solved it. The key was in the "sum over all possible k" on the right hand side. Cheers anyway.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K