How do you find the derivatives of a power series?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the first and second derivatives of a power series, specifically denoted as J(x). Participants are examining the implications of differentiating the series term by term and how this affects the indexing of the resulting series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the starting index for the derivatives of the power series and discussing the concept of re-indexing when differentiating series. There is also confusion regarding the transformation of terms when changing indices.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with some participants suggesting that re-indexing is a key aspect of the problem. Others are expressing uncertainty about the correctness of their transformations and the implications for the overall proof related to J(x).

Contextual Notes

There is a specific requirement that the second derivative J''(x) must start from n=1 for the proof involving (x^2)J(x) + xJ(x) + (x^2)J(x) = 0 to hold, which adds a layer of complexity to the discussion.

stupidmonkey
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Homework Statement


http://imgur.com/FJhgN
Give this power series J(x) (leftmost in the picture), find the first and second derivative.

Homework Equations


You take the derivative of a power series term by term.


The Attempt at a Solution


I don't understand how to get the J''(x) in the image, which is the solution that was given. I thought that when you take the derivative of J'(x) you start from n=1 in J'(x), but then start from n=2 in J''(x). I can get the term inside the summation though.
This question is part of a problem that asks you to prove (x^2)J(x)+xJ(x)+(x^2)J(x)=0 and the proof will only work if J''(x) starts from n=1 so I don't think the answer is a typo.
 
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It looks like it's just re-indexing the series. Consider the following:
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} x^n
and
\sum_{n=2}^{\infty} x^{n-1}

These are exactly the same, we just changed where the dummy variable starts, and the terms in the series had to shift to compensate
 
Hmmm but I thought when you took the derivative of
Ʃ(n=1 to infinity) ((-1)^n)(x^(2n-1))(2n)/((2^(2n))(((m+1)!)^2) you get

Ʃ(n=2 to infinity) ((-1)^n)(x^(2n-2))(2n)(2n-1)/((2^(2n))((n!)^2))

Then if you change the index to n=1 you get:

Ʃ(n=1 to infinity) (((-1)^(n+1)))(2(n+1)(2n+1)(x^(2n))/((2^(2m+2)((m+1)!)^2)
which is different...
Sorry for the ugly complicated symbols, I don't know how to make it look more clean...
Btw how do you make such a large sigma symbol?
 
stupidmonkey said:
Sorry for the ugly complicated symbols, I don't know how to make it look more clean...
Btw how do you make such a large sigma symbol?

Sorry for not addressing the problem, but I'm a bit rusty with power series.

In the "Reply to Thread" window (the "advanced" one with formatting toolbar), on the far right of the toolbar is the sigma symbol. Clicking that will open a sort of index of symbols/formatting/etc. in LaTeX.

You can search for LaTeX commands through Google as well. I'm sure there's also a thread about this somewhere. . .
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=8997
 

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