How to convert the limit of a series into an integral?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conversion of the limit of a series into an integral, particularly focusing on the conditions and methods for such a transformation. Participants explore various approaches, including the Euler-Maclaurin formula and the Riemann sum, while addressing the nuances of summation and integration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the process of converting a limit of a series into an integral, emphasizing the need for a Δx term and its limit approaching zero.
  • Others suggest that the integral test for convergence may be relevant, but clarify that it does not require summing the series.
  • A participant mentions the Euler-Maclaurin summation formula as a potential method for addressing the limit of a sum of a convergent series.
  • There is a discussion about the absence of a general formula for converting a series to an integral, with some participants questioning the role of dx in summation.
  • One participant points out that the integral may be used to establish bounds on the summation rather than to evaluate it directly.
  • Another participant highlights the importance of recognizing the fraction in the summation that corresponds to dx in the integral, which is often overlooked.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about whether other methods exist for solving the problem beyond those discussed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method for converting a limit of a series into an integral. Multiple competing views and approaches are presented, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the existence of alternative methods.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of a general formula for the conversion and the dependence on specific definitions and conditions for the series and integrals involved. The discussion also reflects varying interpretations of the relationship between summation and integration.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners in mathematics or related fields who are exploring the connections between series and integrals, particularly in the context of convergence and summation techniques.

Adesh
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If I have a limit of a series then how can I convert it into integral. I know to convert a sum into an integral there must be Δx multiplied to each term and this must go zero. Can you please explain me the conversion of limit of series (normal series with no Δx) into an integral.
Thank you.
 
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Adesh said:
If I have a limit of a series then how can I convert it into integral. I know to convert a sum into an integral there must be Δx multiplied to each term and this must go zero. Can you please explain me the conversion of limit of series (normal series with no Δx) into an integral.
Thank you.
Are you looking for something like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integral_test_for_convergence ?
 
Adesh said:
I’m looking for solving the series.

Are you asking about "summing the series" - or are you asking about "testing the convergence of the series"?

To test the convergence of a series using the integral test, we do not need to sum it.
 
Stephen Tashi said:
Are you asking about "summing the series" - or are you asking about "testing the convergence of the series"?

To test the convergence of a series using the integral test, we do not need to sum it.
I’m asking how to take the limit of a sum of a convergent series. Sir I’m sorry for ambiguity but I’m trying to be clear as much as possible.
 
Adesh said:
I’m asking how to take the limit of a sum of a convergent series. Sir I’m sorry for ambiguity but I’m trying to be clear as much as possible.
There is no general formula ##\sum_{\mathbb{N}} f(n) = \int_a^b g(x)\,dx\,.##
 
fresh_42 said:
There is no general formula ##\sum_{\mathbb{N}} f(n) = \int_a^b g(x)\,dx\,.##
Can we do this? Where is dx in summation, sir
 
Adesh said:
Can we do this? Where is dx in summation, sir
That's the problem, in the sum we have ##dx=1## which is not the same as what the limit ##dx## actually is. Thus the integral criterion and I'm sure there are some error estimations for it, too, is as best as we can get, as far as I know. If there was such a formula, then it certainly would be part of all curricula.
 
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  • #10
Stephen Tashi said:
See if you like the Euler-Mclaurin summation formula https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euler–Maclaurin_formula
I was solving this problem
lim. ∑1/(n+k). {k varies from zero to m). m= nb
n -> ∞

What most people did in my university or even on internet is that they wrote it like this ∫1/(n+x) dx (limit zero to m) m= nb
(b is a constant)
I'm wondering how can you change it into integral as difference between partitions is one and is not changing. I myself used Euler-Maclaurin formula for solving this.
 
  • #11
Adesh said:
I was solving this problem
lim. ∑1/(n+k). {k varies from zero to m). m= nb
n -> ∞

What most people did in my university or even on internet is that they wrote it like this ∫1/(n+x) dx (limit zero to m) m= nb
(b is a constant)
I'm wondering how can you change it into integral as difference between partitions is one and is not changing. I myself used Euler-Maclaurin formula for solving this.
They are not evaluating the summation by writing a related integral. Most likely, they are using the integral to get an upper bound (or possibly upper and lower bounds) on the summation.
 
  • #12
Mark44 said:
They are not evaluating the summation by writing a related integral. Most likely, they are using the integral to get an upper bound (or possibly upper and lower bounds) on the summation.
Sir can you please explain elaborately the conversion. Here is the link where he uses the conversion of series to an integral for solving the problem.
 
  • #13
Adesh said:
If I have a limit of a series then how can I convert it into integral. I know to convert a sum into an integral there must be Δx multiplied to each term and this must go zero. Can you please explain me the conversion of limit of series (normal series with no Δx) into an integral.
The guy in the video is evaluating the summation by converting the summation into the Riemann sum that is equal to a definite integral. See this Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_sum

In the video, he starts with ##\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{r = 0}^{n - 1} \frac 1 {\sqrt{n^2 - r^2}}##
In the next step, he writes a Riemann sum and the definite integral the Riemann sum is equal to.
##\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{r = 0}^{n - 1} f(\frac r n) \frac 1 n = \int_0^1 f(n) dn##
He then works to convert the expression in the summation he's working on, ##\frac 1 {\sqrt{n^2 - r^2}}##, to make it look like ##f(\frac r n)\frac 1 n##. That fraction ##\frac 1 n## is the piece that you were missing, and which confused the people who have responded to your question.That fraction in the summation plays the same role as ##dx## in the integral.
 
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  • #14
Mark44 said:
The guy in the video is evaluating the summation by converting the summation into the Riemann sum that is equal to a definite integral. See this Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_sum

In the video, he starts with ##\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{r = 0}^{n - 1} \frac 1 {\sqrt{n^2 - r^2}}##
In the next step, he writes a Riemann sum and the definite integral the Riemann sum is equal to.
##\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{r = 0}^{n - 1} f(\frac r n) \frac 1 n = \int_0^1 f(n) dn##
He then works to convert the expression in the summation he's working on, ##\frac 1 {\sqrt{n^2 - r^2}}##, to make it look like ##f(\frac r n)\frac 1 n##. That fraction ##\frac 1 n## is the piece that you were missing, and which confused the people who have responded to your question.That fraction in the summation plays the same role as ##dx## in the integral.
Sir, is there any other method to solve it. I shall highly appreciate it.
 
  • #15
Adesh said:
Sir, is there any other method to solve it. I shall highly appreciate it.
I don't believe there is.
 
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  • #16
Mark44 said:
I don't believe there is.
Thank you
 
  • #17
Adesh said:
I was solving this problem
lim. ∑1/(n+k). {k varies from zero to m). m= nb
n -> ∞

What most people did in my university or even on internet is that they wrote it like this ∫1/(n+x) dx (limit zero to m) m= nb
(b is a constant)
I'm wondering how can you change it into integral as difference between partitions is one and is not changing. I myself used Euler-Maclaurin formula for solving this.
Mark44 said:
The guy in the video is evaluating the summation by converting the summation into the Riemann sum that is equal to a definite integral. See this Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_sum

In the video, he starts with ##\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{r = 0}^{n - 1} \frac 1 {\sqrt{n^2 - r^2}}##
In the next step, he writes a Riemann sum and the definite integral the Riemann sum is equal to.
##\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{r = 0}^{n - 1} f(\frac r n) \frac 1 n = \int_0^1 f(n) dn##
He then works to convert the expression in the summation he's working on, ##\frac 1 {\sqrt{n^2 - r^2}}##, to make it look like ##f(\frac r n)\frac 1 n##. That fraction ##\frac 1 n## is the piece that you were missing, and which confused the people who have responded to your question.That fraction in the summation plays the same role as ##dx## in the integral.
With the small caveat that the dx are not required to be of uniform width ( here 1/n) , only that they all have width approaching 0 in the limit.
 
  • #18
Afesh, why don't you try replicating the method , dividing the denominator by n and mikick the rest of the approach in the video described by mark44 and see where that leads you?
 

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