How to Prove the Sum of the Power Series Using the Series for Cotangent?

In summary, the conversation discusses using the series expansion for $(\pi\cot\pi z)'$ at $z=0$ to show that $\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}$. This is done by rewriting cot as cosine over the infinite product $\sin\pi z = \pi z\prod\limits_{n\in\mathbb{Z} -\{0\}}\left[\left(1-\frac{z}{n}\right)e^{z/n}\right]$, and then using the derivative of this product to obtain the desired series expansion. The conversation also mentions the difficulty of taking
  • #1
Dustinsfl
2,281
5
Show $\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}$ using the series for $(\pi\cot\pi z)'$ at $z = 0$

I know from class that $\sin\pi z = \pi z\prod\limits_{n\in\mathbb{Z} -\{0\}}\left[\left(1-\frac{z}{n}\right)e^{z/n}\right]$

So do I need to use that to rewrite cot as cosine over that product?
 
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  • #2
A 'very nice' series expansion is...

$\displaystyle \pi \cot (\pi\ z)= \frac{1}{z}+2\ z\ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{z^{2}-n^{2}}$ (1)

From (1) You derive...

$\displaystyle \frac{{\pi\ \cot(\pi\ z)}-\frac{1}{z}}{2\ z}= \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{z^{2}-n^{2}}$ (2)

Now compute the $\displaystyle \lim_{z \rightarrow 0} $ for both term of (2)...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #3
chisigma said:
A 'very nice' series expansion is...

$\frac{1}{z}+2\ z\ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{z^{2}-n^{2}}$ (1)

How did you come up with this piece?
 
  • #4
dwsmith said:
How did you come up with this piece?

Let's start with the 'infinite product'...

$\displaystyle \sin (\pi\ z)= \pi\ z\ \prod_{n=1}^{\infty} (1-\frac{z^{2}}{n^{2}})$ (1)

... and first obtain...

$\displaystyle \ln \sin (\pi z) = \ln (\pi\ z) + \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \ln (1-\frac{z^{2}}{n^{2}})$ (2)

Now if we derive (2) we obtain...

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{d z}\ \ln \sin (\pi\ z)= \pi\ \cot(\pi\ z)= \frac{1}{z} + 2\ z\ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{z^{2}-n^{2}}$ (3)

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #5
chisigma said:
$\displaystyle \frac{{\pi\ \cot(\pi\ z)}-\frac{1}{z}}{2\ z}= \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{z^{2}-n^{2}}$ (2)

Now compute the $\displaystyle \lim_{z \rightarrow 0} $ for both term of (2)...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

I can't figure out how to take the limit of this function without using Mathematica.
 
Last edited:
  • #6
dwsmith said:
I can't figure out how to take the limit of this function without using Mathematica.

Take into account that is...

$\displaystyle \pi\ \cot (\pi\ z)= \frac{1}{z} - \frac{\pi^{2}}{3}\ z - \frac{\pi^{4}}{45}\ z^{3}-...$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 

1. What is a power series?

A power series is an infinite series of the form ∑ an(x-c)n, where an are constants, x is the variable, and c is a fixed point. It is a type of mathematical representation used to describe a function.

2. How do you find the sum of a power series?

To find the sum of a power series, you can use various methods such as substitution, ratio test, or comparison test. These methods involve manipulating the series to determine its convergence or divergence and then using mathematical techniques to find the sum.

3. What is the relationship between a power series and a Taylor series?

A Taylor series is a type of power series that is used to represent a function as an infinite sum of its derivatives. It is a special case of a power series, where the center point c is equal to 0. Therefore, all Taylor series are power series, but not all power series are Taylor series.

4. Can a power series converge for some values of x and diverge for others?

Yes, a power series can converge for some values of x and diverge for others. The convergence or divergence of a power series depends on the values of x and the coefficients an. Some power series may only converge for a specific range of values for x, while others may converge for all values of x.

5. What are some real-life applications of power series?

Power series have various real-life applications in fields such as physics, engineering, and finance. They are used to approximate and model functions, such as the motion of a pendulum or the growth of a population. They are also used in calculus to solve differential equations and in statistics to analyze and predict data.

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