I finding the sum of this series

  • Thread starter Thread starter Randall
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Series Sum
Randall
Messages
22
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Find the sum of the series from k=0 to infinity of ((4^k)-(3^k))/(5^k)

Homework Equations


I'm not sure exactly. I know the test for divergence is if lim n approaches infinity of the function from m=1 to infinity does not equal 0 then the series cannot diverge

The Attempt at a Solution


see attached but really my work is a lame attempt at a test for divergence, and not so much an attempt at the sum. Please I need help finding the sum.
 

Attachments

  • sum of series.JPG
    sum of series.JPG
    28.4 KB · Views: 515
Physics news on Phys.org
You're overlooking something very simple. It's difficult to give a hint without giving away the answer. Just think of the simplest thing you can do with the terms.
 
Ahhhh. I see. This is simply the sum of two different geometric series - one with a ratio of 4/5 and one with a ratio of 3/5, yes? I feel silly now
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...

Similar threads

Back
Top