Is the Derivative of a Sum always Convergent?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the interchangeability of differentiation and summation, particularly in the context of infinite series and their convergence properties. Participants explore conditions under which the derivative of a sum can be expressed as the sum of derivatives, addressing both theoretical and practical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the derivative of a sum can be taken as the sum of its derivatives, provided the summation variable differs from the differentiation variable.
  • Others caution that this interchangeability is not always valid and emphasize the importance of uniform convergence for the differentiation of infinite sums.
  • A participant notes that power series converge uniformly within their radius of convergence, allowing for term-by-term differentiation.
  • Concerns are raised about whether the interchange of differentiation and summation is an "if and only if" condition, with some arguing it requires uniform convergence rather than mere convergence.
  • One participant provides an example where differentiation fails, highlighting that while a series may converge, its derivative may not, particularly at boundary points of convergence.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about their specific case, suspecting that while their series diverges, its derivative may converge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the conditions under which differentiation and summation can be interchanged. There are competing views regarding the necessity of uniform convergence and the implications of divergence in specific examples.

Contextual Notes

Discussions include references to specific examples and counterexamples, highlighting the nuanced conditions under which differentiation and summation can be interchanged. Some participants express doubts about the applicability of general statements to their specific cases.

donutmax
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Is the following correct?

\frac{d}{dt}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{2^{n}t^{n}}{(n+1)!}=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{d}{dt}\frac{2^{n}t^{n}}{(n+1)!}
 
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Is the derivative of a sum the sum of its derivatives?

Yes, I believe so.
 
Yes. As long as the summation variable is different from the derifination variable.
 
Usually we (meaning physicists or other applied mathematicians perhaps) don't worry too much about whether or not we can swap a derivative with an infinite sum. It doesn't always work, though, so if you really want to be careful you should check for uniform convergence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_convergence#to_Differentiability
 
flatmaster said:
Yes. As long as the summation variable is different from the derifination variable.
derifination? :smile:
 
As Mute said, we can differentiate (or integrate) an infinite sum "term by term" as long as the convergence is uniform. Fortunately, that is a power series and power series always converge uniformly inside their radius of convergence.

This particular example has infinite radius of convergence so it can be differentiated "term by term" for all x.
 
Dear friends,

What i understood from the previous threads is that if the summation converges summation and differentiation can be interchangeable. Here i assume that summation and differentiation variables are different.


But my doubts are
1. Is it an iff statement?. That is differentiation and summation are interchangeable iff the summation converges.

2.Here my summation is attachment1 . This diverges.
But i suspect that (due to some reasons) attachment2 do not diverge(It would be a function dependent on N after substituting value for x, which is a natural no >=2).

Any sensible suggestions would be really helpful :)
 

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bincy said:
Dear friends,

What i understood from the previous threads is that if the summation converges summation and differentiation can be interchangeable.
Do you? Several of the responses told you that is NOT true. I, for example, told you that the differerentiation and summation can be interchanged if the sum converges uniformly. That is a stronger requirement than just saying "converges".

Here i assume that summation and differentiation variables are different.But my doubts are
1. Is it an iff statement?. That is differentiation and summation are interchangeable iff the summation converges.
If and only if the sum converges uniformly

2.Here my summation is attachment1 . This diverges.
But i suspect that (due to some reasons) attachment2 do not diverge(It would be a function dependent on N after substituting value for x, which is a natural no >=2).

Any sensible suggestions would be really helpful :)
 
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An example of where differentiation can fail is
ln(1-x)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{x^n}{n}

At x=-1 this sum converges (to ln(2)) but if we try to differentiate we get
\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^n
and this sum diverges at x=-1, even though the power series is right differentiable at that point
 
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  • #10
Good example, Office Shredder! As I said before, a power series converges uniformly, and so is differentiable, inside its radius of convergence. Here, -1 is one endpoint of the interval of convergence, not inside it.
 
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  • #11
Thanks.

To Office_Shredder:Your example was really helpful. There a series was converging but its derivative is not. In my case i suspect derivative is converging but series is not.
 

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