Looking for comprehensive list (or link) of even power summations

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the search for a comprehensive list of even power summations in the form of $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^m$$ for values of 'm' greater than the 10th power. Participants explore the accuracy of a derived function that computes exact values for some even powered summations, while also addressing discrepancies in results for certain powers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant has a function that produces exact values for some even powered summations but yields incorrect results for powers of '2' and '12+'.
  • Another participant identifies that the summation can be expressed in terms of the Riemann zeta function, $$\zeta(m)$$, and discusses the relationship between Bernoulli numbers and zeta values.
  • There are references to specific values for even power summations, such as $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^4}=\frac{Pi^4}{90}$$ and $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^{12}} = \frac{691Pi^{12}}{638512875}$$, with discrepancies noted in the derived function's outputs.
  • Participants discuss the implications of the derived function being a 'general solution' and the potential for it to provide unique insights into the Riemann zeta function without needing Bernoulli numbers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the correctness of the derived function's outputs for powers of '12' and higher, as discrepancies are noted and further investigation is suggested. Participants express differing views on the clarity and relevance of the links provided in relation to the original question.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the exact nature of the derived function and its supposed accuracy for various powers. There are also unresolved questions about the completeness of the function as a general solution for even power summations.

mesa
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I have a function that results in 'exact' values for even powered summation series but it gives odd results for powers of '2' and '12+', how exciting! Unfortunately this also means the function is a far cry from a 'general solution'...

Does anyone have a comprehensive list of power summations in the form of,

$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^m$$

where 'm' is greater than the 10th power in exact form? (even of course)
 
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That's just \zeta(m). The Bernoulli numbers can be calculated explicitly and can be written in terms of zeta values, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli_numbers#Asymptotic_approximation

for the relationship between Bernoulli numbers and zeta values, and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli_numbers#Explicit_definition

for a formula for calculating them. I also found this page

http://www.fullbooks.com/The-first-498-Bernoulli-Numbers.html

which says it has a list of the Bernoulli numbers but you might want to check that it is correct.

It's not clear what your post means when you say you have a function that results in exact values, but gives results that you think are wrong for almost all powers - in what manner is it supposed to be exact?
 
Office_Shredder said:
It's not clear what your post means when you say you have a function that results in exact values, but gives results that you think are wrong for almost all powers - in what manner is it supposed to be exact?

The derived function will compute exact values of 'some' even powered summations. At the moment it will produce correct answers for,
$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^4}=\frac{Pi^4}{90}$$
$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^6}=\frac{Pi^6}{945}$$
$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^8}=\frac{Pi^8}{9450}$$
$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^{10}}=\frac{Pi^{10}}{93555}$$

But for powers of '12' and higher the results don't look right and I know '2' is also incorrect (It is giving Pi^2/20, not Pi^2/6). I can easily fix the '2' but I need to see what is going on with the other end since it is best to work both sides of the problem.

I could post the function although it is incomplete as far as being a 'general solution'. These discrepancies can likely be fixed but in order to do so I need a more comprehensive list of exact values for these power summations.

On another note, thanks for the links!
 
Office_Shredder said:
That's just \zeta(m). The Bernoulli numbers can be calculated explicitly and can be written in terms of zeta values, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli_numbers#Asymptotic_approximation

for the relationship between Bernoulli numbers and zeta values, and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli_numbers#Explicit_definition

for a formula for calculating them. I also found this page

http://www.fullbooks.com/The-first-498-Bernoulli-Numbers.html

which says it has a list of the Bernoulli numbers but you might want to check that it is correct.

Hey Office_Shredder, I had a chance to run through these links although I am not clear on what this has to do with the question I posed, am I missing something or was my post just a little too hazy and that led you off track?
 
The first link gives the formula
B_{2m} = (-1)^{m+1} \frac{2 (2m)!}{(2\pi)^{2m}} \left( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^{2m} \right)
which can be solved to give
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^{2m} = (-1)^{m+1} B_{2m} \frac{ (2\pi)^{2m}}{2(2m)!}

So to calculate your sum on the left you need to evaluate the thing on the right, which is easy except for the B2m[/sum] part. I gave a link that will let you explicitly calculate it as a formula (if you wanted to compare your formula to the formula for the B's) and also a link which gives numerical evaluations of the first couple hundred.

For example, from the last link B36 = -26315271553053477373/1919190, so letting m=18 above,
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^{36} = 26315271553053477373/1919190 * \frac{ (2\pi)^{36}}{2(36)!}

We can confirm these are in fact the same number.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=zeta(36)
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=+26315271553053477373/1919190+*+\frac{+(2\pi)^{36}}{2(36)!}
 
Office_Shredder said:
The first link gives the formula
B_{2m} = (-1)^{m+1} \frac{2 (2m)!}{(2\pi)^{2m}} \left( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^{2m} \right)
which can be solved to give
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^{2m} = (-1)^{m+1} B_{2m} \frac{ (2\pi)^{2m}}{2(2m)!}

So to calculate your sum on the left you need to evaluate the thing on the right, which is easy except for the B2m[/sum] part. I gave a link that will let you explicitly calculate it as a formula (if you wanted to compare your formula to the formula for the B's) and also a link which gives numerical evaluations of the first couple hundred.

For example, from the last link B36 = -26315271553053477373/1919190, so letting m=18 above,
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^{36} = 26315271553053477373/1919190 * \frac{ (2\pi)^{36}}{2(36)!}

We can confirm these are in fact the same number.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=zeta(36)
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=+26315271553053477373/1919190+*+\frac{+(2\pi)^{36}}{2(36)!}


Okay, it all makes sense now. I didn't notice in that first link to wikipedia that it was a summation for the far right term. Sometimes being so focused it is hard to spot even the obvious...

I am pleased to see that,
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^{12} = \frac{ 691Pi^{12}}{638512875}

I 'threw out' my solution as being anomalous because it had a 'non 1' numerated fraction for an answer (just like this does). I unfortunately left my notebook at home (probably crumpled up buried under a pile of sheets and pillows :P) although I will check this once I get home.

So if this is in fact a 'general solution' then it is also a unique version of this Riemann Zeta function that doesn't require an input of your Bernoulli numbers, neat! (That is of course assuming the solutions for powers of 12+ are correct...)
 
Office_Shredder, okay I checked it. The correct answer for n=12 is,

$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^{12} = \frac{ 691Pi^{12}}{638512875}$$

My function gives,

$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/n^{12} = \frac{ 733Pi^{12}}{638512875}$$

Close but not correct. I will work this from both ends and post when I have a solution. Thanks for the help.
 

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