Manipulate this summation with Exp

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around manipulating a summation involving an exponential function, specifically the series \(\sum_{r=1}^{\infty}e^{-B⋅r}\). Participants explore ways to express this summation in terms of a function of \(r\) and a function of \(B\), while also addressing the convergence of related expressions. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and exploration of series convergence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to rewrite the summation \(\sum_{r=1}^{\infty}e^{-B⋅r}\) in a form that separates \(f(r)\) and \(g(B)\), expressing concern about convergence when applying logarithmic transformations.
  • Another participant points out that the terms in the summation do not involve \(n\) and questions the validity of rewriting the summation in terms of finite sums with limits \(s\) and \(t\).
  • A participant identifies that \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(e^{-B}\right)^r\) is a geometric series, which converges under certain conditions, suggesting this might aid in achieving the desired form.
  • One participant expands the problem to a more complex summation involving three dimensions, \(\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}e^{-B\sqrt{i^2+j^2+k^2}}\), indicating that \(r\) is not necessarily integral.
  • Another participant inquires whether the problem relates to a volume integral, while a subsequent reply clarifies it is a volume sum involving integer coordinates.
  • A participant suggests rewriting the sum in polar form, drawing a parallel to a related integral, but acknowledges that \(r\) is often not an integer.
  • There is a discussion about Feynman's trick for transforming integrals into polar coordinates, with some participants expressing uncertainty about its applicability to the current summation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the manipulation of the summation and the applicability of certain mathematical techniques. There is no consensus on the best approach to separate the functions or on the convergence of the proposed transformations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the convergence of the logarithmic transformation is problematic, and the complexity of the problem increases when considering non-integer values of \(r\). The discussion also highlights the limitations of applying techniques from integrals to summations.

Adoniram
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I am trying to manipulate this summation such that I have a summation of a function of r only by itself somewhere:

\sum_{r=1}^{\infty}e^{-B⋅r}

This could be rewritten:
\sum_{r=1}^{\infty}\left(e^{-r}\right)^B or \sum_{r=1}^{\infty}\left(e^{-B}\right)^r

What I would like is:
f(r)g(B)
or
g(f(r))
Where g depends on B as well.

I really just want to be able to get some kind of independent f(r) out of this. The biggest problem I've had with this is that while the sum converges, doing something like ln\left[\sum_{r=1}^{\infty}e^{-B⋅r}\right] does not converge, so I'm stuck...

Thank you!
 
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I guess I am missing something. The terms do not involve n. It's the infinite sum of the same constant.
 
Adoniram said:
I am trying to manipulate this summation such that I have a summation of a function of r only by itself somewhere:

##\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}e^{-B⋅r}##

This could be rewritten:
##\sum_{n=s}^{t}\left(e^{-r}\right)^B## or ##\sum_{n=s}^{t}\left(e^{-B}\right)^r##
In addition to what @FactChecker said, this doesn't make sense. Neither of the last two summations is equal to the first. Both of the latter two summations start with n = s (what is the value of s) and end with t, so both are finite sums, assuming that s is given a value and t is some finite number.

Note that ##\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(e^{-B}\right)^r## is a geometric series. Under certain conditions, such a series converges and there is a formula for the value it converges to. This fact might help you reach the form you're looking for.
 
Oops, typos corrected. And actually, this is an oversimplification of the real problem, which is this:

\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}e^{-B\sqrt{i^2+j^2+k^2}}

So, r is not necessarily integral. If it were, this would converge automatically.

However, I was hoping if I started from that more simple version, I could apply the same principle to the real problem.
 
Is this problem part of a volume integral?
 
It's part of a volume sum, not integral. The (i,j,k) values are integer coordinates in a grid, so they cannot be manipulated, or gaps reduced to {\Delta}i (for example) for purposes of integration.
 
Adoniram said:
It's part of a volume sum, not integral. The (i,j,k) values are integer coordinates in a grid, so they cannot be manipulated, or gaps reduced to {\Delta}i (for example) for purposes of integration.
This seems related to the integral ##\int_0^\infty \int_0^\infty e^{-x^2 - y^2}dx~dy##. As this integral sits, it can't be done by ordinary means, but if you rewrite it in polar form, it's easy.
For your sum, instead of looking at volume elements that are little cubes, perhaps the trick is to rewrite the sum in polar form. In that case, ##\sqrt{x^2 + y^2 + z^2}=\sqrt r##, or more simply, ##x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = r^2##, and write the sum as r goes from 1 to infinity.
 
The only problem with that is that r is not always an integer (in fact it almost always isn't). But Feynmann's trick is a good one. Too bad it won't work here.
 
Adoniram said:
The only problem with that is that r is not always an integer (in fact it almost always isn't). But Feynmann's trick is a good one. Too bad it won't work here.
Maybe you can force r to be an integer (in the set ##\{1, 2, 3, \dots \}##) by a suitable choice for a volume element, which will have curved inner and outer surfaces and four slanted sides. Off the top of my head I don't recall the name of this type of solid.

I don't know Feynmann's trick...
 
  • #10
Well you do, but you probably didn't know that's what it's called (among students I've known). When you make that substitution to polar coordinates for double (or triple) Gaussian terms in an integral, that's Feynmann's trick. Though I think Griffiths made it popular.
 

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