# Partial Fractions Sum of Series

1. Apr 4, 2013

### whatlifeforme

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Use partial fractions to find the sum of the series.

2. Relevant equations
$\displaystyle \sum^{∞}_{n=1} \frac{8}{n(n+3)}$

3. The attempt at a solution
I end up with:

$\displaystyle \frac{8}{3n} - \frac{8}{3(n+3)}$

I am stuck here.

2. Apr 4, 2013

### ArcanaNoir

Did you try writing out some terms of the series? I took it to n=7 to get a good feeling.

3. Apr 4, 2013

### tiny-tim

hi whatlifeforme!

ok, now try writing out the first few terms, and see what you notice

(if that doesn't help, try it with n(n+1) instead of n(n+3), and then adapt)

4. Apr 4, 2013

### whatlifeforme

i'm still confused. after 7 terms, i get to 3.99 but it looks like it is still increasing.

5. Apr 4, 2013

### ArcanaNoir

Ack, decimals are bad :) Use actual fractions, and write it out like this:
$$\frac{8}{3}-\frac{8}{12}+\frac{8}{6}-\frac{8}{15}+\dots$$
Continue this pattern to at least n=7. You might want to look up "telescoping series".

6. Apr 4, 2013

### whatlifeforme

i have yet to master telescoping series. any help please?

I have gone to n=7 and have 6 terms left that have not be canceled.

7. Apr 4, 2013

### tiny-tim

and what are the 6 terms?

8. Apr 4, 2013

### whatlifeforme

8/3 + 8/6 + 8/9 - 8/24 - 8/27 - 8/30

9. Apr 4, 2013

### Ray Vickson

Evaluate the finite sum
$$S_N = \sum_{n=1}^N \frac{8}{n(n+3)},$$ then take the limit as N → ∞. Your partial fraction representation makes this straightforward.

10. Apr 4, 2013

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
Write them out without cancelling them.

11. Apr 4, 2013

### whatlifeforme

(8/3 - 8/13) + (8/6 - 8/15) + (8/9 -8/15) + (8/12 - 8/21) + (8/15 - 8/24) + (8/18 - 8/27) + (8/21 - 8/30)

12. Apr 4, 2013

### ArcanaNoir

Here is an example. Suppose my series came out like this:
$$\frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{5} +\frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{7} + \frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{6} + \dots$$

Notice that this can be rearranged as $$\frac{1}{2} +\frac{1}{3} +\frac{1}{4} +\frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{5} +\frac{1}{6} - \frac{1}{6} \dots$$
See that every fraction has a positive and a negative, so everything cancels except for the first few fractions, 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4. The sum of this series is $$\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{4}$$.

13. Apr 4, 2013

### ArcanaNoir

Can you form pairs of positive and negative like -8/15 + 8/15 ?

14. Apr 4, 2013

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus

8/3 + 8/6 + 8/9 + 8/12 + 8/15 + 8/18 + 8/21 + ...

- 8/12 - 8/15 - 8/18 - 8/21 - 8/24 - 8/27 - 8/30 - ...

Do you see what happens?

15. Apr 4, 2013

### whatlifeforme

so i'm left with 8/3 + 8/6 + 8/9

16. Apr 4, 2013

### ArcanaNoir

Exactly :) Does it make sense?

17. Apr 4, 2013

### whatlifeforme

not yet. i still don't have the sum. doesn't it need to look like sum = 8/3 - 1/k-1

then taking the limit it would be 8/3.

this isn't valid for this problem just an example.

i know when writing out 1/n - 1/n-1 type stuff.. i always had a problem with telescoping series.

18. Apr 4, 2013

### ArcanaNoir

The sum is a number. Specifically the sum is the sum of 8/3+8/6+8/9.

19. Apr 4, 2013