Power series Construction Help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the power series representation and interval of convergence for the function f(x) = 1/(1-3x)². Participants are exploring the manipulation of power series and the implications of differentiation on convergence.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the function f(x) = 1/(1-3x)² and attempts to derive its power series representation using the known series for 1/(1-x).
  • Another participant questions the understanding of the manipulation leading to the summation and points out an error in the inequality regarding the interval of convergence.
  • A third participant suggests that the series converges for all x such that |x| < 1 and notes that the derivative of the series may affect convergence at the endpoints.
  • A fourth participant agrees that the initial series converges for |x| < 1 and emphasizes the need to replace x with 3x in the context of the second case.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the initial series converges for |x| < 1, but there is uncertainty regarding the implications of differentiating the series and the behavior at the endpoints.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of consensus on the exact interval of convergence after differentiation, and the implications of replacing x with 3x in the series are not fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in power series, convergence issues, and mathematical manipulation of functions may find this discussion relevant.

Euler2718
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Very basic issue here.

Using:

\frac{1}{1-x} = \sum_{i=0}^{\infty} x^{i} , |x|&lt;0

Find the power series representation and interval of convergence for:

f(x) = \frac{1}{(1-3x)^{2}}

We have that:

\frac{d}{dx}\left[\frac{1}{1-x}\right] = \frac{1}{(1-x)^{2}} = \sum_{i=0}^{\infty} ix^{i-1} , |x| &lt; 0

Of all things, the algebra of manipulating the function in question is stumping me. For some reason whatever I try doesn't seem to work.
 
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Morgan Chafe said:
Very basic issue here.

Using:

\frac{1}{1-x} = \sum_{i=0}^{\infty} x^{i} , |x|&lt;0

Find the power series representation and interval of convergence for:

f(x) = \frac{1}{(1-3x)^{2}}

We have that:

\frac{d}{dx}\left[\frac{1}{1-x}\right] = \frac{1}{(1-x)^{2}} = \sum_{i=0}^{\infty} ix^{i-1} , |x| &lt; 0
Do you understand what they're doing here? Particularly in getting the summation at the end? This is basically the same as what you need to do with your series.

Also your inequality at the end is wrong. ##|x| \ge 0## for all real x.
Morgan Chafe said:
Of all things, the algebra of manipulating the function in question is stumping me. For some reason whatever I try doesn't seem to work.
 
If I am correct the series converges for all x: |x|<1. When you find the derivative of this series, it can be that the series converges in either -1 and or 1, so you might want to check that.
 
yes, the initial series converges for ##|x|<1##. Observe that in the second case ##x## will be replaced by ##3x##, you must consider that ...
 

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