Power Series Representation of (1+x)/(1-x)

Desharnais
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



For the power series representation of, f(x)=1+x1−x which is 1+2∑from n=1 to inf (x^n), Where does the added 1 in front come from? How do I get to this answer from ∑n=0 to inf (x^n)+∑n=0 to inf (x^(n+1))

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I arrived at ∑n=0 to inf x^n + ∑ n=0 to inf x^(n+1)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The 1 in front comes from using long division to isolate the 1/(1-x) term. I'm not sure what you're asking in your second question though. If you want to change the index of a summation, you can do it entirely artificially. Namely, if you want \sum_{n=1}^\infty x^n to look like a sum where the lower index starts at 0 instead of 1, define a new index k = n-1.
 
##x^0=1##
 
Rereading your question, I now understand what you are saying. Have you been doing as suggested? Use long division to break up the rational function, then use vela's comment about how x^0 = 1 and you'll get the answer your originally posted.
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
Back
Top