Proof of Exp(x)*Exp(y)=Exp(x+y) - Help Appreciated!

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving the identity exp(x) * exp(y) = exp(x + y) using series expansion. The proof employs the Cauchy product of series, transitioning from the third to the fourth line by changing the order of summation and applying the binomial coefficient. Participants clarify the steps involved, particularly the evaluation of the product of infinite series, referencing Rudin's work on absolute convergence. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the manipulation of series in mathematical proofs.

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cliowa
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This should be a proof of the fact that exp(x)*exp(y)=exp(x+y). Have a look at it:
<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \exp(x)\cdot\exp(y)&amp;=\left(\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{x^k}{k!}\right)\cdot\left(\sum_{\ell=0}^{\infty}\frac{y^{\ell}}{\ell!}\right)\\<br /> &amp;=\sum_{k,\ell=0}^{\infty}\frac{x^ky^{\ell}}{k!\ell!}=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\left(\sum_{\ell=0}^{\infty}\frac{x^ky^{\ell}}{k!\ell!}\right)\\<br /> &amp;\stackrel{(\ell=n-k)}{=}\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\left(\sum_{n=k}^{\infty}\frac{n!}{n!}\frac{x^ky^{n-k}}{k!(n-k)!}\right)\\<br /> &amp;=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\left(\sum_{n=k}^{\infty}\left(\begin{array}{*{1}{c}}n\\k\end{array}\right)\frac{x^ky^{n-k}}{n!}\right)\\<br /> &amp;=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{\left(\sum_{k=0}^n\left(\begin{array}{*{1}{c}}n\\k\end{array}\right)x^ky^{n-k}\right)}{n!}\\<br /> &amp;=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(x+y)^n}{n!}=\exp(x+y)<br /> \end{align*}<br />
Now, I understand everything fairly well, except for one step: what is the operation to get from the 4th line to the 5th?
Help will be appreciated very much.
Best regards...Cliowa
 
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There's a typo, the 5th line should be:

=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{\left(\sum_{k=0}^n\left (\begin{array}{*{1}{c}}n\\k\end{array}\right)x^ky^ {n-k}\right)}{n!}

They've just changed the order of summation.
 
A little help from Rudin

I'm not sure the formula used to evaluate the product of the infinite series [going from line # 3 -> #4] is correct (though it may well be correct), Rudin gives the formula for the Cauchy product of series as it is presented in this http://mwt.e-technik.uni-ulm.de/world/lehre/basic_mathematics/di/node14.php3 .

A quick version is:

Suppose \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n and \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} b_n converge absolutely. Then

\left( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n\right) \left( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} b_n\right) = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \sum_{k=0}^{n} a_{k}b_{n-k} also converges absolutely.

Alternately, look here, under the heading A Variant.
 
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@shmoe: Thanks a lot, you really opened my eyes. Thank you very much. It seems clear now.

@benorin: I do think going from line 3 to 4 is alright, because all you do is you write n!/(k!*n-k)!) as the binomial coefficient of n and k, which works fine. Thanks anyway, the link was quite useful.

Best regards...Cliowa
 
Lines 1 to 5 are essentially deriving the Cauchy product for these two series (with some algebraic simplification mixed in and not mentioning where absolute convergence is used). cliowa, you might want try to applying the form benorin gave to line 1 directly.
 

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