MHB Prove: 1³ + 3³ + 5³ + 7³ + .... + T³ =

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The discussion revolves around proving the formula for the sum of cubes of odd numbers, specifically 1³ + 3³ + 5³ + ... + T³ = [(T(T+2))² - 1]/8 for odd T. Participants express varying degrees of difficulty and satisfaction with different proof methods, including induction and algebraic derivations. Some contributors prefer derivations over inductive proofs, emphasizing the importance of understanding the foundational reasoning behind results. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of proof techniques in mathematics, particularly the balance between analytical and algebraic approaches. Overall, the thread highlights the complexity and beauty of mathematical proofs related to number theory.
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Hello.

Let \ T \in{N} \ / \ T=odd

Prove:

1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+ ... +T^3=\dfrac{[T(T+2)]^2-1}{8}

Regards.
 
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Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

$$1^3+3^3+5^3+\cdots +T^3$$
$$=(1^3+2^3+3^3+\cdots +T^3)-(2^3+4^3+\cdots (T-1)^3)$$
$$=\frac{T(T+1)(2T+1)}{6}-8\Bigg(1^3+2^3+3^3+\cdots \bigg(\frac{T-1}{2}\bigg)^3\Bigg)$$
$$=\frac{T(T+1)(2T+1)}{6}-8\bigg(\frac{(\frac{T-1}{2})(\frac{T-1}{2}+1)(\frac{2T-2}{2}+1)}{6}\bigg)$$
Someone else can finish this off. I stopped trying. (Tongueout)
 
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

My solution:

Let:

$$S_n=\sum_{k=1}^n\left((2k-1)^3 \right)$$

This gives rise to the linear inhomogeneous difference equation:

$$S_n-S_{n-1}=(2n-1)^3$$ where $$S_1=1$$

We can easily see that the homogenous solution is:

$$h_n=c_1$$

and the particular solution will thus take the form:

$$p_n=n\left(c_2+c_3n+c_4n^2+c_5n^3 \right)=c_2n+c_3n^2+c_4n^3+c_5n^4$$

Substituting the particular solution into the difference equation, we may solve for the parameters using the method of undetermined coefficients:

$$\left(c_2n+c_3n^2+c_4n^3+c_5n^4 \right)-\left(c_2(n-1)+c_3(n-1)^2+c_4(n-1)^3+c_5(n-1)^4 \right)=(2n-1)^3$$

$$4c_5n^3+\left(3c_4-6c_5 \right)n^2+\left(2c_3-3c_4+4c_5 \right)n+\left(c_2-c_3+c_4-c_5 \right)=8n^3-12n^2+6n-1$$

Equating coefficients, we obtain the system:

$$4c_5=8$$

$$3c_4-6c_5=-12$$

$$2c_3-3c_4+4c_5=6$$

$$c_2-c_3+c_4-c_5=-1$$

From this we obtain:

$$\left(c_2,c_3,c_4,c_5 \right)=(2,-1,0,0)$$

Hence, the particular solution is:

$$p_n=2n^4-n^2$$

Hence the general solution to the difference is:

$$S_n=h_n+p_n=c_1+2n^4-n^2$$

Using the initial value, we may determine the value of the parameter $c_1$:

$$S_1=c_1+2-1=c_1+1=1\implies c_1=0$$

Hence, the solution satisfying all conditions is:

$$S_n=2n^4-n^2=\frac{16n^4-8n^2+1-1}{8}=\frac{\left(4n^2-1 \right)^2-1}{8}=\frac{\left((2n-1)(2n+1) \right)^2-1}{8}$$

With $T\equiv2n-1$, we may state:

$$\sum_{k=1}^n\left((2n-1)^3 \right)=\frac{(T(T+2))^2-1}{8}$$
 
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

With all due respect to MarkFL, the simplest proof is
via induction:

Let $T = 2n + 1$. We must then show for all $n \in \Bbb N$:

$\displaystyle \sum_{k = 0}^n (2k + 1)^3 = \frac{[(2n + 1)(2n + 3)]^2 - 1}{8}$

Clearly, we have, for $n = 0$:

$1^3 = \dfrac{[(1)(3)]^2 - 1}{8} = \dfrac{9 - 1}{8} = \dfrac{8}{8} = 1$.

Assume that for $n = m$, we have:

$\displaystyle \sum_{k = 0}^m (2k + 1)^3 = \frac{[(2m + 1)(2m + 3)]^2 - 1}{8}$

Then:

$\displaystyle \sum_{k = 0}^{m+1} (2k + 1)^3 = \left(\sum_{k = 0}^m (2k + 1)^3\right) + (2m + 3)^3$

$\displaystyle = \frac{[(2m + 1)(2m + 3)]^2 - 1}{8} + \frac{8(2m + 3)^3}{8}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{(2m + 3)^2[(2m + 1)^2 + 8(2m + 3)] - 1}{8}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{(2m + 3)^2[4m^2 + 4m + 1 + 16m + 24] - 1}{8}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{(2m + 3)^2[4m^2 + 20m + 25] - 1}{8}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{[(2m + 3)(2m + 5)]^2 - 1}{8}$
QED.
 
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

Hello.

A picturesque prove:

1^3=1

3^3=2+3+4+5+6+7

5^3=8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17

7^3=18+19+20+21+22+23+24+25+26+27+28+29+30+31

...

...

T^3=\dfrac{T^2-2T+1}{2}+ ... +\dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}

It would then be an arithmetic progression.

First term=\ 1

Last term=\dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}

Total number of terms=\dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}

Solution:

1^3+3^3+...+T^3=\dfrac{(1)+(\dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2})}{2} \ \dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}=

=\dfrac{\dfrac{T^2+2T+1}{2}}{2} \ \dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}=

=\dfrac{[T(T+2)]^2-1}{8}

Regards.
 
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

mente oscura said:
Hello.

A picturesque prove:

1^3=1

3^3=2+3+4+5+6+7

5^3=8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17

7^3=18+19+20+21+22+23+24+25+26+27+28+29+30+31

...

...

T^3=\dfrac{T^2-2T+1}{2}+ ... +\dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}

It would then be an arithmetic progression.

First term=\ 1

Last term=\dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}

Total number of terms=\dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}

Solution:

1^3+3^3+...+T^3=\dfrac{(1)+(\dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2})}{2} \ \dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}=

=\dfrac{\dfrac{T^2+2T+1}{2}}{2} \ \dfrac{T^2+2T-1}{2}=

=\dfrac{[T(T+2)]^2-1}{8}

Regards.

As with many such proofs, I found your opening statements the most difficult to justify to myself. However:

[sp][math]\sum_{k=1}^{2T}\left[\frac{T^2 - 2T + 1}{2} + k-1\right][/math]

[math]= 2T\left(\frac{T^2 - 2T + 1}{2}\right) + \sum_{k=1}^{2T} k-1[/math]

[math]= T(T-1)^2 + \sum_{j=1}^{2T-1}j[/math]

[math]= T(T-1)^2 + \frac{(2T-1)(2T)}{2}[/math]

[math]= T(T^2 - 2T + 1) + T(2T - 1) = T^3[/math][/sp]

as you indeed claim, so I am satisfied :)
 
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

Deveno said:
With all due respect to MarkFL, the simplest proof is
via induction:

Let $T = 2n + 1$. We must then show for all $n \in \Bbb N$:

$\displaystyle \sum_{k = 0}^n (2k + 1)^3 = \frac{[(2n + 1)(2n + 3)]^2 - 1}{8}$

Clearly, we have, for $n = 0$:

$1^3 = \dfrac{[(1)(3)]^2 - 1}{8} = \dfrac{9 - 1}{8} = \dfrac{8}{8} = 1$.

Assume that for $n = m$, we have:

$\displaystyle \sum_{k = 0}^m (2k + 1)^3 = \frac{[(2m + 1)(2m + 3)]^2 - 1}{8}$

Then:

$\displaystyle \sum_{k = 0}^{m+1} (2k + 1)^3 = \left(\sum_{k = 0}^m (2k + 1)^3\right) + (2m + 3)^3$

$\displaystyle = \frac{[(2m + 1)(2m + 3)]^2 - 1}{8} + \frac{8(2m + 3)^3}{8}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{(2m + 3)^2[(2m + 1)^2 + 8(2m + 3)] - 1}{8}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{(2m + 3)^2[4m^2 + 4m + 1 + 16m + 24] - 1}{8}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{(2m + 3)^2[4m^2 + 20m + 25] - 1}{8}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{[(2m + 3)(2m + 5)]^2 - 1}{8}$
QED.

Yes, being given the closed form, induction is indeed simpler and more straightforward. However, I wanted to derive the result instead. :D
 
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

Mostly a derivation is a little bit more satisfactory than a proof by induction. Well, at least for me (Sun)
 
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

ZaidAlyafey said:
Mostly a derivation is a little bit more satisfactory than a proof by induction. Well, at least for me (Sun)

This is understandable...most inductive proofs come about by "already knowing the answer", which begs the question: "how did you find the answer in the FIRST place?"

Of course, one might make an "inductive leap" by observing what appears to be a pattern, but in many cases, the complexity grows so fast that it appears impossible to use such an approach "all the time".

I find mente oscura's proof a "middle ground", he does not use induction per se (although it is certainly lurking in the background with the closed form for an arithmetic progression), but it is still presented on more or less "elementary terms" using only basic algebraic tools.

That said, it is often the case that "sophisticated methods" are powerful tools for investigating structures much simpler than the more complicated settings they arise in. The better one is versed in such methods, the wider array of problems one is able to tackle with them.

One final note:

The theory of difference equations depends in an essential way on the ability to recursively define functions, the soundness of such an approach is actually equivalent to the principle of induction (without which no recursive definition would even be possible). Usually this is way,way in the background, and taken as given.

I myself am more fond of the "idiot's approach", perhaps a sign of my own limited imagination...certainly MarkFL's proof is impressive in its scope, and one I would not have thought of until I saw it. It has an undeniably "analytic" flavor, leading me to believe he is more at home with analytic methods than algebraic ones, and perhaps Zaid's enthusiasm for his proof indicates a similar propensity.

(When I took analysis, I enjoyed the theorems, but I simply *detested* the exercises, which seemed to me to be boring chores in symbolic manipulation).
 
  • #10
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

Another approach is to use the Euler-Macluarin summation formula.

$$\sum_{k=1}^{n} (2n-1)^{3} = \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} (2n+1)^{3} = \int_{0}^{n} (2x+1)^{3} \ dx + B_{1} \Big((2n+1)^3 - 1 \Big) + \frac{B_{2}}{2!} \Big(6(2n+1)^2-6\Big) $$

$$ = \frac{1}{8} \Big((2n+1)^{4} -1 \Big) - \frac{1}{2} \Big((2n+1)^{3}-1 \Big) + \frac{1}{2} \Big((2n+1)^{2}-1 \Big)$$

$$ = \frac{(2n+1)^{4} - 4 (2n+1)^{3}+ 4(2n+1)^{2}-1}{8}$$

$$ = \frac{(2n+1)^{2}\Big( (2n+1)^{2}-4(2n+1)+4 \Big)-1}{8} = \frac{(2n+1)^{2}(2n-1)^{2}-1}{8}$$
 
Last edited:
  • #11
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

Best answer of all, RV. You're a genius. Period.
 
  • #12
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

Hello.

I have opened a thread in which I expose a few formulas, in which I I've based, for this issue.

In Number Theory.

Regards.
 
  • #13
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=



Using this, notice that
\displaystyle \begin{align*} 2^3 + 4^3 + 6^3 + \dots + \left( 2n \right) ^3 &= \left( 2 \cdot 1 \right) ^3 + \left( 2 \cdot 2 \right) ^3 + \left( 2 \cdot 3 \right) ^3 + \dots + \left( 2 \cdot n \right) ^3 \\ &= 2^3 \cdot 1^3 + 2^3 \cdot 2^3 + 2^3 \cdot 3^3 + \dots + 2^3 \cdot n^3 \\ &= 2^3 \left( 1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 + \dots + n^3 \right) \\ &= 8 \left\{ \frac{1}{4} \left[ n \left( n + 1 \right) \right]^2 \right\} \\ &= 2 \left[ n \left( n + 1 \right) \right] ^2 \end{align*}

and thus, with \displaystyle \begin{align*} T = 2n + 1 \end{align*}, we have

\displaystyle \begin{align*} 1^3 + 3^3 + 5^3 + \dots + T^3 &= 1^3 + 3^3 + 5^3 + \dots + \left( 2n + 1 \right) ^3 \\ &= \left[ 1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 + \dots + \left( 2n \right) ^3 + \left( 2n + 1 \right) ^3 \right] - \left[ 2^3 + 4^3 + 6^3 + \dots + \left( 2n \right) ^3 \right] \\ &= \frac{1}{4} \left[ \left( 2n + 1 \right) \left( 2n + 1 + 1 \right) \right] ^2 - 2 \left[ n \left( n + 1 \right) \right] ^2 \\ &= \left( 2n + 1 \right) ^2 \left( n + 1 \right) ^2 - 2n^2 \left( n + 1 \right) ^2 \\ &= \left( n + 1 \right) ^2 \left[ \left( 2n + 1 \right) ^2 - 2n^2 \right] \\ &= \left( \frac{T + 1}{2} \right) ^2 \left[ T^2 - \frac{\left( T - 1 \right) ^2 }{2} \right] \\ &= \frac{\left( T + 1 \right) ^2}{4} \left[ \frac{T^2 + 2T - 1}{2} \right] \\ &= \frac{\left( T + 1 \right) ^2 \left[ \left( T + 1 \right) ^2 - 2 \right] }{8} \\ &= \frac{ \left( T + 1 \right) ^4 - 2 \left( T + 1 \right) ^2 }{8} \\ &= \frac{ T^4 + 4T^3 + 6T^2 + 4T + 1 - 2T^2 - 4T - 2 }{8} \\ &= \frac{T^4 + 4T^3 + 4T^2 - 1}{8} \\ &= \frac{T^2 \left( T^2 + 4T + 4 \right) - 1}{8} \\ &= \frac{T^2 \left( T + 2 \right) ^2 - 1}{8} \\ &= \frac{\left[ T \left( T + 2 \right) \right] ^2 - 1}{8} \end{align*}

Q.E.D. :D
 
  • #14
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

Deveno said:
This is understandable...most inductive proofs come about by "already knowing the answer", which begs the question: "how did you find the answer in the FIRST place?"

Of course, one might make an "inductive leap" by observing what appears to be a pattern, but in many cases, the complexity grows so fast that it appears impossible to use such an approach "all the time".

I find mente oscura's proof a "middle ground", he does not use induction per se (although it is certainly lurking in the background with the closed form for an arithmetic progression), but it is still presented on more or less "elementary terms" using only basic algebraic tools.

That said, it is often the case that "sophisticated methods" are powerful tools for investigating structures much simpler than the more complicated settings they arise in. The better one is versed in such methods, the wider array of problems one is able to tackle with them.

One final note:

The theory of difference equations depends in an essential way on the ability to recursively define functions, the soundness of such an approach is actually equivalent to the principle of induction (without which no recursive definition would even be possible). Usually this is way,way in the background, and taken as given.

I myself am more fond of the "idiot's approach", perhaps a sign of my own limited imagination...certainly MarkFL's proof is impressive in its scope, and one I would not have thought of until I saw it. It has an undeniably "analytic" flavor, leading me to believe he is more at home with analytic methods than algebraic ones, and perhaps Zaid's enthusiasm for his proof indicates a similar propensity.

(When I took analysis, I enjoyed the theorems, but I simply *detested* the exercises, which seemed to me to be boring chores in symbolic manipulation).

At first glance when I saw the question I thought about induction. Usually I don't like the discrete and I am in favor of continuity. But as I am majoring in computer science it is becoming a must that I employ the discrete methods. The transformation from a discrete quantity to a continuous quantity and vice versa is usually an interesting question. Winding numbers in algebraic topology is an example of such interesting transformations.

PS: Sorry for the OP for the off-topic discussion but usually a proof by induction carries lots of discussions afterwards .
 
  • #15
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

A bit of justification on the solution I posted:

In my solution, I assumed the general solution would take the form:

$$S_n=An^4+Bn^3+Cn^2+Dn+E$$

This being the superposition of the homogenous and particular solutions. Recall I began with the linear difference equation (which I will arrange recursively):

$$S_n=S_{n-1}+(2n-1)^3$$

Let's expand the binomial:

(1) $$S_{n}=S_{n-1}+8n^3-12n^2+6n-1$$

We may of course also write the equivalent:

(2) $$S_{n+1}=S_{n}+8(n+1)^3-12(n+1)^2+6(n+1)-1$$

Subtracting (1) from (2) we obtain:

(3) $$S_{n+1}=2S_{n}-S_{n-1}+24n^2+2$$

(4) $$S_{n+2}=2S_{n+1}-S_{n}+24(n+1)^2+2$$

Subtracting (3) from (4) we obtain:

(5) $$S_{n+2}=3S_{n+1}-3S_{n}+S_{n-1}+48n+24$$

(6) $$S_{n+3}=3S_{n+2}-3S_{n+1}+S_{n}+48(n+1)+24$$

Subtracting (5) from (6) we obtain:

(7) $$S_{n+3}=4S_{n+2}-6S_{n+1}+4S_{n}-S_{n-1}+48$$

(8) $$S_{n+4}=4S_{n+3}-6S_{n+2}+4S_{n+1}-S_{n}+48$$

Subtracting (7) from (8) we obtain:

$$S_{n+4}=5S_{n+3}-10S_{n+2}+10S_{n+1}-5S_{n}+S_{n-1}$$

From this method of symbolic differencing, we now have a homogenous recursion whose associated characteristic equation is:

$$r^5-5r^4+10r^3-10r^2+5r-1=(r-1)^5=0$$

Since we have the characteristic root $r=1$ of multiplicity 5, we know the general solution must have the form:

$$S_n=An^4+Bn^3+Cn^2+Dn+E$$
 
  • #16
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

Upon further reflection and reading of this thread, I feel my post is incomplete, as the picture I posted, while beautiful, only suggests a patterns and shows its statement is true for the first five natural numbers. Although the pattern is obvious, I don't feel it is proved...

View attachment 1813

If we are trying to prove \displaystyle \begin{align*} 1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 + \dots + n^3 = \frac{1}{4} \left[ n \left( n + 1 \right) \right] ^2 \end{align*} then Base Step (\displaystyle \begin{align*} n = 1 \end{align*}):

\displaystyle \begin{align*} LHS &= 1^3 \\ &= 1 \\ \\ RHS &= \frac{1}{4} \left[ 1 \cdot \left( 1 + 1 \right) \right] ^2 \\ &= \frac{1}{4} \cdot 2^2 \\ &= 1 \\ &= LHS \end{align*}

Assume the statement is true for \displaystyle \begin{align*} n = k \end{align*}, i.e. \displaystyle \begin{align*} 1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 + \dots + k^3 &= \frac{1}{4} \left[ k \left( k + 1 \right) \right] ^2 \end{align*}

Now show the statement is true for \displaystyle \begin{align*} n = k + 1 \end{align*}, i.e. show \displaystyle \begin{align*} 1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 + \dots + k^3 + \left( k + 1 \right) ^3 &= \frac{1}{4} \left[ \left( k + 1 \right) \left( k + 2 \right) \right] ^2 \end{align*}

Inductive Step:

\displaystyle \begin{align*} 1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 + \dots + k^3 + \left( k + 1 \right) ^3 &= \frac{1}{4} \left[ k \left( k + 1 \right) \right] ^2 + \left( k + 1 \right) ^3 \\ &= \frac{1}{4} k^2 \left( k + 1 \right) ^2 + \left( k + 1 \right) ^3 \\ &= \left( k + 1 \right) ^2 \left[ \frac{1}{4}k^2 + k + 1 \right] \\ &= \frac{1}{4} \left( k + 1 \right) ^2 \left( k^2 + 4k + 4 \right) \\ &= \frac{1}{4} \left( k + 1 \right) ^2 \left( k + 2 \right) ^2 \end{align*}

Q.E.D.
 

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  • #17
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

I've always found it fascinating that:

$$\sum_{k=1}^n k^3 = \left[\sum_{k=1}^n k\right]^2$$
 
  • #18
Re: Prove: 1^3+3^3+5^3+7^3+...+T^3=

Do you think this is fascinating too :

$$\sum_{d|n} \tau(d)^3 = \left [ \sum_{d|n} \tau(d) \right ]^2$$

or

$$\sum_{k = 1}^n n^3 = \left [ \sum_{k = 1}^n n \right ]^2$$

And if you do, how about the multisets

$$\{1, 2, 2, 3, 5\}, \{3, 3, 3, 3, 6\}, \text{etc}$$

with the same property but in neither of the three classes, including the one you've given above. Also, [Hold you chair and don't freak out!]

$$\bigg \{\frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, \frac23, 2, 2, 10 \bigg\}$$

$$\{1 + 11678679130451250771390i, 10114032809617941274227 + 5839339565225625385695i\}$$

They have some strange properties, mostly of number theoretic interest, although there might be something for you here :

$$\{1, 2, 3\} \otimes \{1, 2\} = \{1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 6\}$$

This operation forms a semigroup.

PS : All of these are recorded in MMF in 5 topics : http://www.mymathforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=37609, http://www.mymathforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=40594, http://www.mymathforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=40612, http://www.mymathforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=41547, http://www.mymathforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=41825 [read by order].
 

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