Proving (1+x)g'(x) = kg(x) using Binomial Series | Homework Solution

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the equation (1+x)g'(x) = kg(x) where g(x) is defined as g(x) = ∑(from n=0 to ∞) (k choose n) x^n. The derivative g'(x) is expressed as g'(x) = k∑(from n=0 to ∞) (k-1 choose n) x^n. The proof involves manipulating the series and utilizing the identity for binomial coefficients, specifically that (k-1 choose n) + (k-1 choose n-1) = (k choose n). The final expression confirms the equality by showing that k(1 + ∑(from n=1 to ∞) x^n ( (k-1 choose n) + (k-1 choose n-1))) simplifies to kg(x).

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Homework Statement



[itex]g(x) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty \binom{k}{n} x^n[/itex]

[itex]g'(x) = k\sum_{n=0}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n} x^n[/itex]

prove that (1+x)g'(x) = kg(x)


The Attempt at a Solution



[itex]k(1+x)\sum_{n=0}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n} x^n[/itex]

distribute

[itex]k[\sum_{n=0}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n} x^n + x\sum_{n=0}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n} x^n][/itex]

[itex]k[\sum_{n=0}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n} x^n + \sum_{n=0}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n} x^{n+1}][/itex]

[itex]k[\sum_{n=0}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n} x^n + \sum_{n=1}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n-1} x^n][/itex]

This is where I am stuck. I want to be able to pull out the x^n and add [itex]\binom{k-1}{n} + \binom {k-1}{n-1}[/itex] because I already know when you add those it gives you [itex]\binom{k}{n}[/itex] and I would have my answer, but one series starts at one and the other 0 so I can't pull them out. Please help
 
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Just separate out the first term:
$$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \begin{pmatrix}k-1 \\ n\end{pmatrix}x^n = 1 + \sum_{n=1}^\infty \begin{pmatrix}k-1 \\ n\end{pmatrix}x^n$$
 
Ahhh okay thank you! So:

[itex]k[1 + \sum_{n=1}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n} x^n + \sum_{n=1}^\infty \binom{k-1}{n-1} x^n][/itex]

[itex]k[1 + \sum_{n=1}^\infty x^n ( \binom{k-1}{n} + \binom{k-1}{n-1})][/itex]


[itex]k[1 + \sum_{n=1}^\infty x^n \binom{k}{n}][/itex]


[itex]k\sum_{n=0}^\infty x^n \binom{k}{n}[/itex]
 

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