Proving Euler's Formula using infinite series.

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Homework Help Overview

The original poster attempts to prove that both sin(x) and cos(x) are absolutely convergent by using their power series representations and the relationship defined by Euler's formula. The discussion revolves around the convergence properties of these trigonometric functions in the context of infinite series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of various convergence tests, such as the Ratio Test and the properties of the exponential function, to establish the absolute convergence of sin(x) and cos(x). Some participants suggest that the absolute convergence of the exponential function may suffice for the proof, while others question the necessity of proving the absolute convergence of the trigonometric functions themselves.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the connections between the series for sin(x), cos(x), and the exponential function. Some participants have provided insights into the structure of the series and the implications of absolute convergence, while others express uncertainty about the necessity of certain proofs. The discussion remains open with no explicit consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster is focused on proving the absolute convergence of sin(x) and cos(x) specifically, while also acknowledging that the absolute convergence of the exponential function could be a simpler route. There is a mention of the implications of conditional convergence in relation to the proof being discussed.

Bruce3
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Homework Statement


I need to show that both sin(x) and cos(x) are absolutely convergent.

Here's my work so far,

Theorem:
ℯix = cos(x) + i*sin(x) (1)
Proof:
This proof will be one using the power series. Note:
i = i, i^2 = -1 i^3 = -i, i^4 = 1, i^5 = i i^6 = -1 i^7 = -i i^8 = 1, etc. for all positive integers
and that the infinite series for sin(x) and cos(x), from the Taylor Series, are as follows:
sin(x) = 1 - x^2/2! + x^4/4! - x^6/6! + x^8/8! - x^10/10! + …
cos(x) = x/1! - x^3/3! + x^5/5! - x^7/7! + x^9/9! - x^11/11! + ...
Using the power series definition for ℯz, we can say that the power series could be written as:
ℯ^(z) = 1 + z/1! + z^2/2! + z^3/3! + z^4/4! + … + The infinite sum, starting at 0, of z^n/n!
Using equation (2), Euler did, and we will using ix for our exponent, and treat the imaginary i product with x as a real number. This gives:
ℯix = 1/0! + ix/1! + (ix)2/2! + (ix)3/3! + (ix)4/4! + … + The infinite sum, starting at 0, of z^n/n!
This gives the result of:
ℯ^(ix) = 1 + ix/1! -x^2/2! - ix^3/3! + x^4/4! + ix^5/5! -x^6/6! - ix^7/7! + x^8/8! + ...
We can separate the terms to be such that:
ℯ^(ix) = (1 - x^2/2! + x^4/4! -x^6/6! + x^8/8! - …) + (ix/1! - ix^3/3! + ix^5/5! - ix^7/7! + ... )
If we separate the term i out of the terms containing i we can see
ℯ^(ix) = (1 - x^2/2! + x^4/4! -x^6/6! + x^8/8! - …) + i(x/1! - x^3/3! + x^5/5! - x^7/7! + ... )
Interestingly, we can see that the series that has i as a factor and the other that is not, are both infinite series. The former being sin(x) and the latter being cos(x). The only thing we need to prove is that the two series are absolutely convergent.
From Calculus we know that there is a theorem to test absolute convergence:
By looking at the series ℯx we can determine if cos(x) converges absolutely. To do that we have the following rule.


...
A series is absolutely convergent if the sum of the absolute values of the terms is also convergent.
Which means that we can express ℯix as:
ℯix = cos(x) + i*sin(x)
Which is what we were trying to prove.


Homework Equations



All forms of convergence tests (i.e. Ratio Test, Integral Test, Alternating Series test etc.)

The Attempt at a Solution



I have tried to use all three tests, but have failed. Any help is very appreciated.
I know that e^(x) is absolutely convergent I'm just trying to make the connection.
 
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So just to see if I'm understanding your problem, you're just having trouble showing that sin and cosine are absolutely convergant?

Well, let's look at this.

\sum_{n \mathop = 0}^\infty \left|{\left({-1}\right)^n \frac {x^{2n}}{\left({2n}\right)!}}\right| = \sum_{n \mathop = 0}^\infty \frac {\left|{x}\right|^{2n}}{\left({2n}\right)!}

Next step is to realize that the right hand side is simply the even terms of this series below.

\sum_{n \mathop = 0}^\infty \frac {\left|{x}\right|^n}{n!}

From here, I hope you can finish making the last two final connections you need!
 
MarneMath said:
So just to see if I'm understanding your problem, you're just having trouble showing that sin and cosine are absolutely convergant?

Well, let's look at this.

\sum_{n \mathop = 0}^\infty \left|{\left({-1}\right)^n \frac {x^{2n}}{\left({2n}\right)!}}\right| = \sum_{n \mathop = 0}^\infty \frac {\left|{x}\right|^{2n}}{\left({2n}\right)!}

Next step is to realize that the right hand side is simply the even terms of this series below.

\sum_{n \mathop = 0}^\infty \frac {\left|{x}\right|^n}{n!}

From here, I hope you can finish making the last two final connections you need!

You do not need the absolute convergence of sine and cosine for this proof, the absolute convergence of the exponential function suffices. The proof holds true even if sine and cosine were conditionally convergent (which they are not.)
 
I'm aware, I was mostly focusing on this aspect of the OP's problem:

"The only thing we need to prove is that the two series are absolutely convergent."

Of course, it's easy to show by the ratio test that exp[x] is absolutely convergent, but why go the easy route.

Edit:

"The proof holds true even if sine and cosine were conditionally convergent "

Actually, I'm not sure if this is true generally speaking. I'm willing to say that by the definition of absolute convergences this can be shown to not be true. A non-negative series cannot converge if there exist a non-negative sub sequence that does not converge.
 
Last edited:

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