Proving the sum of squared odd numbers

  • Thread starter Duderonimous
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Numbers Sum
In summary, the problem is to prove that 1^{2}+3^{2}+...+(2n+1)^{2} = \frac{(n+1)(2n+1)(2n+3)}{3} by using the known formula 1^{2}+2^{2}+...+n^{2} = \frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}. The solution involves subtracting 2 * (1^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 ...) from the formula for 1^{2}+2^{2}+...+n^{2}, which simplifies to 2^2(1^2 + 2^
  • #1
Duderonimous
63
1

Homework Statement


A problem out of "What is Mathematics" by Courant and Robbins

Prove that

1[itex]^{2}[/itex]+3[itex]^{2}[/itex]+...+(2n+1)[itex]^{2}[/itex] =

[itex]\frac{(n+1)(2n+1)(2n+3)}{3}[/itex]

Homework Equations



Prove this using

1[itex]^{2}[/itex]+2[itex]^{2}[/itex]+...+n[itex]^{2}[/itex] =

[itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried seeing how the ratio of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd terms of each sequence change as one goes on in the sequence. Like 1/1 =1, 5/10 =.5, 14/35=.4, 30/84=.357142857143... I didn't get much insight there. I know I have to start with the second equation and divide or multiply it by something to get the first equation. Cant figure out that term would be. Any help would be great! Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
start with the 1^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 ... which you know the sum formula for to

and subtract 2 * (1^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 ...) from it to get 1^2 + 3^2 + 5^2

do you see the solution now?
 
  • #3
Duderonimous said:

Homework Statement


A problem out of "What is Mathematics" by Courant and Robbins

Prove that

1[itex]^{2}[/itex]+3[itex]^{2}[/itex]+...+(2n+1)[itex]^{2}[/itex] =

[itex]\frac{(n+1)(2n+1)(2n+3)}{3}[/itex]

Homework Equations



Prove this using

1[itex]^{2}[/itex]+2[itex]^{2}[/itex]+...+n[itex]^{2}[/itex] =

[itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried seeing how the ratio of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd terms of each sequence change as one goes on in the sequence. Like 1/1 =1, 5/10 =.5, 14/35=.4, 30/84=.357142857143... I didn't get much insight there. I know I have to start with the second equation and divide or multiply it by something to get the first equation. Cant figure out that term would be. Any help would be great! Thanks.

I don't see that looking at the ratios will get you anywhere.

You are given the formula for the sum of the squares of the first n integers. Use that formula to get the sum of the squares of the first (2n + 1) integers, and then subtract the sum of the squares of the first n even integers.

As a simple example, ##1^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 + 4^2 + 5^2 = (1^2 + 3^2 + 5^2) + 2^2 + 4^2)##, so
##(1^2 + 3^2 + 5^2) = 1^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 + 4^2 + 5^2 - (2^2 + 4^2)##

That last part can be simplified to ##2^2(1^2 + 2^2)##.
 
  • #4
So. You have to find a formula for a sum over odd squared integers.
Start with [itex]1+2^2+3^2...+(2n)^2+(2n+1)^2 [/itex] , which is going to be your sum of the odd squares plus 4*(1+2^2+3^2...+n^2). Then f(n)=1+2^2...+n^2 , you'll have f(2n+1)=x+4*f(n) (x being your odd sum).
 
Last edited:
  • #5
Ahh! Thank you so much both of you. It's amazing how the solution is pretty much smacking you in the face, but nonetheless I am numb.
 
  • #6
f(n)=(12+32+...+(2n+1)2)+(22+42+...+(2n)2)

[itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex]=(12+32+...+(2n+1)2)+4(12+22+...+n2)

[itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex]=(12+32+...+(2n+1)2)+4([itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex])

(12+32+...+(2n+1)2)=[itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex]-4([itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex])

(12+32+...+(2n+1)2)=-[itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{2}[/itex]

I can't figure out how to derive [itex]\frac{(n+1)(2n+1)(2n+3)}{3}[/itex]

Any help is appreciated!
 
  • #7
Duderonimous said:
f(n)=(12+32+...+(2n+1)2)+(22+42+...+(2n)2)

[itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex]=(12+32+...+(2n+1)2)+4(12+22+...+n2)
Just because
[itex]1^2 + 2^2 + ... + n^2 = \frac{n(n + 1)(2n + 1)}{6}[/itex]
doesn't mean that
[itex]1^2 + 2^2 + ... + (2n + 1)^2 = \frac{n(n + 1)(2n + 1)}{6}[/itex]
... which looks like what you are saying. What you need to do is plug in "2n + 1" for "n" on the right side of the formula:
[tex]1^2 + 2^2 + ... + (2n + 1)^2 = \frac{(2n + 1)[(2n + 1) + 1][2(2n + 1) + 1]}{6}[/tex]
Try it from here.
 
  • #8
Thank you much.
 

What is the sum of squared odd numbers?

The sum of squared odd numbers is the sum of all the odd numbers that have been squared, or multiplied by themselves.

Why is it important to prove the sum of squared odd numbers?

Proving the sum of squared odd numbers is important because it can help in understanding patterns and relationships between odd numbers. It also has real world applications in fields such as mathematics and physics.

How do you prove the sum of squared odd numbers?

To prove the sum of squared odd numbers, you can use mathematical induction, which involves showing that the formula holds for the first few cases, and then proving that if it holds for any given case, it must also hold for the next case.

What is the formula for finding the sum of squared odd numbers?

The formula for finding the sum of squared odd numbers is (n/2)(2n+1), where n is the number of odd numbers being squared.

Can the sum of squared odd numbers be proven using other methods?

Yes, there are other methods such as using geometric proofs or algebraic proofs to prove the sum of squared odd numbers. However, mathematical induction is the most commonly used method for this proof.

Similar threads

  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
286
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
893
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
259
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
Back
Top