# Rearranging Series

1. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

As we know the sum of the series ((-1)^(n-1))/(n) is equal to ln2: I have bin asked to rearrange the series so its sum is SQRT2

Also write out the first 20 terms

How should I go about solving. Set original series equal to SQRT 2 and solve from there? Use trial and error until I arrive at the correct series.

2. Nov 30, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
I'll give a small sketch. I'll leave the details to you.

First take some positive terms such that the sum of these terms is just above sqrt(2).
Then take some negative terms such that the sum of all the terms comes back below sqrt(2).
Then take enough positive terms such that the sum comes above sqrt(2) again.
Continue with this process...

3. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

Thanks micromass Im actually gonna come back to that question. While I have u here I have bin posed the following:

Describe the following series and if possible find its limits:

1/4 +1/10+1/18+1/28.....

any ideas??

4. Nov 30, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Well, let's take a look at the sequence 4,10,18,28,...
What is the fifth element of this sequence?
Can you find a general rule for how to obtain the next element in this sequence?
And: more important, can you find a general term for this sequence?

5. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

Well from observing the sequence the next term is 1/40. Correct??

6. Nov 30, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Yes, so the denumerators are the following:

$$4,4+6,4+6+8,4+6+8+10,4+6+8+10+12,...$$

Now try to find a general rule for this sequence.

HINT: you've probably seen that

$$\sum_{k=0}^n{k}=\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$$

use this...

7. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

Well as a rule for the sequence isnt it similar to fibonacci. SO:

fn = fn-1+fn-2

for n>1

8. Nov 30, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
No, this isn't like fibonacci at all. What is the general rule for this sequence?

9. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

the next term is just the previous terms added to the new term.

10. Nov 30, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Indeed. So, if you're given the nth term $$x_n$$. How do you obtain the next term. In other words, fill in the blanks:

$$x_{n+1}=x_n+...$$

HINT:
x_0=4
x_1=x_0+6
x_2=x_1+8
x_3=x_2+10

11. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

I think I have the general rule is it:

1/(n+2)^2 +2

so sub in 0

1/(0+2)^2 +0

1/4

sub in 1

1/(1+2)^2 + 1

1/10....

12. Nov 30, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Yes, that is the general rule. So now you have the series

$$\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{\frac{1}{(n+2)^2+n}}$$

13. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

Great it says find its limit? Is this the sum?

14. Nov 30, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Well, to find the limit of a series is not always possible. But in this case it is.
Try to write the series as a telescopic sum. To do that, split up the fraction

$$\frac{1}{(n+2)^2+n}$$

in partial fractions. This will help a great deal...

15. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

Oh ok should it look like:

1 = A/(n+2)^2 +B/(n+2) + C/n
Then find values for A B and C?

16. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

Giving values of

A = -1/4 B=/1/2 c=1/4

17. Nov 30, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Nonono. First you need to simplify $$(n+2)^2+n$$. Then you need to factor it. Only then can you begin calculating the partial fractions...

18. Nov 30, 2010

### andrey21

Ah ok so that gives n^2 +5n +4 which factors to:

(n+1)(n+4)

Then solving will give values for A and B. Then wot shall i do???

19. Nov 30, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Yes, this is correct. So what are your values for A and B?
What is

$$\frac{1}{(n+1)(n+4)}=...$$?

20. Nov 30, 2010

A = 1/3
b= -1/3