Showing the sum of this telescoping series

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the convergence of the series \(\sum_{i=1}^{\infty} \frac{6}{9i^{2}+6i-8}\) and finding its sum if it converges. The subject area includes series convergence tests and partial fraction decomposition.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the divergence test, noting it is inconclusive. They explore partial fraction decomposition and analyze the structure of the nth sum, questioning how to generalize the cancellation of terms in the series.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing insights on the telescoping nature of the series. Some have offered guidance on including general terms in the expansion to illustrate the cancellation process, while others are still seeking clarity on how to express this generally.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the specific terms that do not cancel in the series, and participants are considering how to express these cancellations systematically. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to understand the series without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Euler2718
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Homework Statement



Determine whether each of the following series is convergent or divergent. If the series is convergent, find its sum

\sum_{i=1}^{\infty} \frac{6}{9i^{2}+6i-8}

Homework Equations



Partial fraction decomposition

\frac{1}{3i-2} - \frac{1}{3i+4}

The Attempt at a Solution



The divergence test is inconclusive, so I wrote as partial fractions and started analysing the nth sum:

S_{n} = \left( 1-\frac{1}{7} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{10} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{7} - \frac{1}{13} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{10} - \frac{1}{16} \right) + \dots

1 and 1/4 are the only terms that do not cancel, but how do I show this in the nth case? I'm having trouble writing it generally.
 
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Morgan Chafe said:

Homework Statement



Determine whether each of the following series is convergent or divergent. If the series is convergent, find its sum

\sum_{i=1}^{\infty} \frac{6}{9i^{2}+6i-8}

Homework Equations



Partial fraction decomposition

\frac{1}{3i-2} - \frac{1}{3i+4}

The Attempt at a Solution



The divergence test is inconclusive, so I wrote as partial fractions and started analysing the nth sum:

S_{n} = \left( 1-\frac{1}{7} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{10} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{7} - \frac{1}{13} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{10} - \frac{1}{16} \right) + \dots

1 and 1/4 are the only terms that do not cancel, but how do I show this in the nth case? I'm having trouble writing it generally.
Include the general term in your expansion:
##S_{n} = \left( 1-\frac{1}{7} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{10} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{7} - \frac{1}{13} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{10} - \frac{1}{16} \right) + \dots + \left( \frac{1}{3n-2} - \frac{1}{3n+4} \right) + \dots##
If you add in the term before and the one after the last term I wrote above, you should see how the telescoping happens.
 
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Morgan Chafe said:

Homework Statement



Determine whether each of the following series is convergent or divergent. If the series is convergent, find its sum

\sum_{i=1}^{\infty} \frac{6}{9i^{2}+6i-8}

Homework Equations



Partial fraction decomposition

\frac{1}{3i-2} - \frac{1}{3i+4}

The Attempt at a Solution



The divergence test is inconclusive, so I wrote as partial fractions and started analysing the nth sum:

S_{n} = \left( 1-\frac{1}{7} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{10} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{7} - \frac{1}{13} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{10} - \frac{1}{16} \right) + \dots

1 and 1/4 are the only terms that do not cancel, but how do I show this in the nth case? I'm having trouble writing it generally.

Show that for every term of the form ##1/(2n)## there will be another term ##-1/(2n)## (corresponding to just two possible values of ##i##) and for every term ##1/(2n+1)## there is a cancelling term ##-1/(2n+1)##---again, corresponding to exactly two values of ##i##.
 
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Ray Vickson said:
Show that for every term of the form ##1/(2n)## there will be another term ##-1/(2n)## (corresponding to just two possible values of ##i##) and for every term ##1/(2n+1)## there is a cancelling term ##-1/(2n+1)##---again, corresponding to exactly two values of ##i##.
Mark44 said:
Include the general term in your expansion:
##S_{n} = \left( 1-\frac{1}{7} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{10} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{7} - \frac{1}{13} \right) + \left( \frac{1}{10} - \frac{1}{16} \right) + \dots + \left( \frac{1}{3n-2} - \frac{1}{3n+4} \right) + \dots##
If you add in the term before and the one after the last term I wrote above, you should see how the telescoping happens.

Thanks guys, I got it now.
 

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