Solving for the finite sum of squares using calculus

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    Calculus Finite Sum
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a method to explicitly sum the series \(\sum_{i=0}^{n}(i+1)^2 \binom{n}{i}\) using calculus techniques. Participants explore various approaches, including derivatives and integrals, to derive the sum.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using the derivative of the generating function \(1+x+x^2+\ldots+x^n=\frac{x^{n+1}-1}{x-1}\) to derive related sums.
  • Another participant breaks down \((i+1)^2\) into \(i^2 + 2i + 1\) and attempts to manipulate the binomial coefficients accordingly.
  • A participant expresses difficulty in progressing with the problem, indicating it was found in a calculus textbook and implies a calculus-based solution is expected.
  • One participant proposes a method involving multiplying the binomial expansion by \(x\) and differentiating, leading to a formula involving \(n\) and powers of \(x\).
  • Another participant acknowledges the result derived by a previous contributor and mentions finding an alternative solution using antiderivatives, leading to a similar conclusion through integration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple approaches and methods to tackle the problem, indicating that there is no consensus on a single solution or method. Several competing views and techniques are explored without resolution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various mathematical manipulations and assumptions that may not be fully resolved, such as the dependence on specific definitions or the handling of binomial coefficients in different contexts.

zoki85
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Is there some way that using calculus we can explicitely sum up :
[tex]\sum_{i=0}^{n}(i+1)^2 \binom{n}{i}=[/tex]
?

For example,applying the derivative to the both sides of expression
[itex]1+x+x^2+...+x^n=\frac{x^{n+1}-1}{x-1}[/itex]
we quickly get how much is [itex]1+2x+3x^2+...+nx^{n-1}=[/itex].
But I don't know what to do with the first sum.Tryed binomial theorem and some identies but couldn't make use of them.
Thanks for your advice in advance.
 
Last edited:
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You can use this ideas:

[tex](i+1)^2=i^2+2i+1[/tex]

.
[tex]i^2\times\frac{n!}{i!(n-i)!}=i\times\frac{i\times n!}{i!(n-i)!}=[/tex]
.

[tex]i\times\frac{n\times (n-1)!}{(i-1)!(n-i)!}=<br /> i\times\frac{n\times (n-1)!}{(i-1)!(n-i)!}=[/tex]
.

[tex]n\times\frac{(i-1+1)\times (n-1)!}{(i-1)!(n-i)!}=[/tex]
.
[tex]n\times\frac{(n-1)!}{(i-1)!(n-i)!}+n\times\frac{(i-1)\times (n-1)!}{(i-1)!(n-i)!}=[/tex]

.
[tex]n\times\frac{(n-1)!}{(i-1)!(n-i)!}+n\times\frac{(n-1)\times (n-2)!}{(i-2)!(n-i)!}[/tex]
 
Last edited:
Well I tryed and I couldn't make much of progress with this.
This problem I found in one of my calculus textbooks and I think we are supposed to use calculus methods somehow...
 
I think you can do the sum like this

(1+x)^n=nC0+nC1x+...+nCnx^n
Multiply both sides by x
x(1+x)^n=nC0x+nC1x^2+...+nCnx^(n+1)
Differentiate both sides wrtx
(1+x)^n+nx(1+x)^(n-1)=nC0+nC12x+...+nCn(n+1)x^n
Multiply both sides by x
x[(1+x)^n+nx(1+x)^(n-1)]=nC0x+nC12x^2+...+nCn(n+1)x^(n+1)
Differentiate both sides wrtx
(1+x)^n+nx(1+x)^(n-1)+2nx(1+x)^(n-1)+n(n-1)(x^2)(1+x)^(n-2)=nC0x+nC12^2x+...+nCn}(n+1)^2x^n
Let x=1, after some simplification,
Sum=[2^(n-2)](n+4)(n+1)
 
Last edited:
Thanks!I knew of the result but didn't know how to derive it.
 
Your solution gave me idea to find another solution with calculus method.
Basically the two are equivavalent but I played with antiderivatives.

If [tex]f(x)=1^2 + 2^2\binom{n}{1}x + 3^2\binom{n}{2}x^2 + ...+(n+1)^2\binom{n}{n}x^n[/tex]

Then [tex]F(x)=\int_{0}^{x}f(t)dt=x+2\binom{n}{1}x +3\binom{n}{2}x^2+...+(n+1)\binom{n}{n}x^n[/tex]

[tex]g(x)=\frac{F(x)}{x}=1+2\binom{n}{1}x + 3\binom{n}{2}x^2+...+(n+1)\binom{n}{n}x^n[/tex]

Integrating one more time:
[tex]G(x)=\int_{0}^{x}g(t)dt=x+\binom{n}{1}x^2+...+\binom{n}{n}x^{n+1}=x(1+x)^n[/tex]

Now we conclude:
[tex]g(x)=(1+x)^n+nx(1+x)^{n-1}[/tex]
[tex]F(x)=x(1+x)^n +nx^2(1+x)^{n-1}[/tex]
[tex]f(x)=(1+x)^n +3nx(1+x)^{n-1}+n(n-1)x^2(1+x)^{n-2}[/tex]

Substitution x=1 in the last one gives the result.
 

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