Solving Summations with Modified Exponents

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Buddy711
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Summation
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a summation problem involving modified exponents in a series. Participants explore methods to manipulate the series to achieve a desired form for summation, focusing on the mathematical techniques involved.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a summation problem and expresses uncertainty about the formulas for summation of sequences.
  • Another participant suggests using the formula for the sum of a geometric series and differentiating it to find a related summation involving n.
  • A later reply points out the difference in the exponent (n-2 vs n-1) and emphasizes the need to adjust the series accordingly.
  • One participant acknowledges the suggestion and expresses a realization about the relationship between the exponents, indicating a potential path forward.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the solution, as the discussion remains focused on manipulating the series rather than arriving at a final answer.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved issues regarding the manipulation of the series and the implications of changing the exponent, which may affect the summation result.

Buddy711
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Hi everyone.
I hardly remember the fomulas of summation of sequence.

I got this problem.

[tex]{\frac{1}{8}}\sum^{\infty}_{n=2}n({\frac{3}{4}})^{n-2}[/tex]

The result is 2.5.
How can I solve this problem?

Thanks all. :)
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Assuming |r| < 1 then

[tex]\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} r^n = \frac{1}{1-r}[/tex]

Differentiation both sides with respect to r gives:

[tex]\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} n \cdot r^{n-1} = \frac{1}{(1-r)^2}[/tex]

This should give you a push in the right direction.

(Warning: Be careful of your initial index.)

--Elucidus
 
You suggested me very good approach.
However, the problem still remains,,,

my equation is n vs (n-2), not n vs (n-1)

Thanks!
 
Raising it to the power of n-2 instead of n-1 is just dividing it by 3/4. You should be able to find a way to modify your series so that you have an n-1 in the exponent
 
Office_Shredder said:
Raising it to the power of n-2 instead of n-1 is just dividing it by 3/4. You should be able to find a way to modify your series so that you have an n-1 in the exponent

You are absolutely right.
I was so stupid.

Thank you ;-)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K