Can the sums of these strange series be calculated using this method?

In summary, strange sums can be calculated using a "non-rigorous" but I think correct method. The infinitesimal generator is D and xD is the dilated form of x(d/dx). The 2 series above can be summed as (1+e^{D}+e^{2D}+e^{3D}+...)f(x).
  • #1
eljose
492
0
"strange" sums...

Let be the next 2 sums in the form:

[tex] f(x)+f(x+1)+f(x+2)+... [/tex] (1) and

[tex] f(x)+f(2x)+f(3x)+... [/tex] (2)

how would you calculate them?..well i used a "non-rigorous" but i think correct method to derive their sums..let be the infinitesimal generator

[tex] D=d/dx [/tex] (traslation) [tex] xD=x(d/dx) [/tex] (dilatation)

the 2 series above can be "summed" as:

[tex] (1+e^{D}+e^{2D}+e^{3D}+...)f(x) [/tex]

[tex](1+e^{xD}+e^{2xD}+e^{3xD}+...)f(x) [/tex]

now we put [tex] (1/D)f(x)=F(x) [/tex] and [tex](1/xD)f(x)=F(x)/x [/tex]

where F(x) is the "primitive" of f(x) then we would have..

[tex] \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{B_{n}}{n!}F^{n}(x) [/tex]

[tex] \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{B_{n}}{n!}x^{n-1}F^{n}(x) [/tex]

these 2 expressions above would be the sum for (1) and (2) respectively where the B are the Bernoulli,s number and (n) means n-th derivative of F.
 
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  • #2
What on Earth allows you to assume that the f are differentiable? And even then what does raising e to the power d/dx do? Let what be an infinitesimal generator of what? What's the/a primitive of f? Why invent a name for it that you don't ever use again? Not that the primitive makes much sense (inverting d/dx?).

You really need to focus on explaining what you mean properly (not rigorously; you have a completely unnecessary issue with rigour).

If by F^n you mean F raised to the power n (F(x)^n), then it cannot be a correct formula, for obvious reasons which I'll let you figure out (hint what if F(x)=0 for some x).

If it means F applied n times, then my gut reaction is that it still will be false, not that it is clear what F actually is.

Your second sum is also not defined at x=0.
 
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  • #3
-No... [tex] F(x)=\int{dx}f(x) [/tex] and [tex] \frac{d^{n}F}{dx^{n}}=F^(n)(x) [/tex] by the way you say is not correct Euler himself used (1) in the same manner i do to prove that:

[tex] 1+2+3+4+5+6+...=(-1/12) [/tex] just put f(x)=x and apply the differential operator..by the way is a known result that:

[tex] e^{aD}f(x)=f(x+a) [/tex] or [tex] e^{xD}=f(2x) [/tex] just take a look at "Wikipedia" (english version)..chao.
 
  • #4
There you go again. I didn't say it was not a correct method I said that what you wrote doesn't make sense. You have a very odd sense of what is 'universally known and accepted' terminology, and a poor way of presenting things; partly this is a language problem, partly it is not.

If you ask a question, why not explain the terms properly? However, I'll take a guess that e^D is short hand for the operator

[tex] \sum \frac{1}{n!}\frac{d^n}{dx^n}[/tex]

is that about right?

And you assert Euler proved that the sum of all the positive integers is -1/12, do you? If indeed he did demonstrate that then it hardly implies that the method is correct, does it?

Note that F is only defined up to an additive constant. Which choice of constant should it be?

Anyway, you're still assuming f to be a smooth function, yet you didn't say that did you? It's things like that that you need to be careful about.Was that bit about F^(n) meant to be an answer to the question I asked about whether F^n meant F applied n times or F(x) raised to the power n? Because if it was you've just changed notation from your first post, and your latex is incorrect. You need to enclose all of the things you want in the superscript inside curly braces.
 
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1. Can you explain what a strange series is?

A strange series is a mathematical series that does not follow a predictable pattern or formula. It often involves unusual or non-standard operations, making it difficult to calculate the sums using traditional methods.

2. What methods are typically used to calculate the sums of strange series?

There is no one specific method for calculating the sums of strange series. Some common techniques include using partial sums, convergence tests, and specialized algorithms depending on the specific series.

3. Is it possible to find a closed form solution for the sums of all strange series?

No, it is not possible to find a closed form solution for all strange series. This is because there is no one universal method for calculating the sums, and each series may require a different approach.

4. Can computers be used to calculate the sums of strange series?

Yes, computers can be used to calculate the sums of strange series. In fact, they are often necessary for more complex or lengthy series that cannot be solved by hand.

5. Are there any real-world applications for calculating the sums of strange series?

Yes, there are many real-world applications for calculating the sums of strange series. For example, they can be used in financial modeling, physics, and engineering to solve complex problems and make predictions.

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