Sum of an infinite series(not quite geometric)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the sum of an infinite series defined as \(\sum^{\infty}_{K=10} \frac{7}{e^{(3k+2)}}\). The series does not fit the standard geometric series form, leading to various attempts at rewriting it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss rewriting the series to resemble a geometric series, with some questioning the transformation of the exponent from \(3k+2\) to \(32\). Others explore the implications of expressing the series in terms of a geometric progression.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering insights into the nature of the series and its convergence properties. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the notation and the mathematical validity of the approaches taken.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the notation used and its implications for the problem, while others clarify the intent behind the transformations being discussed.

GNelson
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Homework Statement



Determine the sum of the series:

[tex]\sum[/tex][tex]^{infinity}_{K=10}[/tex] [tex]\frac{7}{e^(3k+2)}[/tex]

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution

limit n->infinity of sn=[tex]\sum[/tex][tex]^{n}_{K=10}[/tex] [tex]\frac{7}{e^(3k+2)}[/tex]=[tex]\frac{7}{e^(32)}[/tex]+[tex]\frac{7}{e^(35)}[/tex]...[tex]\frac{7}{e^(3n+2)}[/tex]

This series does not exactly fit a geometric series or any partial fraction I can reduce. After this point I am stuck, any hints are greatly welcome.

My alternative method I attempted was to try to re-write it in such a way it was geometric., where f=1 is when k=10
that is that [tex]\sum[/tex][tex]^{infinity}_{K=10}[/tex] [tex]\frac{7}{e^(3k+2)}[/tex]= [tex]\sum[/tex][tex]^{infinity}_{f=1}[/tex][tex]\frac{7}{e^(32)}[/tex]*([tex]\frac{1}{e^(3)}[/tex])^(f-1) which when simplfied I got = [tex]\frac{7}{e^(31)-1}[/tex]
 
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rewriting it as a geometric series makes sense but how did 3k+2 become 32?
 
Have you investigated the consequences of [tex]e^{3k+2} = e^{2}(e^3)^k[/tex]?

P.S. You want to write [ t e x ] \sum_{k=10}^{\infty} [ \ t e x ]

and

[ t e x ] e^{3k+2} [ t e x ]

for it to come out correctly.
 
quasar987's point is that this is not "not quite" but exactly a geometric series. There is a standard formula for the sum of a geometric series.
 
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My rational in the re-write was to write it in such a way that the terms of the sequence would be identical, in the orignal form we obtain 7/e^32+7/e^35 ect.. which was the only method of solution that I could see that had a chance of working. I tested each k value against f values at f=1 against k=10, they produce identical terms for every valid k the only difference being the new series starts at 1 rather than 10 but the way I see it we are summing an infinite amount of terms,I was curious if this was mathematically valid.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm more of a mathematician really), and I'm not all that familiar with your notation, but it is a convergent geometric progression.

It can be rearranged as sum to infinity of 7e^-2 * (e^-3)^k

which is a geometric progression with the first term (a) of 7e^-32

and increases by a factor (r) of e^-3

Using the geometric progression formula of summation of series i.e. sum=a/(1-r)

sum= (7e^-32)/(1-e^-3)

Isn't it?
 
Why would being "more of a mathematician" imply that you would be wrong about a math problem?:biggrin:
 
HallsofIvy said:
Why would being "more of a mathematician" imply that you would be wrong about a math problem?:biggrin:

In itself, it wouldn't. But, as I mentioned before I haven't used notation quite like that, so my interpretation could be wrong. (I assumed that the notation was specific to physics)
 
John Creighto said:
rewriting it as a geometric series makes sense but how did 3k+2 become 32?

That's intended to be the staged exponential [tex](e^3)^{2}[/tex] . One of the things TeX doesn't seem to do is double exponents. The intent of the expression is clear, if the notation may not be...
 
  • #10
dynamicsolo said:
That's intended to be the staged exponential [tex](e^3)^{2}[/tex] . One of the things TeX doesn't seem to do is double exponents. The intent of the expression is clear, if the notation may not be...

No, it really is e^32. It's e^(3k+2) and the sum starts at k=10. That's e^(thirty two).
 
  • #11
Oops, right: I misled myself in reading some of the other posts...
 

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