The decomposition of the numerator

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a power series representation for a function, specifically focusing on the decomposition of the numerator. The problem is sourced from a calculus textbook, indicating a context within series expansions and function representation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the potential usefulness of decomposing the numerator and consider rewriting the function in different forms. There are inquiries about the convergence of series and the validity of proposed answers, alongside suggestions to utilize geometric series.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with various participants offering hints and alternative approaches. Some express skepticism about the convergence of certain series, while others encourage checking the conditions for convergence. There is no clear consensus on the correctness of the answers provided, but multiple lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the constraints of an online homework platform, which may influence their responses and the validity of their answers. There is also mention of specific sections from a textbook, which may limit the scope of the discussion to those materials.

Theengr7
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Moved from a technical forum, so homework template missing
(a) Find a power series representation for the function.
symimage.cgi?expr=f%28x%29%3D%285%2Bx%29%2F%281-x%29.gif


I'm struggling on the decomposition of the numerator. This exercise is from chapter 8, section 6 of Th Stewart Calculus book.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Theengr7 said:
(a) Find a power series representation for the function.
symimage.cgi?expr=f%28x%29%3D%285%2Bx%29%2F%281-x%29.gif


I'm struggling on the decomposition of the numerator. This exercise is from chapter 8, section 6 of Th Stewart Calculus book.
It's not clear what you mean by "decomposition of the numerator".

For any fraction of the form ##\frac{a+b}{D} = \frac{a}{D} + \frac{b}{D}##
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Theengr7
I don't know if is useful to decompose the numerator but rewriting the function as ##f(x)=(5+x)\cdot\frac{1}{1-x}## can help ...
 
Use Steamking's hint, then you should recognize something rather familiar, can you write down where those series converge?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Theengr7
The very first thing I would do is actually divide the denominator into the numerator: [itex]\frac{5+ x}{1- x}= -1+ \frac{6}{1- x}[/itex] and then expand [itex]\frac{6}{1- x}[/itex] using the fact that the geometric series [itex]\sum_{i=0}^\infty ar^n= \frac{a}{1- r}[/itex].
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Theengr7
Math_QED said:
Use Steamking's hint, then you should recognize something rather familiar, can you write down where those series converge?
I do not think that this series converges; it diverges. What I got is 5+6∑(x)^n fron 0 to ∞. I do not know if I satisfy your answer.
 
Theengr7 said:
I do not think that this series converges; it diverges. What I got is 5+6∑(x)^n fron 0 to ∞. I do not know if I satisfy your answer.

I did not check whether your answer is valid. I do know that your answer has to include a geometric series. Do you know when a geometric series converges? If not, you should look it up.

EDIT: your answer seems to be wrong
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Use hallsofIvy's tip (easier than Steamking's one). Once you get the right answer (you can actually write it as one sum), you should also mention for what values this series converges to f(x), which is the interval where the geometric series converges.
 
Math_QED said:
I did not check whether your answer is valid. I do know that your answer has to include a geometric series. Do you know when a geometric series converges? If not, you should look it up.

EDIT: your answer seems to be wrong
I do. My answer is right because it's an online homework, and the website accepts this answer.
 
  • #10
Theengr7 said:
I do. My answer is right because it's an online homework, and the website accepts this answer.

If so, can you send me how you got that answer? Then I can learn something new :)
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K