Trying to integrate a summation of a unit step function.

Unassuming
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Homework Statement



Define I(x)= I( x - x_n ) =

{ 0 , when x < x_n
{ 1, when x >= x_n.

Let f be the monotone function on [0,1] defined by

f(x) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2^n} I ( x - x_n)

where x_n = \frac {n}{n+1} , n \in \mathbb{N}.

Find \int_0^1 f(x) dx.

Leave your answer in the form of an infinite series.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I know the theorem, if f is monotone on [0,1], then f is Riemann integrable on [0,1]. I am also familiar with what the graph of this function looks like.

My calculation of what is under the function is,

\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2^n} \frac{1}{n^2 +3n +2}.


I need some advice for completing the problem (assuming that sum is correct).
Thanks
 
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Unassuming said:

Homework Statement



Define I(x)= I( x - x_n ) =

{ 0 , when x < x_n
{ 1, when x >= x_n.

Let f be the monotone function on [0,1] defined by

f(x) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2^n} I ( x - x_n)

where x_n = \frac {n}{n+1} , n \in \mathbb{N}.

Find \int_0^1 f(x) dx.

Leave your answer in the form of an infinite series.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I know the theorem, if f is monotone on [0,1], then f is Riemann integrable on [0,1]. I am also familiar with what the graph of this function looks like.

My calculation of what is under the function is,

\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2^n} \frac{1}{n^2 +3n +2}.
If you mean this to be f(x), shouldn't it be a function of x? If you mean it to be the integral, then aren't you done?


I need some advice for completing the problem (assuming that sum is correct).
Thanks
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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