Understanding the Summation of Infinite Series: Is it True for i and j?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of infinite series, specifically focusing on the summation of products of sequences indexed by two variables, i and j. Participants are examining whether certain equalities involving double summations hold true and exploring the implications of summing over the same indices.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the validity of manipulating double summations and whether it is appropriate to treat the indices independently. Some are exploring the implications of summing products of sequences and whether the order of summation affects the outcome.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored. Some participants are providing counterarguments to assertions made by others, indicating a lively exchange of ideas. There is no explicit consensus, but several points of view are being articulated regarding the nature of the summations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the concept of summation indices and their independence, as well as the implications of rearranging summations. There is mention of external resources for further clarification, indicating that the discussion may be part of a larger inquiry into series and summation techniques.

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\hbox {Is }\;\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} A_{i,j}B_{i,j}=\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j} \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}B_{i,j}\;\hbox{?}

\hbox {Is }\;\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} \;\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j}B_{i,j}=\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} A_{i,j}B_{i,j}\;\hbox{?}

I think it is because even though the right side has two summation of ##i## , but both increment at the same time. So is ##j##. therefore the result is the same.
 
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yungman said:
\hbox {Is }\;\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} A_{i,j}B_{i,j}=\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j} \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}B_{i,j}\;\hbox{?}
Is ##a_1 b_1 + a_2 b_2 = (a_1 +a_2) (b_1 + b_2)##?

yungman said:
\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} \;\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j}B_{i,j}
This is not correct. You cannot have two summations over the same index.
 
Thanks for the reply, but if you keep j=1, i=1,2,3...

\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} A_{i,j}B_{i,j}=\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j} \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}B_{i,j}=A_{1,1}B_{1,1}+A_{2,1}B_{2,1}+A_{3,1}B_{3,1}+...

\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} \;\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j}B_{i,j}=\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} A_{i,j}B_{i,j}\;=A_{1,1}B_{1,1}+A_{2,1}B_{2,1}+A_{3,1}B_{3,1}+...
If you start increment j, the series just repeat with j=2,3,4...

Because ##i## increment all at the same time. There should be no difference. This is not like trying to make

##a_1 b_1 + a_2 b_2 = (a_1 +a_2) (b_1 + b_2)##
 
yungman said:
$$\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j} \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}B_{i,j}$$
The way I read this is
$$
\left( \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j} \right) \left( \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}B_{i,j} \right)
$$
which means that addition and multiplication have been inverted, which is not correct.

yungman said:
\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} \;\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j}B_{i,j}=\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} A_{i,j}B_{i,j}\;=A_{1,1}B_{1,1}+A_{2,1}B_{2,1}+A_{3,1}B_{3,1}+...
If you start increment j, the series just repeat with j=2,3,4...
Because ##i## increment all at the same time.

Again, you cannot have two summations with the same index. It doens't make sense.
 
yungman said:
Thanks for the reply, but if you keep j=1, i=1,2,3...

\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} A_{i,j}B_{i,j}=\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j} \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}B_{i,j}=A_{1,1}B_{1,1}+A_{2,1}B_{2,1}+A_{3,1}B_{3,1}+...

\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} \;\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}A_{i,j}B_{i,j}=\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{j=1}^{\infty} A_{i,j}B_{i,j}\;=A_{1,1}B_{1,1}+A_{2,1}B_{2,1}+A_{3,1}B_{3,1}+...
If you start increment j, the series just repeat with j=2,3,4...

Because ##i## increment all at the same time. There should be no difference. This is not like trying to make

##a_1 b_1 + a_2 b_2 = (a_1 +a_2) (b_1 + b_2)##

No, you are wrong: it is exactly like that. In fact, if you take ##A_{11} = a_1, A_{12}= a_2, B_{11} = b_1, B_{12} = b_2## and all other ##A_{ij}, B_{ij} = 0,## then you are claiming that ##\sum_i\sum_j A_{ij}B_{ij} = a_1 b_1 + a_2 b_2## equals ##\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij} \sum_l \sum_m B_{lm} = (a_1+a_2)(b_1+b_2),## and that is false.
 
Ray Vickson said:
No, you are wrong: it is exactly like that. In fact, if you take ##A_{11} = a_1, A_{12}= a_2, B_{11} = b_1, B_{12} = b_2## and all other ##A_{ij}, B_{ij} = 0,## then you are claiming that ##\sum_i\sum_j A_{ij}B_{ij} = a_1 b_1 + a_2 b_2## equals ##\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij} \sum_l \sum_m B_{lm} = (a_1+a_2)(b_1+b_2),## and that is false.

I really don't get this, you are using ##\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij}## on the first and ##\sum_l \sum_m## on the second one. I am using ##\sum_i \sum_j ## for both. The two sum cannot be independently incremented. When ##i## incremented by one, both has to be incremented by 1. Using what you say that ##i=1## and ##j##=1,2 only all other are zeros.


\hbox{For }i=1,j=1,\;\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij} \sum_i \sum_j B_{ij}=\left(\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij}\right) \left(\sum_i \sum_j B_{ij}\right)=A_{1}B_{1}

\hbox{For }i=1,j=2,\;\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij} \sum_i \sum_j B_{ij}=\left(\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij}\right) \left(\sum_i \sum_j B_{ij}\right)=A_{2}B_{2}

So the sum will be ##a_1b_1+a_2b_2##
 
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yungman said:
I really don't get this, you are using ##\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij}## on the first and ##\sum_l \sum_m## on the second one. I am using ##\sum_i \sum_j ## for both. The two sum cannot be independently incremented. When ##i## incremented by one, both has to be incremented by 1. Using what you say that ##i=1## and ##j##=1,2 only all other are zeros.\hbox{For }i=1,j=1,\;\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij} \sum_i \sum_j B_{ij}=\left(\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij}\right) \left(\sum_i \sum_j B_{ij}\right)=A_{1}B_{1}

\hbox{For }i=1,j=2,\;\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij} \sum_i \sum_j B_{ij}=\left(\sum_i \sum_j A_{ij}\right) \left(\sum_i \sum_j B_{ij}\right)=A_{2}B_{2}

So the sum will be ##a_1b_1+a_2b_2##

It doesn't work that way, you could even have this:

##\sum\limits_{i=0}^\infty \sum\limits_{i=0}^i A_i##

which would mean, A_0 + (A_0 + A_1) + (A_0 + A_1 + A_2) + ...

My point, each sigma has its own variable that it creates just for that summation.
 
thanks everybody. So I cannot count on ##i## and ##j## all increment at the same time. I have to treat is as if they are independent between the two summation?

Thanks
 
This is the link of the real question about summation. I just don't know how the book can move the summation inside:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=711644

Since that is a different problem from this, I posted it as new thread. But where I got stuck is the same.
 
  • #10
I've had a look at the other thread and I don't see anywhere the same indices used at the same time.
 

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