Use Differentiation to Find a Power Series Representation for:

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding power series representations for functions involving rational expressions, specifically f(x) = 1/((1+x)^2) and f(x) = 1/((1+x)^3). Participants are exploring the radius of convergence and the differentiation of power series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the differentiation of power series and the implications for finding the radius of convergence. There are questions about the correctness of the series derived and the necessity of changing the indexing in the series representation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided feedback on the correctness of the original poster's attempts, suggesting the use of the Ratio test for the radius of convergence and questioning the indexing of the series. There is an ongoing exploration of the differentiation process and its impact on the resulting series.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the depth of exploration and the types of resources they can reference. There is a focus on ensuring the accuracy of series representations and convergence criteria.

knowLittle
Messages
307
Reaction score
3

Homework Statement


for
a.) f(x) =1/ ( (1+x)^2 )
what is the radius of convergence?

b.) Use part a.) to find a power series for

f(x)=1/ ( (1+x)^3)

c.) Use part b.) to find a power series for
f(x) =x^2 /( (1+x)^3)

Homework Equations


I want to check my work.
I used properties of functions defined by power series.

The Attempt at a Solution


a.)
## \dfrac {d} {dx}\left[ \left( -1\right) \left( 1+x\right) ^{-1}\right] =\sum _{n=0}\left( -1\right) \left( -1\right) ^{n}x^{n}##

after differentiating:
1/ ( (1+x)^2) =SUM[ -n x^(n-1) (-1)^n ]

b.)
##\dfrac {d} {dx}\left[ \left( 1+x\right) ^{-2}\right] =\dfrac {d} {dx}\left[ \sum _{n=0}-nx^{n-1}\left( -1\right) ^{n}\right]##

Differentiating:
2/( (1+x)^3)= SUM [ n(n-1) x^(n-2) (-1)^n ], and multiplying both sides by (1/2) yields the desired fuction.

c.)
Only multiply both sides by x^2 and the desired function is found.

Is this correct?

Thank you.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
For part a, the resulting series after differentiation is correct, assuming your lower bound of summation is n=1. Otherwise, the Taylor series is SUM[(-1)^n (n+1) x^n), and the lower bound is n=0. To find radius of convergence, I would suggest Ratio test.
In part b, your process is correct, but the series that you use from part a is incorrect (see above). Also, both sides should be multiplied by -1/2.
In part c, the process is correct. It may be easier to check your work with series using http://wolframalpha.com. Make sure you take note of the bounds of integration, since having the wrong ones changes your sum.
 
Why do we need to change the indexing? Does it have to do with :
f(x)=a0+a1(x-c)+ a2(x-c)^2 + a3(x-c)^3+...=SUM{n=0 to infinity [an (x-c)^n ]}
 
knowLittle said:

Homework Statement


for
a.) f(x) =1/ ( (1+x)^2 )
what is the radius of convergence?

b.) Use part a.) to find a power series for

f(x)=1/ ( (1+x)^3)

c.) Use part b.) to find a power series for
f(x) =x^2 /( (1+x)^3)

Homework Equations


I want to check my work.
I used properties of functions defined by power series.

The Attempt at a Solution


a.)
## \dfrac {d} {dx}\left[ \left( -1\right) \left( 1+x\right) ^{-1}\right] =\sum _{n=0}\left( -1\right) \left( -1\right) ^{n}x^{n}##
The above line should read:

[itex]\displaystyle \dfrac {d} {dx}\left[ \left( -1\right) \left( 1+x\right) ^{-1}\right] =\dfrac {d} {dx}\left[ \ \sum _{n=0}^{\infty}\left( -1\right) \left( -1\right) ^{n}x^{n}\ \right][/itex]​
Which gives
[itex]\displaystyle \left( 1+x\right) ^{-2} =\sum _{n=1}^{\infty}-nx^{n-1}\left( -1\right) ^{n}[/itex]​

You didn't answer: "what is the radius of convergence?"
after differentiating:
1/ ( (1+x)^2) =SUM[ -n x^(n-1) (-1)^n ]

b.)
##\dfrac {d} {dx}\left[ \left( 1+x\right) ^{-2}\right] =\dfrac {d} {dx}\left[ \sum _{n=0}-nx^{n-1}\left( -1\right) ^{n}\right]##

Differentiating:
2/( (1+x)^3)= SUM [ n(n-1) x^(n-2) (-1)^n ], and multiplying both sides by (1/2) yields the desired fuction.

c.)
Only multiply both sides by x^2 and the desired function is found.

Is this correct?

Thank you.
 
You are right.
ROC=1 , since |-x|<1,
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
7K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K