Way to re-express this equation by writing x and y separate?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the re-expression of the equation \(\sum_{i=0}^{n} x^{i}*y^{i}\). Participants explore whether it is possible to separate the variables \(x\) and \(y\) in this expression, considering various mathematical perspectives and implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the expression can be interpreted as the dot product of vectors, proposing a relationship involving the cosine of the angle between them.
  • Another participant points out that the original expression is not an equation but rather an expression, emphasizing the importance of context and the need for an equals sign to define it properly.
  • This participant also argues that rewriting the sum as a product of separate functions of \(x\) and \(y\) is generally not possible, except in specific cases already mentioned.
  • A later reply reiterates the original question, suggesting that if the goal is to estimate bounds, the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality could be applicable.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the possibility of re-expressing the equation. There are competing views on the interpretation and manipulation of the expression, with some suggesting potential methods while others assert limitations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of context in understanding the expression, and there is mention of specific mathematical properties and inequalities that may apply, though these are not resolved.

femiadeyemi
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Hi All,
I have an equation like this:

\sum_{i=0}^{n} x^{i}*y^{i}

is there a way to re-express this equation by writing x and y separate? Thank you
 
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The expression can be looked at as the dot product of n+1 dimensional vectors. Ir can be written as:
|x||y|cosθ, where θ is the angle between the vectors and |x| and |y| are the individual vector lengths. I suspect it won't be much help, since the usual way of finding the angle is using the dot product.
 
What you wrote is not actually an equation, it is an expression. An equation should have an equals sign (=) and something on the other side of it. You may think this is a bit nitpicky but it can matter a lot whether the sum should be equal to 0, for example, or to some complex value, or to some convenient value in which stuff cancels out.

Assuming you want to rewrite your sum (and that * means scalar multiplication and not e.g. convolution) to something like
##\left( \sum f(x) \right) \left( \sum g(y) \right)##
where f(x) and g(y) are some functions of only the x's and y's, respectively, in general the answer is no - you cannot do that, except for what mathman has already pointed out.

However, I assume this question did not drop out of thin air; so maybe if you give us a bit more about the context that you asked it in we would be able to help you more.
 
femiadeyemi said:
Hi All,
I have an equation like this:

\sum_{i=0}^{n} x^{i}*y^{i}

is there a way to re-express this equation by writing x and y separate? Thank you

If you are trying to get estimates on something (like upper bounds) you can use Cauchy Schawrtz:

\sum_{i=0}^{n} x^{i}*y^{i} \leq (\sum_{i=0}^{n} x_i^2)^{1/2}(\sum_{i=0}^{n} y_i^2)^{1/2}
 

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