MHB What is the general solution for the power series in Calculus 2?

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The discussion focuses on finding the general solution for power series in Calculus 2, specifically through the geometric and exponential series. The geometric series is presented as a key example, leading to the derivation of coefficients for a series expansion. The coefficients are calculated using the relationship between the series and its derivatives, resulting in a general formula of \( a_n = 2 \cdot (-3)^n \). Additionally, the convention of \( 0^0 = 1 \) is mentioned to clarify mathematical definitions. Overall, the thread provides a detailed exploration of power series and their coefficients.
joku1234
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please help!
 

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joku1234 said:
please help!

... wellcome on MHB joku1234!...

The regulations state that you've shown some effort to resolve questions ... to get the result you can refer to two standard examples: the geometric and exponential series ...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
joku1234 said:
please help!

(Wave)For your first question:We know that $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^n= \frac{1}{1-x}, \text{ for } |x|<1$Replacing $x$ with $-3x$ we get:

$$\frac{1}{1-(-3x)}=\frac{1}{1+3x}= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-3x)^n, \text{ for } |-3x|<1 \Rightarrow -1<3x<1 \Rightarrow \frac{-1}{3}<x< \frac{1}{3}$$
So what will be the value of $a_3$?
 
evinda said:
$$\frac{1}{1-(-3x)}=\frac{1}{1+3x}= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-3x)^n, \text{ for } |-3x|<1 \Rightarrow -1<3x<1 \Rightarrow \frac{-1}{3}<x< \frac{1}{3}$$

Doesn't that imply $$0^0=1$$ (if $$x=0$$)?
 
greg1313 said:
Doesn't that imply $$0^0=1$$ (if $$x=0$$)?

$0^0 = 1$ is a convention that allows us to extend definitions in different areas of mathematics that otherwise would require treating $0$ as a special case.
 
All the questions can be answered remembering the geometric series...

$\displaystyle \frac{1}{1 + \xi} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n}\ \xi^{n},\ |\xi|< 1\ (1)$

Question 1: setting $\xi = 3\ x$ You have $\displaystyle \frac{2}{1 + 3\ x} = 2\ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n}\ (3\ x)^{n} \implies a_{3} = - 54$...

Question 2 : from (1) You derive...

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{d \xi} \frac{1}{1 + \xi} = - \frac{1}{(1 + \xi)^{2}} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n}\ n\ x^{n-1}\ (2)$

... and setting $\xi = 4\ x$ You have $\displaystyle \frac{x}{(1 + 4\ x)^{2}}= \ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n}\ n\ 4^{n-1}\ x^{n} \implies a_{2} = 8$...

Question 3: from 1 You derive...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\xi} \frac{d t}{1 + t} = \ln (1 + \xi) = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n} \frac{\xi^{n+1}}{n+1}\ (3)$

... so that You have $\displaystyle \int_{0}^{x} \xi^{2}\ \ln (1 + \xi)\ d \xi = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n} \frac{x^{n+4}}{(n+1)\ (n+4)} \implies a_{4} = \frac{1}{4}$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Last edited:
Alternatively, for the first problem, an "intuitive" - but not rigorous - derivation is as follows. Suppose that the following holds (given suitable radius of convergence etc etc):
$$\frac{2}{1 + 3x} = \sum_{n = 0}^\infty a_n x^n = a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + \cdots$$
Then:
$$2 = (1 + 3x) \left ( a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + \cdots \right )$$
Distribute to get:
$$2 = \left ( a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + \cdots \right ) + 3x \left ( a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + \cdots \right ) = \left ( a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + \cdots \right ) + \left ( 3 a_0 x + 3 a_1 x^2 + 3 a_2 x^3 + \cdots \right )$$
Pairing up the coefficients of $x^n$ we get:
$$2 = a_0 + \left ( 3a_0 + a_1 \right ) x + \left ( 3a_1 + a_2 \right ) x^2 + \cdots$$
Or, more clearly:
$$2 + 0 x + 0 x^2 + \cdots = a_0 + \left ( 3a_0 + a_1 \right ) x + \left ( 3a_1 + a_2 \right ) x^2 + \cdots$$
Equate coefficients on both sides to find:
$$a_0 = 2$$
$$3a_0 + a_1 = 0 ~ ~ ~ \Rightarrow ~ ~ ~ a_1 = -3 a_0 = (-3) \times 2 = -6$$
$$3a_1 + a_2 = 0 ~ ~ ~ \Rightarrow ~ ~ ~ a_2 = -3 a_1 = (-3) \times (-6) = 18$$
$$3a_2 + a_3 = 0 ~ ~ ~ \Rightarrow ~ ~ ~ a_3 = -3 a_2 = (-3) \times 18 = -54$$
$$3a_3 + a_4 = 0 ~ ~ ~ \Rightarrow ~ ~ ~ a_4 = -3 a_3 = (-3) \times (-54) = 162$$
And so on. Eventually you find that $a_n = 2 \cdot (-3)^n$ as a general solution.

:D
 

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