What is the Power Series Expansion for f(2x)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the power series expansion of the function f(2x) given that f(x) has a power series representation centered at a. Participants explore how to transform the original series into one that represents f(2x), considering various mathematical manipulations and reorganizations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that if f(x) has a power series represented as Σ a_n (x-a)^n, then f(2x) can be expressed as Σ a_n (2x-a)^n.
  • Others suggest that f(2x) can be rewritten using a double sum involving binomial coefficients and powers of 2, leading to a new series representation with a different sequence b_n.
  • A later reply reiterates the transformation of the series, emphasizing that b_n can be defined as a_n multiplied by 2^n, and suggests that this manipulation clarifies the relationship between the two series.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the transformation of the power series but present slightly different approaches and expressions for the resulting series. No consensus is reached on a single definitive form.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the convergence of the series and the definitions of the coefficients are not explicitly stated, which may affect the validity of the transformations discussed.

moo5003
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If f(x) has a power series: a_n(x-a)^n (centered at a)

what does the power series for f(2x) look like?
 
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moo5003 said:
If f(x) has a power series: a_n(x-a)^n (centered at a)

what does the power series for f(2x) look like?

You have a problem with this? If "f(x) has power series a_n(x-a)^n" (by which I assume you mean
[tex]\Sigma a_n (x-a)^n[/tex]
Doesn't it follow that:
[tex]f(2x)= \Sigma a_n (2x-a)^n[/tex]?
 
Hmm..
I would think he is after something like this:
[tex]f(2x)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}(2x-a)^{n}=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}{a_{n}}{2^{n}}\sum_{l=0}^{n}\binom{n}{l}(\frac{a}{2})^{n-l}(x-a)^{l}[/tex]
and then reorganize this double sum into some expression:
[tex]f(x)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}b_{n}(x-a)^{n}[/tex]
with a known sequence b_n
 
I would think he is after something like this:

[tex]f(2x) = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_n(2x-a)^n = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_n2^n\left(x-\frac a 2\right)^n =\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}b_n\left(x-\frac a 2\right)^n[/tex]

where [itex]b_n=a_n2^n[/itex]
 
D H said:
I would think he is after something like this:

[tex]f(2x) = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_n(2x-a)^n = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_n2^n\left(x-\frac a 2\right)^n =\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}b_n\left(x-\frac a 2\right)^n[/tex]

where [itex]b_n=a_n2^n[/itex]

You did all the work!

Oh well, I hope he sees how it came around to this.
 

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