What is the solution to evaluating this fraction series?

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    2016
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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on evaluating the infinite series represented by the expression $\dfrac{7}{1^2\cdot 6^2}+\dfrac{17}{6^2\cdot 11^2}+\dfrac{27}{11^2\cdot 16^2}+\cdots$. The correct solution was provided by member Opalg, with contributions from other members including greg1313 and kaliprasad. The series can be approached using techniques from calculus and series convergence, specifically involving partial fractions and telescoping series.

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Here is this week's POTW:

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Evaluate $\dfrac{7}{1^2\cdot 6^2}+\dfrac{17}{6^2\cdot 11^2}+\dfrac{27}{11^2\cdot 16^2}+\cdots$-----

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Congratulations to the following members for their correct solution::)

1. greg1313
2. Opalg
3. kaliprasad

Solution from Opalg:
We need to evaluate $$\sum_{k=1}^\infty \frac{10k-3}{(5k-4)^2(5k+1)^2}.$$

In fact, $$\sum_{k=1}^n \frac{10k-3}{(5k-4)^2(5k+1)^2} = \frac15\Bigl(1 - \frac1{(5n+1)^2}\Bigr).$$

To prove that by induction, check first that when $n=1$ that formula gives $\frac15\Bigl(1 - \frac1{36}\Bigr) = \frac{36-1}{5\times 36} = \frac7{1^2\cdot6^2}$, which is the first term of the series.

For the inductive step, we have to add the $(n+1)$th term of the series, which is $$\frac{10n+7}{(5n+1)^2(5n+6)^2}.$$ So if the sum of the first $n$ terms is $$\frac15\Bigl(1 - \frac1{(5n+1)^2}\Bigr)$$ then the sum of the first $n+1$ terms will be $$ \frac15\Bigl(1 - \frac1{(5n+1)^2}\Bigr) + \frac{10n+7}{(5n+1)^2(5n+6)^2} = \frac15\Bigl(1 - \frac1{(5n+1)^2} + \frac{50n+35}{(5n+1)^2(5n+6)^2}\Bigr).$$ But $$ \begin{aligned}- \frac1{(5n+1)^2} + \frac{50n+35}{(5n+1)^2(5n+6)^2} &= \frac{-(5n+6)^2 + 50n+35}{(5n+1)^2(5n+6)^2} \\ &= \frac{-25n^2 - 60n - 36 + 50n + 35}{(5n+1)^2(5n+6)^2} \\ &= \frac{-25n^2 - 10n - 1}{(5n+1)^2(5n+6)^2} \\ &= \frac{-(5n+1)^2}{(5n+1)^2(5n+6)^2} = -\frac1{(5n+6)^2}.\end{aligned}$$ Hence the sum of the first $n+1$ terms of the series is $$\frac15\Bigl(1-\frac1{(5n+6)^2}\Bigr),$$ which is what the claimed formula gives.

That completes the inductive proof. Finally, as $n\to\infty$ the formula gives the sum of the whole series as $$\boxed{\frac15}$$.
 

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