What is the summation of this partial sequence?

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the summation of the series ∑(2^n/(n+4)) from n=0 to N. Participants highlight the challenges in using Taylor expansions due to convergence issues and suggest alternative approaches, such as evaluating a finite sum through integration. There's a consensus that the problem is complex, potentially involving the Lerch transcendent, and may not be suitable for exams. A hint is provided to simplify the summation by transforming it into an integral form. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the limits and terms in the summation process.
Amaelle
Messages
309
Reaction score
54
Homework Statement
look at the image
Relevant Equations
Sommation
taylor series
Greetings!
I want to caluculate the summation of this following serie
CodeCogsEqn.gif
I started by removing the 4 by
CodeCogsEqn (1).gif

and then

CodeCogsEqn (2).gif

and I thought of the taylor expansion of
Log(1-x)=-∑xn/n but as the 2 is not inside (-1,1) I couldn´t use it
any hint?
thank you!
Best !
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Amaelle said:
I started by removing the 4
That is derailing spectacularly ! Write down a few terms of the one and the other and see that the two are very different !
Also: renaming an index (##n## here) works better if you use a different symbol (e.g. use ##k = n+4##) and that changes the summation limits to:
##n=0,\quad k = n +4 \Rightarrow ## lower limit is ##k = 4##
##n=N,\quad k = n+4 \Rightarrow ## upper limit is ##k = N+4##

And in the numerator you have ##n=k-4## so the exponent is not ##k## but ##k-4##

##\ ##
 
Amaelle said:
Homework Statement:: look at the image
Relevant Equations:: Sommation
taylor series

Greetings!
I want to caluculate the summation of this following serie
View attachment 297263
I started by removing the 4 by
View attachment 297264
and then

View attachment 297265
and I thought of the taylor expansion of
Log(1-x)=-∑xn/n but as the 2 is not inside (-1,1) I couldn´t use it
any hint?
thank you!
Best !
you are right thank you
and then? the main problem remain unsolved?
 
If you have already studied calculus, you may make use of the relation
\int_{-\infty}^1 2^{mt} dt = [\frac{2^{mt}}{m \ln 2}]_{-\infty}^1=\frac{1}{\ln 2}\frac{2^m}{m}
for easy summation.
 
  • Like
Likes Amaelle
anuttarasammyak said:
If you have already studied calculus, you may make use of the relation
\int_{-\infty}^1 2^{mt} dt = [\frac{2^{mt}}{m \ln 2}]_{-\infty}^1=\frac{1}{\ln 2}\frac{2^m}{m}
for easy summation.
thank you!
 
Amaelle said:
the main problem remain unsolved
Haha, if you're starting in the wrong direction it won't be solved anyway :smile:

I don't have all the answers but a modest beginning might come about by writing down a bunch of terms for a low value of ##N## ...

Amaelle said:
Homework Statement:: look at the image
Relevant Equations:: Sommation
taylor series

I want to caluculate
So the actual homework statement is
Homework Statement:: 'Calculate (or: find a compact expression for) ##\quad \displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^N \ {2^n\over n+4}\quad ## '

[edit] Ah, we have another contributor !

##\ ##
 
  • Love
Likes Amaelle
BvU said:
Haha, if you're starting in the wrong direction it won't be solved anyway :smile:

I don't have all the answers but a modest beginning might come about by writing down a bunch of terms for a low value of ##N## ...Indeed, that was a huge contribution! I can do this kind of deadly mistakes during exams, thanks a million for point it out!
 
I doubt you will see this problem on an exam. The solution is rather difficult resulting in a complex valued function involving the Lerch transcendent. I'm surprised that it was issued as a homework problem (that's just mean).
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2 and Amaelle
Fred Wright said:
I doubt you will see this problem on an exam. The solution is rather difficult resulting in a complex valued function involving the Lerch transcendent. I'm surprised that it was issued as a homework problem (that's just mean).
Indeed, my instructor said he can asked it in the exam, so I tried to solved it, :)
 
  • #10
Amaelle said:
I thought of the taylor expansion of
Log(1-x)=-∑xn/n but as the 2 is not inside (-1,1) I couldn´t use it
Besides convergence of the Taylor series, you're trying to calculate a finite sum whereas the Taylor series is an infinite sum.

Here's a hint:
$$\sum_{k=4}^{N+4} \frac{x^k}{k} = \sum_{k=4}^{N+4} \int x^{k-1}\,dx$$ Remember that you're evaluating a finite sum, so the problem actually isn't too bad.
 
  • Like
Likes Amaelle and BvU