Questions tagged [power-series]

Questions about the properties of functions of the form $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_n (x-c)^n$, where the $a_n$ are real or complex numbers, and $x$ is real or complex.

A series of the form $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n (x-c)^n$$ is called a power series, and can be used to expand functions. The center $c$ is often $0$ and the radius of convergence $R$ is given by $R = \left(\limsup\limits_{n\to\infty}\sqrt[n]{|a_n|}\right)^{-1}$.

Power series for some common functions are: \begin{align} \frac{1}{1-x}&=\sum_{n=0}^\infty x^n\quad(|x|\lt1)\\\ \ln(1+x)&=\sum_{n=0}^\infty\frac{(-1)^nx^{n+1}}{n+1}\quad(|x|\leq 1, x\neq -1)\\\ \arctan(x)&=\sum_{n=0}^\infty\frac{(-1)^nx^{2n+1}}{2n+1}\quad(|x|\leq 1,x\neq \pm i)\\\ \tan(x)&=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{|B_{2n}|(4^n-1)4^n }{(2n)!}x^{2n-1}\quad(|x|< \pi/2)\\\ \sin(x)&=\sum_{n=0}^\infty\frac{(-1)^n x^{2n+1}}{(2n+1)!}\\\ \cos(x)&=\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n x^{2n}}{(2n)!}\\\ e^x &= \sum_{n=0}^\infty\frac{x^n}{n!}\\\ \end{align}

If convergence is not an issue or if you are working over a different domain than $\mathbb{R}$ or $\mathbb{C}$, consider using the tag instead.

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Why $(1+1/2^p)^q = (1+1/2^q)^p$ implies $(p=q)$?

How can I prove that: $(1+1/2^p)^q = (1+1/2^q)^p$ (real $p\leq q$) implies $p=q$ ? Seems quite simple, but I don't understand where to start from... Thanx!
ralph
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Power series of $\tan(z)$

In the power series of $$\tan(z)=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty }B_{2k}\frac{(-4)^k(1-4^k)x^{2k-1}}{(2k!)},$$ what is $B_{2k}$? What's the mathematical expression of it? Thanks in advance.
Ian
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Alternative Bound on a Double Geometric Series

If $|a_{mn}x_0^my_0^n| \leq M$ then a double power series $f(x,y) = \sum a_{mn} x^m y^n$ can be 'bounded' by a dominant function of the form $\phi(x,y) = \tfrac{M}{(1-\tfrac{x}{x_0})(1-\tfrac{y}{y_0})}$, obviously derived from a geometric series…
bolbteppa
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Maclaurin Series confusion

Using the Maclaurin expansion formula: to find the Maclaurin series for $sin(3x)$, I can get the correct answer by using $x^n$ in the formula above (in the tail-end of the formula). Similarly, to expand $e^(-x)$, I can get the correct answer by…
Harmony
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radius of convergence of the power series $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} z^{n!}$

How to find the radius of convergence of the power series $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} z^{n!}?$$ I don't know how to start !!!
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Alternating sign for unequal numbers

How to model a function which satisfies following condition: $$ f(x) = \begin{cases} 1 & x \in 3,7,11,\ldots\\ -1 & x \in 1,5,9,\ldots \end{cases} $$ The first result can be generated using $4n+1$ and the second with $4n-1$ for $n \in…
Razer
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Sum of the series $\sum_{n \ge 0}{\frac{x^{4n+1}}{(4n+1)!}}$

I want to determine the sum of the series $$\sum_{n \ge 0}{\frac{x^{4n+1}}{(4n+1)!}}$$ I know this has to do with the sum $$\sum_{n \ge 0}{\frac{x^{n}}{(n)!}}=e^x\;\; \forall x\in \mathbb R$$ But i can't see how to start. Thank you for your help!!
palio
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How do i convert $\frac{1}{2+x}$ to a summation?

I am given the summation for $\frac{1}{1-x}$. I get that I need to sub in $-x$ for $x$. I don't get how I am supposed to know where I put the $2$. I am not sure if there is a systematic procedure or if I am just lacking analytical skill. Thanks…
Tad
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Trouble solving a recurrence using exponential generating series.

I'm required to solve the recurrence $y_{n+1} = 2y_n + n$ using an exponential generating series, and am getting stuck in a particular step. I solved it already using the OGS so I think I'm on the right track. Here's what I have so far: $$ EGS:…
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Is there a way to calculate a power series between the geometric series and exponential series?

So I was messing around and realized that the geometric series and exponential series are really similar when written as a power series. $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{x^n}{(n!)^0}=\sum_{n=0}^\infty {x^n}=\frac{1}{1-x}$$ $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty…
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Operator on power series with natural coefficients

Assuming I have a formal power series $$f = \sum_{n\geq 1} a_n X^n, \qquad (a_n \in \mathbb{Z}_{\geq 1}).$$I want to construct a new formal power series $$g = \sum_{n\geq 1} a_{a_n} X^n.$$ Question: Is there some kind of explicit description of an…
ayim691
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"Identical" power series

This is a question that came to my mind as I was reading about power series. Is it possible for two power series to, in some sense, represent the same function, and thus be "identical"? So the definition would go like: The power series…
PJ Miller
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What is its radius of convergence of this series?

How can I find the radius of convergence of the following ? $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{n^n}{n!}(z-\pi i)^n $$ The problem is that it involves the complex number $\pi i$, and that is giving me a lot of trouble. Here is how I have gone this…
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Fraction of two series (help)

I've ran across the following expression: $$ \dfrac{a_1 x + 2a_2 x^2 + 3a_3 x^3 +\ ...}{1 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + a_3 x^3 + \ ...} $$ Now one is supposed to be able to write this fraction of series as: $$a_1 x + 2 \left( a_2 - 1/2 a^2_1 \right)x^2 + 3…
lohey
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