Power series Definition and 643 Threads

In mathematics, a power series (in one variable) is an infinite series of the form

where an represents the coefficient of the nth term and c is a constant. Power series are useful in mathematical analysis, where they arise as Taylor series of infinitely differentiable functions. In fact, Borel's theorem implies that every power series is the Taylor series of some smooth function.
In many situations c (the center of the series) is equal to zero, for instance when considering a Maclaurin series. In such cases, the power series takes the simpler form

Beyond their role in mathematical analysis, power series also occur in combinatorics as generating functions (a kind of formal power series) and in electronic engineering (under the name of the Z-transform). The familiar decimal notation for real numbers can also be viewed as an example of a power series, with integer coefficients, but with the argument x fixed at 1⁄10. In number theory, the concept of p-adic numbers is also closely related to that of a power series.

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  1. P

    How Do You Calculate the Coefficients and Convergence of a Complex Power Series?

    Homework Statement Suppose that f(z) = ∑a_j.z^j for all complex z, the sum goes from j=0 to infinity. (a) Find the power series expansion for f' (b) Where does it converge? (c) Find the power series expansion for f^2 (d) Where does it converge? (e) Suppose that f'(x)^2 + f(x)^2 = 1...
  2. X

    Derivative of e^x Power Series: Own Power Series

    Homework Statement I need to demonstrate that \frac{\mathrm{d} }{\mathrm{d} x}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty }\frac{x^{n}}{n!}= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty }\frac{x^{n}}{n!} Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I just need a hint on how to start this problem, so how would you guys start this problem?
  3. I

    Formal power series and non/homogeneous recurrence relations

    Homework Statement Homework Equations We're using generating functions, and recurrence relations of homogeneous and non-homogeneous types The mark allocation is 2, 3, 3 and 2 The Attempt at a Solution I think I've done the first part correctly. The closed form is in terms...
  4. S

    Power series question involving classical mechanics

    Homework Statement A heavy weight is suspended by a cable and pulled to one side by a force F. How much force is required to hold the weight in equilibrium at a given distance x to one side. From classical mechanics, TcosX= W and TsinX=F. Find F/W as a power series of X(angle). Often in a...
  5. M

    Is There a Power Series for X^2?

    title is pretty much the jist of it.
  6. D

    Can I Represent ln(1+x) as a Power Series?

    hi! are the following power series equivalent? ln(1+x)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n n! x^{n+1}}{(n+1)!} =\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n x^{n+1}}{n+1}
  7. M

    Approximating Pi with Power series

    How can I go about using a power series representation of arctan(x) to approximate Pi to five digits?
  8. T

    Solving differential equation using power series representation

    Homework Statement The problem is: (x2 - 4) y′′ + 3xy′ + y = 0, y(0) = 4, y′(0) = 1 Homework Equations Existence of power series: y = \sum c(x-x0)^n or y = (x-x0)^r\sum c(x-x0)^n The Attempt at a Solution I know the point x=2 is an ordinary point of the differential...
  9. S

    How can i find a power series for this integral?

    how can i find a power series for this integral? \int cos(x^3)
  10. R

    Power Series- radius of convergence

    Homework Statement determine the radius of convergence of the given power series \sum^{inf}_{n=1}\frac{n!x^n}{n^n} Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I did the ratio test then I had to take the 'ln' but, my answer is this |e|<1 for the series to converge. It...
  11. S

    Multiplication of power series

    Homework Statement Suppose that the power series \Sigma[a]_{n}[/tex]z^{n} and \Sigma b_{n} z^{n} havr radii of convergence R! and R2 respictively. Prove that the radius of convergence of the multiplication is at least R1 * R2 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I...
  12. S

    Few question related to power series

    Homework Statement let an= \sum^{k=1}_{n} 1/\sqrt{k} what is the radius of convergence of \Sigma\suma^{n=1}_{infinity} a_{n}x^n i tired including the an term into the x^n equation then i got stuck.. help please 2. Suppose that \alpha and \beta are positive real numbers with...
  13. S

    Represent sinh2x as power series

    Homework Statement find the first three non zero terms of a power series representation of f(x)= sinh 2x Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution seems easy enough do I just substitute 2x for x? so sinh 2x= 2x + 8x3/3! + 32x5/5!
  14. S

    Differential equations power series method

    Homework Statement using the power series method (centered at t=0) y'+t^3y = 0 find the recurrence relation Homework Equations y= \sum a_{n}t^{n} from n=0 to infinity y'= \sum na_{n}t^{n-1} from n=1 to infinity The Attempt at a Solution I went through and solved by putting the...
  15. J

    Radius of convergence of a power series

    Homework Statement Find the radius of convergence of \sumn!*xn from n=0 to \infty Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I did the ratio test and was able to get it down to abs(x) * lim as n approaches \infty of abs(n+1). It seems to me that the radius of convergence...
  16. M

    Analyzing the Convergence of a Power Series

    Im given the following power series: \sum (x-3)^n/ n I determined that the radius of convergence is R=1 and the interval of convergence is [2, 4) They ask what values of x for which series converges absolutely? and values of x for which series converges conditionally? From what i...
  17. R

    FLuxions. differenntials and power series

    Homework Statement The firstthing I need to note is this is for a HISTORY of math course, so we have to use non modern techniques in most cases, some not. In other words, thequestion describes how to solve them. I'm also on a compyuter with a terrible keyboard so I'm doing my best. 1)...
  18. S

    Power Series ArcTan: Analyzing the Expansion & Convergence

    Power Series ArcTan? Homework Statement Let f be the function given by f(t) = 4/(1+t^2) and G be the function given by G(x)= Integral from 0 to x of f(t)dt. A) Find the first four nonzero terms and the general term for the power series expansion of f(t) about x=0. B) Find the first four...
  19. S

    Power Series Representation of ln(1+7x)

    how can i find a power series representation for a function like f(x)= ln(1+7x)?
  20. S

    Finding Power Series Representation of Derivatives: 1/x-9

    how can i find a power series representaion of d/dx (1/x-9)
  21. G

    Differential Eq. and power series

    Homework Statement y'' + x2y' + xy = 0 Homework Equations using power series: y'' = \Sigmacnn(n-1)xn-2 (n = 2 -> infinity) y' = \Sigmacn(n-1)xn-1 (n = 1 -> infinity) y = \Sigmacnxn (n = 0 -> infinty) The Attempt at a Solution by setting the above equation with its...
  22. P

    Calculating Sum of Series: 1, (4-a)x, (7-a^2)x^2...

    I just had this question on my exam and I was wondering whether my method of calculating it was right: I was meant to find sum to n terms of this: 1, (4-a)x, (7-a^2)x^2, (10-a^3)x^3, (13-a^4)x^4... Would the correct way to go about it be expand it: 1, 4x-ax. 7x^2-a^2x^2... and...
  23. C

    Power Series Estimation/Error Problem

    Homework Statement Use power series to estimate \int_0^1 \cos(x^2)dx with an error no greater than 0.005Homework Equations Lagrange Error Formula \frac{f^{(n+1)}}{(n+1)!}(x-a)^{(n+1)} The Attempt at a Solution My original attempt was to find the series for \cos(x^2) , integrate it, and...
  24. M

    Finding the Sum of a Convergent Power Series

    Homework Statement evaluate ∑ n^2.x^n where 0<x<1 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution let a_n = n^2 and c=0 then radius of convergence, R=1 hence the series convergences when |x|<1 let f(x) = ∑ n^2.x^n then f'(x) = ∑ n^3.x^n-1 for n=0 to infinity then f'(x) = ∑...
  25. B

    Solving the Radius of Convergence of a Periodic Power Series

    Homework Statement Consider the power series Σanxn = 1+2x+3x2+x3+2x4+3x5+x6+… in which the coefficients an=1,2,3,1,2,3,1,... are periodic of period p=3. Find the radius of convergence. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution My attempt at a solution was to first state...
  26. J

    Find coefficient on power series

    (Moderator's note: thread moved from "General Math") Hi. I am confused with this question. I tried two different ways to solve it, but I got different answers for each way. The question is "Determine the coefficient of x^100 in the pwer series form of (1+x+x^2)/((1-x^3)^2)" First, I tried...
  27. R

    Proving diagonalizability with the power series

    Homework Statement If A is a diagonal matrix with the diagonal entries a1, a2, ..., an, use the power series to prove that exp(At) is a diagonal matrix with the entries exp(a1t), exp(a2t), ..., exp(ant). Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I can prove that A is...
  28. 5

    Formal Power Series: Proving ED & Irreducibility in R[x]

    Homework Statement Let F be a field. Consider the ring R=F[[t]] of the formal power series in t. It is clear that R is a commutative ring with unity. the things in R are things of the form infiniteSUM{ a_n } = a_0 + a_1 t + a_2 t +... b is a unit iff the constant term a_0 =/= 0...
  29. R

    Two Power Series questions that need to be solved ly

    Two Power Series questions that need to be solved urgently Homework Statement Question 1: The function f(x) = 2x (ln(1+x)) is represented as a power series. Find coefficients c2 through c6 of the power series. Question 2: Write a partial sum for the power series which represents the function...
  30. R

    Finding the interval of convergence and the radius of a power series

    Homework Statement Find the radius and interval of convergence of the power series: \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{x^{2n-1}}{(n+1)\sqrt{n}} Homework Equations .. The Attempt at a Solution My soltion: the ratio test will gives |x^2|=|x|^2 it converges if |x|^2 < 1 i.e. if |x|<1 i.e...
  31. W

    Does Any Non-Trivial Power Series Uniformly Converge on All R?

    Homework Statement 1.Is there any non-trivial power series that uniformly converges in all R? (a non-trivial power series has infinite non-zero coefficients...) 2. 2. Let f(X) be defined in [a,b]. We'll define fn(x) = [nf(x)] / n where [t]=floor value of t... Check if the series (fn(x))...
  32. N

    How to Find the Sum of Power Series Without a Variable?

    \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(n+1)(n+2)x^n
  33. E

    Coefficients in the power series

    Hi, I am trying to prove something, but I need some kind of a result on the coefficients of a power series. Suppose f(z) has a power series expansion about zero (converges). What can I say about the sum of the absolute values of the coefficients? Ideally I would like to show this sum is...
  34. G

    What is the Power Series for exp(z) + exp(w*z) + exp(z*w^2)?

    We have already shown 1+ w+ w^2 =0 If w is the complex number exp(2*Pi*i/3) , find the power series for; exp(z) +exp(w*z) + exp (z*w^2) We have already shown 1+ w+ w^2 =0
  35. L

    What is the power series for sqrt(x+1) using the square root algorithm?

    How would you go about finding the power series for sqrt(x+1) by applying the square root algorithm. I can do it using binomial expansion and other formulas but I'm not familiar with the square root algorithm involving variables.
  36. R

    What is the power series representation for F(x)= 3/4x^3-5, where c=1?

    [b]1. Find a power series for F(x)= 3/4x^3-5, where c=1 [b]2. power series = 1/a-r [b]3. What I did was take a derivative to get a similar function that was easier to solve. I used 1/x^3-1. Then I found a series for that function. Which I got \sum(x^3)^n. Then I added back from my...
  37. C

    Second order linear system and power series: Differential Equations

    Homework Statement Find a third degree polynomial approximation for the general solution to the differential equation: \frac{d^{2}y}{dt^{2}} +3\frac{dy}{dt}+2y= ln(t+1) Homework Equations Power series expansion for ln(t+1) The Attempt at a Solution The system to the...
  38. V

    Power Series - Differential Equation (check my answer)

    Using the power series method to solve the differential equation y'+xy=0 when y(0)=1 Write the solution in the form of a power series and then recognize what function it represents. ************************************ My answer: \sum(-1)k*[(x2k)/(2k)*k!] Is my answer correct? Is...
  39. G

    Need help on Power Series Question

    Homework Statement y''+t^2*y'-y=1-t^2Homework Equations y(0)=-2 y'(0)=1 Find the first 6 coefficients C1=-2 C2=1 C3=? (-1?) C4=? C5=? C6=? The Attempt at a Solution Okay so I tried to do this but I'm not used to having anything on the RHS of the equation. I got down to...
  40. B

    Finding Radius of Convergence of the Power Series

    Homework Statement "Find the radius of convergence of the power series for the following functions, expanded about the indicated point. 1 / (z - 1), about z = i. Homework Equations 1 / (1 - z) = 1 + z + z^2 + z^3 + z^4 + ... + Ratio Test: limsup sqrt(an)^k)^1/k The...
  41. N

    Non homogeneous differential equation - power series solution

    I am having trouble getting to a solution for this differential equation 2(x^2+2x)y' - y(x+1) = x^2+2x -------- 1 for a series solution, we have to assume y = \sum a_{n}x^n ---------- 2 if we divide equation 1 by x^2 + 2x , we get (x+1)/(x^2+2x) for the y term, which is where my problem...
  42. E

    Solving differential equation (involves power series)

    Hey guys. I'm new here. I've been trying to figure out how to solve this problem, and I'm still confused. (-x^2 + 4x -3)* d2y/dx2 - 2(x-2) * dy/dx + 6y = 0 y(-2) = 1 dy/dx(-2) = 0 I set y = \suman(x+2)n (start at n=0, n goes to infinity) dy/dx = \sumann(x+2)n-1 (start at n=0, n...
  43. Z

    Calculating Coefficients of Infinite Power Series

    given the infinite power series f(x)= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_ {n}x^{n} if we know ALL the a(n) is there a straight formula to get the coefficients of the b(n) \frac{1}{f(x)}= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}b_ {n}x^{n} for example from the chain rule for 1/x and f(x) could be obtain some...
  44. P

    Differentiating a complex power series

    Homework Statement Say f(z) = Σ(z^n), with sum from 0 to infinity Then we can say f'(z) = Σn(z^n-1), with sum from 0 to infinity (i) = Σn(z^n-1), with sum from 1 to infinity (as the zero-th term is 0)...
  45. P

    Division of complex power series

    Homework Statement Find tan(z) up to the z^7 term, where tan(z) = sin(z)/cos(z) Homework Equations sin(z) = z - z^3/3! + z^5/5! - z^7/7! + ... cos(z) = 1 - z^2/2! + z^4/4! - z^6/6! + ... The Attempt at a Solution Hi, Seeing as sin and cos have the same power series as for when...
  46. P

    Power series for complex function

    Homework Statement Find the power series for the function f(z) = (1-z)^-m Hint: Differentiation gives: f'(z) = m(1-z)^m-1 = m(1-z)^-1.f(z) or: zf'(z) + mf(z) = f'(z) Use the formula for differentiation of power series to determine the coefficients of the power series for f...
  47. Z

    Power series of inverse trig functions

    How do you find the power series for inverse trig functions? Can I find the power series for arcsin by manipulating the power series for sin? Thanks!
  48. J

    Can you check my work? power series representation

    can you check my work? "power series representation" is ok I figure it out.
  49. R

    Finding eigenvalues with the power series method

    Homework Statement Consider the matrix [1,-5,5;-3,-1,3;1,-2,2] Do four interations of the power method, beginning at [1,1,1] to approximate the dominant eigenvalues of A Homework Equations Matrix multiplication The Attempt at a Solution Okay my issue with this problem is this I...
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