Chapter 13: Problem 55
Expand each sum. \(\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \frac{1}{3^{k+1}}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expanded sum is \(\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{9} + \frac{1}{27} + \ldots + \frac{1}{3^n}\).
Step by step solution
01
Title - Understand the Summation
The given summation is \(\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \frac{1}{3^{k+1}}\). This indicates that we need to calculate the sum of the terms \(\frac{1}{3^{k+1}}\) for values of \(k\) starting from \(0\) and going up to \((n-1)\).
02
Title - Write Out the First Few Terms
Substitute \(k = 0, 1, 2, \ldots, n-1\) into the term \(\frac{1}{3^{k+1}}\). The first few terms are: \(\frac{1}{3^1}, \frac{1}{3^2}, \frac{1}{3^3},\ \ldots,\ \frac{1}{3^n}\).
03
Title - Expand the Summation
Expand the summation notation into an explicit sum: \(\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{3^2} + \frac{1}{3^3} + \ldots + \frac{1}{3^n}\).
04
Title - Conclusion
The expanded form of the summation \(\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \frac{1}{3^{k+1}}\) is \(\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{9} + \frac{1}{27} + \ldots + \frac{1}{3^n}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
geometric series
A geometric series is a series with a constant ratio between successive terms. In the given exercise, the ratio between each term is \(\frac{1}{3}\). Here's how you can recognize a geometric series:
\{a, ar, ar^2, ar^3, \ldots\}\ where 'a' is the first term and 'r' is the common ratio.
- Each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a fixed, non-zero number called the common ratio.
- In our sum \(\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{9} + \frac{1}{27} + \ldots + \frac{1}{3^n}\), the common ratio \(\frac{1}{3}\). So, each term is \(\frac{1}{3}\) times the previous term.
\{a, ar, ar^2, ar^3, \ldots\}\ where 'a' is the first term and 'r' is the common ratio.
series expansion
Series expansion involves writing out the terms of a series to make summing them up easier. For the sum \(\frac{1}{3^1} + \frac{1}{3^2} + \frac{1}{3^3} + \ldots + \frac{1}{3^n}\), you deal with each term individually.
To expand it, we substitute each value of k from 0 to (n-1) into \(\frac{1}{3^{k+1}}\):
To expand it, we substitute each value of k from 0 to (n-1) into \(\frac{1}{3^{k+1}}\):
- For k=0: \(\frac{1}{3^{0+1}} = \frac{1}{3}\).
- For k=1: \(\frac{1}{3^{1+1}} = \frac{1}{9}\).
- For k=2: \(\frac{1}{3^{2+1}} = \frac{1}{27}\).
algebraic notation
Algebraic notation helps in representing series in a concise form using symbols and variables. In the initial exercise, the series is written as: \(\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \frac{1}{3^{k+1}}\).
Here's how the algebraic notation works:
Here's how the algebraic notation works:
- The summation symbol \(\sum\) indicates that you are summing up terms.
- The variable 'k' is called the index of summation, starting at 0 and ending at \((n-1)\).
- The expression \(\frac{1}{3^{k+1}}\) is the general term being summed.
finite series
A finite series is a series that has a definite number of terms. Unlike an infinite series that goes on forever, a finite series stops after a certain number of terms.
In the exercise, the series is finite because it stops at the term \(\frac{1}{3^n}\).
In the exercise, the series is finite because it stops at the term \(\frac{1}{3^n}\).
- Finite series are simpler to sum because of their limited number of terms.
- You can use specific formulas to easily sum them.