Chapter 5: Problem 5
About sums \(f_{j}\) and differences \(\boldsymbol{v}_{j}\). Show that \(f_{j}=r_{i}^{j}(r-1)\) has \(f_{j}-f_{j-1}=r^{j}\) '. Therefore the geometric series \(1+r+\cdots+r^{j-1}\) adds up to _____ (remember to subtract \(f_{0}\) ).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series sums to \( \frac{r^j - 1}{r - 1} \).
Step by step solution
01
Recap the Formula
We are given the formula for the function as \( f_j = r^j (r-1) \). We want to show that \( f_j - f_{j-1} = r^j \).
02
Substitute and Expand
Substitute \( j-1 \) in the formula to get \( f_{j-1} = r^{j-1} (r-1) \). Then, calculate \( f_j - f_{j-1} \).
03
Calculate the Difference
Compute \( f_j - f_{j-1} = r^j (r-1) - r^{j-1} (r-1) \). This simplifies to \((r^j - r^{j-1})(r-1) \).
04
Factor Out the Common Term
Factor out \( r^{j-1} \) from the term \((r^j - r^{j-1})\) to get \( r^{j-1} (r - 1) \). Then, multiply by \( (r-1) \, \) giving \( r^j \).
05
Derive the Geometric Series Sum Formula
Recognize that \( f_j = r^j (r-1) \) arose from the expression for the sum of a geometric series. Using the result, the sum of the series \( 1 + r + \cdots + r^{j-1} \) is \( \frac{r^j - 1}{r - 1} \) after subtracting \( f_0 = 0 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Sum of Geometric Series
A geometric series is a sum of terms where each term is a constant multiple, known as the ratio, of the previous term. To find the sum of a geometric series, such as \( 1 + r + r^2 + \, \cdots + \, r^{j-1} \), you can use a handy formula. This series can be expressed in a compact, formulaic way: \( \frac{r^j - 1}{r - 1} \).
For clarity:
For clarity:
- \( n \) is the number of terms.
- \( r \) is the common ratio.
- \( 1 \) is the first term.
Formula Derivation
Deriving the formula for the sum of a geometric series involves a little algebraic manipulation. Let's see how it's done. Begin with the sum:
- \( S = 1 + r + r^2 + \, \cdots + \, r^{j-1} \)
- \( rS = r + r^2 + r^3 + \, \cdots + \, r^j \)
- \( S - rS = 1 - r^j \)
- \( S (1 - r) = 1 - r^j \)
- \( S = \frac{1 - r^j}{1 - r} \)
Difference Calculation
Calculating the difference between consecutive terms in a geometric series is often necessary to understand the series' progression. Let's illustrate why this is important using the given functions, \( f_j = r^j (r-1) \) and \( f_{j-1} = r^{j-1} (r-1) \).
To find the difference, subtract \( f_{j-1} \) from \( f_j \):
To find the difference, subtract \( f_{j-1} \) from \( f_j \):
- \( f_j - f_{j-1} = r^j (r-1) - r^{j-1} (r-1) \)
- \( f_j - f_{j-1} = (r^j - r^{j-1}) (r-1) \)
- \( r^{j-1}(r-1)(r-1) = r^j - r^{j-1} = r^j (r-1) \)
Sequence and Series
In mathematics, understanding the interplay between sequences and series helps grasp how numbers pattern and accumulate. A sequence is an ordered list of numbers, while a series is the sum of a sequence's terms. Geometric sequences, where each term is a constant multiple of the previous, often morph into geometric series when summed.
Key concepts to remember include:
Key concepts to remember include:
- In a geometric sequence, each term varies by a consistent ratio \( r \).
- A geometric series is formed by summing the elements of a geometric sequence.
- The geometric series sum formula is \( \frac{r^j - 1}{r - 1} \), applicable for any \( j \) terms.