Chapter 9: Problem 29
Find the interval of convergence. $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{n^{2} x^{2 n}}{2^{2 n}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The interval of convergence is \((-2, 2)\.\)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Series Coefficients
The given series is \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{n^{2} x^{2n}}{2^{2n}} \). We can see that this is in the form of a power series \( \sum a_n x^n \) with \( a_n = \frac{n^{2}}{2^{2n}} \) and terms \( x^{2n} \).
02
Apply the Ratio Test
To find the interval of convergence, apply the ratio test to the general term \( a_n x^{2n} = \frac{n^2 x^{2n}}{2^{2n}} \). Calculate \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{a_{n+1} x^{2(n+1)}}{a_n x^{2n}} \right| \).
03
Simplify the Ratio
The ratio \( \left| \frac{\frac{(n+1)^{2} x^{2(n+1)}}{2^{2(n+1)}}}{\frac{n^2 x^{2n}}{2^{2n}}} \right| = \left| \frac{(n+1)^2 x^{2} x^{2n}}{4n^2 x^{2n}} \right| = \left| \frac{(n+1)^2 x^2}{4n^2} \right| \).
04
Take the Limit of the Simplified Ratio
Calculate \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)^2 x^2}{4n^2} \right| = |x^2| \cdot \lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)^2}{4n^2} \right| = |x^2| \cdot \frac{1}{4} = \frac{x^2}{4} \).
05
Determine Convergence from the Ratio Test
According to the ratio test, the series converges if \( \frac{x^2}{4} < 1 \). This simplifies to \( x^2 < 4 \) or \( -2 < x < 2 \).
06
Check Endpoints for Convergence
Test the endpoints \( x = -2 \) and \( x = 2 \) separately to see if they converge. Substitute \( x = 2 \) into the original series: \( \sum \frac{n^2 4^n}{4^n} = \sum n^2 \), which diverges. Substitute \( x = -2 \) gives \( \sum \frac{n^2 4^n}{4^n} = \sum n^2 \), which also diverges. Both endpoints do not contribute to the convergence interval.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Ratio Test
The ratio test is a powerful tool used to determine the convergence of an infinite series. It involves examining the ratio of successive terms in the series. For a given power series \( \sum a_n x^n \), we apply the ratio test by calculating the limit:
- \( L = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{a_{n+1} x^{n+1}}{a_n x^n} \right| \)
Power Series
A power series is an infinite series in the form \( \sum c_n x^n \), where \( c_n \) are the coefficients of the series, and \( x \) is a variable. This kind of series is of great importance in calculus because it allows functions to be expressed as infinite polynomials.
- Power series are used to describe a wide range of functions.
- They converge to a particular function within a certain interval called the interval of convergence.
Convergence
Convergence in the context of series analysis refers to whether the sum of an infinite series approaches a finite limit. For power series, this is only guaranteed within a specific range of \( x \) values known as the interval of convergence.
- A convergent series implies that as you sum more terms, the total approaches a particular value.
- Divergent series indicates that the sum does not settle on a number as more terms are added.
Endpoints
Checking endpoints is a crucial step in determining the complete interval of convergence. For the given series, after applying the ratio test, we arrived at an interval from \(-2\) to \(2\) but need to test these boundary values separately.
- Substitute \( x = 2 \) into the original series and check if it converges. If the series sums to infinity or does not stabilize, it diverges.
- Similarly, substitute \( x = -2 \) and analyze the behavior of the series for convergence or divergence.