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
Write down the series
The given series is \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{n^{2} x^{2n}}{2^{2n}} \). This is a power series centered at 0 with terms \( a_n = \frac{n^2 x^{2n}}{2^{2n}} \).
02
Apply the Ratio Test
To find the interval of convergence, we use the Ratio Test. For the general term \( a_n = \frac{n^2 x^{2n}}{2^{2n}} \), consider the ratio \( \left| \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \right| \):\[\left| \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \right| = \left| \frac{((n+1)^2 x^{2(n+1)}) / 2^{2(n+1)}}{(n^2 x^{2n}) / 2^{2n}} \right| = \left| \frac{(n+1)^2 x^2}{4 n^2} \right|.\]Simplify to get:\[\left| \frac{(n+1)^2}{n^2} \right| \cdot \left| x^2 \right| \cdot \frac{1}{4}.\]
03
Evaluate the limit as n approaches infinity
Evaluate the limit:\[ \lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)^2}{n^2} \right| = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 + \frac{2}{n} + \frac{1}{n^2}\right) = 1.\] Thus, substituting back, we have:\[\lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \right| = \frac{|x^2|}{4} = \frac{x^2}{4}.\]
04
Find interval from the limit result
For convergence, the Ratio Test requires this limit to be less than 1:\[\frac{x^2}{4} < 1.\]Multiply both sides by 4:\[x^2 < 4.\]Take the square root of both sides:\[|x| < 2.\]
05
Determine the interval bounds
The inequality \(|x| < 2\) gives the interval of convergence \((-2, 2)\). Check the endpoints to determine if they are included.For \(x = 2\) and \(x = -2\), substitute into the series. Both result in a series that diverges by the comparison test (compared to the p-series). Thus, the endpoints are not included in the interval.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Power Series
A power series is a type of series involving terms of a variable raised to a power. Think of it like a polynomial, but one that can have infinitely many terms. The general form of a power series is:
- \[ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} c_n (x-a)^n \]
- \( c_n \) are the coefficients of the series,
- \( x \) is the variable,
- \( a \) is the center or the point around which the series is centered.
Ratio Test
The Ratio Test is a useful tool to determine if an infinite series converges. It is particularly handy for power series. Here's the basic idea:
- For a given series \( \sum a_n \), calculate the ratio \( \left| \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \right| \).
- Check the limit \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \right| \).
- If this limit \(< 1\), the series converges.
- If it is \(> 1\) or \(\infty\), the series diverges.
- If it equals \(1\), the test is inconclusive.
Limit Evaluation
In the context of series, limits help us understand the behavior of terms as \( n \) becomes very large. Evaluating limits is crucial when applying the Ratio Test. In our exercise, the limit of the ratio was evaluated as follows:
- Calculate \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)^2}{n^2} \right| \).
- Use algebra to express \((n+1)^2 = n^2 + 2n + 1 \).
- Divide each term by \( n^2 \) to get \( 1 + \frac{2}{n} + \frac{1}{n^2} \).
- As \( n \to \infty \), terms \( \frac{2}{n} \) and \( \frac{1}{n^2} \) become \(0\).
- Thus, the limit is \(1\).
Infinite Series
Infinite series can look intimidating, but they're fundamentally a sequence of summed terms that go on forever. This concept underpins much of calculus and analysis in mathematics. Understanding infinite series involves:
- Recognizing the series' structure: terms, general formula, and starting point.
- Determining convergence: figuring out if the series totals to a finite number.
- Using tests like the Ratio Test to evaluate convergence.
- Finding the interval of convergence for power series, like \( (-2, 2) \) in our series.