Chapter 9: Problem 296
Find \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{(2 n-1) !}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The sum of the series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{(2 n-1) !}\) is \(\frac{1}{2}(e^{-1} + e^{1}) - 1\)
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Taylor series for exponential function
The Taylor series for the function \(e^x\) at \(x = -1\) and \(x = 1\) can be written as: \[e^{-1} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{n!}\] \[e^{1} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{1^n}{n!}\] These series include terms for both odd and even values of \(n\).
02
Divide the series into even and odd terms
For \(e{-1}\) and \(e{1}\) split the series into two, one for even \(n\) and another for odd \(n\), using the fact that \(n = 2k\) for even \(n\) and \(n = 2k-1\) for odd \(n\), where \(k\) is a natural number. Now, note that the sum of \(e^{-1}\) and \(e^{1}\) will cover all the odd factorial terms needed.
03
Determine even and odd terms series
\[e^{-1} + e^{1} = \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{2k}}{(2k)!} + \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{1^{2k}}{(2k)!} + \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{2k+1}}{(2k+1)!} + \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{1^{2k+1}}{(2k+1)!}\] The series for odd factorials starting from \(k=1\) to infinity is the series we need to find. So, the sum of \(\frac{1}{(2 n-1) !}\) from \(n=1\) to infinity will be: \[\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{(2 n-1) !} = \frac{1}{2}(e^{-1} + e^{1}) - 1\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Taylor Series
A Taylor series is a way to represent a function as an infinite sum of terms. These terms are derived from the values of a function's derivatives at a single point. The general formula for a Taylor series centered around zero (also known as a Maclaurin series) is:
- \[ f(x) = f(0) + f'(0)x + \frac{f''(0)}{2!}x^2 + \frac{f'''(0)}{3!}x^3 + \dots \]
- Each term in the series involves the function's derivatives, factorials, and powers of \( x \).
Exponential Function
The exponential function, denoted as \(e^x\), is a mathematical function of the form:
- \[ e^x = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{x^n}{n!} \]
- This series can be expanded for both positive and negative values of \(x\).
- \[ e^{1} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{1^n}{n!} \]
- \[ e^{-1} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{n!} \]
Factorials
Factorials, denoted by an exclamation point (!), represent the product of all positive integers up to a given number. For example:
- \(5! = 5 \times 4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1 = 120 \)
- \(0!\) is a special case which equals 1 by definition.
Odd Terms
Odd terms in a series are those associated with odd indices. For instance, from the Taylor series expansion:
- The term \( x^1/1! \) is an odd term.
- The term \( x^3/3! \) is another example of an odd term.
- Using the properties of even and odd functions, the solution breaks them into simpler, distinct parts for calculation.
- Through this method, we establish the relationship of odd terms to the respective exponential functions at specific points.