Chapter 11: Problem 47
Derive the geometric series representation of \(1 /(1-x)\) by finding \(a_{0}, a_{1}, a_{2}, \ldots\) such that $$(1-x)\left(a_{0}+a_{1} x+a_{2} x^{2}+a_{3} x^{3}+\cdots\right)=1$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series representation of \(\frac{1}{1-x}\) is \(1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + \cdots\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the problem
We need to find a series such that when multiplied by \((1-x)\), the result is 1. This series will represent \(\frac{1}{1-x}\), a formula often seen in geometric series sum representations.
02
Consider the basic structure
We are given \((1-x)\left(a_{0} + a_{1} x + a_{2} x^2 + a_{3} x^3 + \cdots\right) = 1\). The task is to find the coefficients \(a_0, a_1, a_2, \ldots\) that satisfy this equation.
03
Expand the expression using distribution
Apply the distributive property: \[(1-x)(a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + a_3 x^3 + \cdots) = a_0 + (a_1 - a_0)x + (a_2 - a_1)x^2 + (a_3 - a_2)x^3 + \cdots\].
04
Match terms to solve for coefficients
For the equality to hold: - The constant term must be 1: \(a_0 = 1\).- The coefficient of each power of \(x\) must be 0 for all other terms: 1. \(a_1 - a_0 = 0\) gives \(a_1 = a_0 = 1\).2. \(a_2 - a_1 = 0\) gives \(a_2 = a_1 = 1\).3. Continuing this reasoning, \(a_n = 1\) for all \(n\).
05
Write the series representation
The series is: \[a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + a_3 x^3 + \cdots = 1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + \cdots\]. This is the geometric series for \(\frac{1}{1-x}\) when \(|x| < 1\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Series Representation
In mathematics, particularly calculus and analysis, a series representation helps depict a function as an infinite sum of terms. For the function \( \frac{1}{1-x} \), we aim to express it using a series of terms combined together. This representation helps in providing insights into the behavior and approximation of the function over different intervals.
- A geometric series is one of the simplest forms of series representations, where each term is a constant multiple of the previous one.
- The task is to express \( \frac{1}{1-x} \) as a sum of power terms in \( x \), specifically \( 1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + \cdots \).
- This series, we just mentioned, converges entirely when \( |x| < 1 \).
Distributive Property
The distributive property is a fundamental arithmetic principle stating that multiplying a number by a sum is the same as doing each multiplication separately. In symbols, it is given as:
\[a imes (b+c) = a imes b + a imes c\]This property allows us to expand expressions systematically, which is crucial in obtaining more complex series or polynomial forms.
\[a imes (b+c) = a imes b + a imes c\]This property allows us to expand expressions systematically, which is crucial in obtaining more complex series or polynomial forms.
- In the context of our problem, apply the distributive property to \((1-x)\) multiplied by the unknown series \(a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + \cdots\).
- This expansion simplifies understanding by breaking the multiplication into individual terms: \(a_0 + (a_1 - a_0)x + (a_2 - a_1)x^2 + \cdots\).
- Applying this approach helps to match coefficients and solve for unknowns, such as finding all \(a_n = 1\).
Series Coefficients
The series coefficients \(a_0, a_1, a_2, \ldots\) are the constants that appear in the terms of the series representation. For our problem, they are essential to ensure the equality holds for every power of \(x\).
- Each coefficient aligns with terms in the equation \((1-x)(a_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + \cdots) = 1\).
- Through solving, we find that \(a_0 = 1\), and subsequently all other coefficients like \(a_1 = a_2 = a_3 = \cdots = 1\) resulting from the condition imposed on each power of \(x\).
- These coefficients are key in shaping the power series to effectively capture the behavior of the function \( \frac{1}{1-x} \).
Power Series Expansion
A power series expansion expresses a function as an infinite sum of terms consisting of powers of a variable. In a sense, it is similar to a polynomial with infinitely many terms.
- The goal of the expansion is to represent the function \( \frac{1}{1-x} \), which involves expressing it as a sum of powers of \(x\).
- This power series takes the form \(1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + \cdots\), spanning numerous terms that provide an accurate depiction for \(|x|<1\).
- Power series are integral in mathematics because they can accurately model behaviors in physics and engineering where polynomial approximations are inadequate.