A series is given by where is constant.
- (a)
Explain why this is a geometric series. Determine the range of values of for the sum to infinity of this series to exist.
- (b)
Using , and given that
find
leaving your answer in the form of , where , and are constants to be determined.
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Worked solution
2(a)
1. Show that the ratio between consecutive terms is constant to explain why it is a geometric series.
Let the -th term be .
Since the ratio is independent of , the series is a geometric series with common ratio .
2. State the condition for the convergence of a geometric series.
For the sum to infinity to exist, the common ratio must satisfy strictly between and ():
3. Solve the inequality to find the required range of values of $x$.
The series is a geometric series because the ratio of consecutive terms is a constant independent of .
Range of values:
2(b)
1. Substitute $x=1$ into the summation and expand the general term.
\n\n
2. Split the summation and apply the sum formulas, substituting $n-1$ for $n$.
\nSince the terms evaluate to zero for the first two sums, we have:\n\nUsing the given formula with replaced by , and the arithmetic series sum :\n\n
3. Factor out $n$ and expand the terms inside the brackets.
\n
4. Group like terms to express the final answer in the required $n(an^2 + bn + c)$ form.
\n\n
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