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SERIES EXPANSIONS

Power Series
Sequences
An infinite sequence obtained by assigning to each
positive integer n a number zn, called a term of the
sequence.

A convergent sequence is one that has a limit c

A divergent sequence is one that does not converge.


Series
When we studied integration, we approximated the area
under a curve by adding up a bunch of rectangles

make the width of the rectangles smaller and smaller,


finding the limit of the area as the width went to zero, to
find the area.
adding up an infinite number of rectangle areas
Series
A way to formally add up an infinite amount of numbers, in
a way that makes sense.
Determining whether or not the series converges, that is,
whether or not it has a real sum, can be tricky.
Series
Series
List of common series
Geometric series
Each term in the series is obtained from the preceding one by
multiplying it by a common ratio

a=1, and r=1/2

Convergent when |r| < 1, and the sum is


List of common series
p-series
Harmonic series
Alternating series
Telescoping series
Power Series
A power series in powers of xa is an infinite series of the
form
List of Series Tests
Divergence Test
If the limit of a[n] is not zero, or does not exist, then the sum
diverges.

Ex.

if the limit is zero, you still may not get


convergence
the limit as n goes to infinity of (n+1)/n is 1
It does not converge
List of Series Tests
Integral test
Comparison test
Limit comparison test
Alternating series test
Absolute convergence test
Root test
Ratio Test
Ratio Test
If the limit of |a[n+1]/a[n]| is less than 1, then the series
(absolutely) converges. If the limit is larger than one, or
infinite, then the series diverges.

Example

This limit is less than 1; therefore, the series converges.


Example
Determine if the following series is convergent or divergent.

So, L<1 and so, by the Ratio Test, the series converges absolutely and hence
will converge.
Example
Determine if the following series is convergent or divergent.

So, by the Ratio Test, this series diverges.


Example
Example
Example
Radius of Convergence

Example
Example
Determine the interval and radius of convergence
Interval of Convergence
(-11, 1)
R: (1 -11)/2 = 6

Ratio
Divergence
Test
Test

Try x = 1
Example
Determine the interval and radius of convergence

Ratio
Interval of Convergence
Test
(-, +)
R:
Power series representations
Example
Example
Example
Example
Example
Example
THE END
QUESTIONS?
Series
A series is the indicated sum of a succession of constant or variable
terms each of which is formed according to a definite rule or law.
Examples of series are;
(1) 1 + 8 + 27 + 64 + 125
If the number of terms is limited as in (1) the series is said to be
finite. If the number of terms is unlimited as in (2), the series is called
an infinite series. An infinite series is denoted by the expression

Where each u is formed according to some fixed law. If each term is


a number, the infinite series is said to be a series of constant terms,
but if each term is a function of one or more variables, the series is a
series of variable terms.
Power Series
A generalization of a polynomial function
sin(x)
ex
ln(x)
sqrt(x)
A power series in x-a is a series of the form
c0 + c1(x-a) + c2(x-a)2 + + cn(x-a)n +
We use the notation

Note the case (x-a)0 = 1, even when x = a


Power Series
If x is a particular number, the power series becomes an
infinite series of constant terms. A special case is obtained
when a=0, and the series becomes a power series in x, which
is

In dealing with an infinite series of constant terms, we were


concerned with the question of convergence or divergence of
the series. In considering a power series, we ask, for what
values of x does the power series converge? For each value
of x for which the power series converges, the series
represents the number that is the sum of the series. A power
series in x, defines a function having as its domain all values of
x for which the power series converges.
Example
Find the values of x for which the power series is
convergent:

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