View Full Version : Summation from -infinity to infinity
radiation
Aug 25, 2009, 09:44 AM
how do u find the value of 'sigma' from n=-infinity to infinity for (1/2)^(2 mod n)..
sorry wasn't able to put it in the right format..
Unknown008
Aug 25, 2009, 10:00 AM
Is that it?
\sum^n _{-\infty\to\infty} \(\({\frac12}\)^{2|n|}\)
You can try the LaTeX (http://www.forkosh.com/mimetextutorial.html) tutorial...
moonfish1985
Aug 26, 2009, 04:12 AM
The most logical interpretation I can come up with for (2 mod n) is 2 modulo n, which makes no sense whatsoever. Unless the sum is supposed to diverge, then it's prefectly logical. Because for |n|>to the expression (2 mod n) is simply 2, meaning the sum is the same as (and excuse me for being too lazy to use LaTeX):
[the sum from n=-inf to -3 for (1/4)] + [the sum from n=-2 to 2 for (1/2)^(2 mod n)] + [the sum from n=3 to inf for (1/4)]
The first and past part of that expression diverge to infinity.
galactus
Aug 26, 2009, 03:59 PM
If |n| were an absolute value, then we could write:
2\sum_{0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{4^{|n|}}=\frac{8}{3}
What we have is a geometric series. \frac{1}{1-\frac{1}{4}}=\frac{4}{3}
Just a thought. I am uncertain of the 'mod' as well.
radiation
Aug 28, 2009, 06:40 AM
The notation given by jerry is exactly right.. The answer given is 5/3... I don't know how to arrive at it..
jcaron2
Aug 28, 2009, 07:05 AM
The notation given by jerry is exactly right..The answer given is 5/3...i dont know how to arrive at it..
Galactus almost had it! I'm guessing he sees his mistake now that you say the right answer.
In doubling the sum from 0 to infinity (once to account for the negative values of n and once for the positive), he inadvertently counted n=0 twice. Hence, the real answer is actually \frac{8}{3}-1=\frac{5}{3}
galactus
Aug 28, 2009, 07:58 AM
Good catch, JCaron. Yes, it was an oversight.