Stange series!

What is the sum of this infinite series?

12+34+56+78+...1-2+3-4+5-6+7-8+...

#NumberTheory

Note by Fahim Muhtamim
1 year, 7 months ago

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Comments

It should be a divergent obstacle series. However, it has an "answer". This sum is actually the square of 11+11+1-1+1-1+\cdots, which is 14\dfrac{1}{4}

Isaac YIU Math Studio - 1 year, 7 months ago

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How?

Fahim Muhtamim - 1 year, 7 months ago

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The infinite series 1+2x+3x2+4x3+=(1+x+x2+)2=1(1x)21+2x+3x^2+4x^3+\cdots=(1+x+x^2+\cdots)^2=\dfrac{1}{(1-x)^2}, if we substitute x=1x=-1, we get the answer

Isaac YIU Math Studio - 1 year, 7 months ago
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