Fibonacci Sum

Calculus Level 4

Use any summation method which is linear and stable , find the sum of all the positive Fibonacci numbers ,

1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 8 + . 1+1+2+3+5+8+\cdots.

Give your answer to 1 decimal place.


The answer is -1.0.

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1 solution

展豪 張
Sep 9, 2016

Relevant wiki: Sums Of Divergent Series

Let S = 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 8 + S=1+1+2+3+5+8+\cdots , then
0 = S S = ( 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 8 + ) ( 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 8 + ) = 1 + ( 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 8 + ) ( 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 8 + ) (stability) = 1 + ( 0 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + ) (linearity) = 1 + S \begin{aligned} 0&=S-S\\ &=(1+1+2+3+5+8+\cdots)-(1+1+2+3+5+8+\cdots)\\ &=1+(1+2+3+5+8+\cdots)-(1+1+2+3+5+8+\cdots)\quad\text{(stability)}\\ &=1+(0+1+1+2+3+\cdots)\quad\text{(linearity)}\\ &=1+S \end{aligned} So S = 1 S=-1


Another method is to use Abel sum.
S = lim x 1 ( 1 + x + 2 x 2 + 3 x 3 + ) = lim x 1 1 1 x x 2 = 1 \displaystyle S=\lim_{x\to 1^-}(1+x+2x^2+3x^3+\cdots)=\lim_{x\to 1^-}\frac{1}{1-x-x^2}=-1

How is this possible? First term is itself greater than sum!

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 9 months ago

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Suggested reading: sum of divergent series

展豪 張 - 4 years, 9 months ago

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I read but I am thinking why is that a sum ?

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 9 months ago

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@Prince Loomba This is a way to assign a number to a divergent 'sum' which behaves intuitively similar to a sum. For example, it is stable and linear. Though in normal sense it does not converge and does not have a sum, its sum should be that number if it really exists.

展豪 張 - 4 years, 9 months ago

It's a similar summation method to 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + = 1 12 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + \ldots = - \frac{1}{12} .

Calvin Lin Staff - 4 years, 8 months ago

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I am new to these methods. I didnt know before

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 8 months ago

We can also use Binet's formula for nth Fibonacci number.

Harsh Shrivastava - 4 years, 8 months ago

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Seems a interesting approach. Could you show your solution here?

展豪 張 - 4 years, 8 months ago

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