Inverse Sum Quintic

Calculus Level 5

n = 1 ( k = 0 n k 5 ) 1 \large\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left({\displaystyle\sum_{k=0}^nk^5} \right)^{-1}

If the value of the series above can be expressed as A π 2 + B π tan ( π C 2 ) + D A\pi^2 + \sqrt B \pi \tan \left( \dfrac{\pi \sqrt C}2\right)+ D where A , B , C A,B,C and D D are integers, find the value of A + B + C + D A+B+C+D .


Inspiration .


The answer is 251.

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1 solution

Otto Bretscher
Sep 17, 2015

Lovely and over the top!

The inside term is 12 n 2 ( n + 1 ) 2 ( 2 n 2 + 2 n 1 ) = 12 n 2 12 ( n + 1 ) 2 + 48 2 n 2 + 2 n 1 \frac{12}{n^2(n+1)^2(2n^2+2n-1)}=-\frac{12}{n^2}-\frac{12}{(n+1)^2}+\frac{48}{2n^2+2n-1} , and the sum works out to 2 π 2 ( 2 π 2 12 ) + 8 ( 6 + 3 π tan ( 3 π 2 ) ) -2\pi^2-(2\pi^2-12)+8\left(6+\sqrt{3}\pi\tan\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}\pi}{2}\right)\right) . Details omitted ;)

Where did the tan(pi * sqrt3 /2) come from?

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 9 months ago

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To do 1 2 n 2 + 2 n 1 = 1 2 ( n + a ) ( n + b ) \sum\frac{1}{2n^2+2n-1}=\sum\frac{1}{2(n+a)(n+b)} we can use 1 ( n + a ) ( n + b ) = ψ ( b + 1 ) ψ ( a + 1 ) b a \sum\frac{1}{(n+a)(n+b)}=\frac{\psi(b+1)-\psi(a+1)}{b-a} , where ψ \psi is the digamma function. Using the recursion and the reflection properties of the digamma function, we can work it out ... details left to the reader as an exercise ;)

Otto Bretscher - 5 years, 9 months ago

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You did Digamma? I didn't. This is the most important part of the solution that you're missing!!!! Can you please fill in the gaps?

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 9 months ago

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@Pi Han Goh Will write it up over the weekend... I'm a busy calculus teacher now ;)

Otto Bretscher - 5 years, 9 months ago

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@Otto Bretscher Note to self: Remind Mr. Otto Bretscher to post a solution in 36 hours time.

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 9 months ago

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@Pi Han Goh We have a , b = 1 ± 3 2 a,b=\frac{1\pm\sqrt{3}}{2} , and the "most important part of the solution" (as you put it) is computing ψ ( b + 1 ) ψ ( a + 1 ) \psi(b+1)-\psi(a+1) . Using first the recursion formula and then the reflection formula (since a + b = 1 a+b=1 ) for digamma, we find ψ ( b + 1 ) ψ ( a + 1 ) = ψ ( b ) ψ ( a ) + 1 b 1 a = π cot ( π a ) 2 3 \psi(b+1)-\psi(a+1)=\psi(b)-\psi(a)+\frac{1}{b}-\frac{1}{a}=\pi\cot(\pi{a})-2\sqrt{3} = π tan ( 3 π 2 ) 2 3 =-\pi\tan\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}\pi}{2}\right)-2\sqrt{3} which is what we want. (The details are just bookkeeping)

Otto Bretscher - 5 years, 8 months ago

I too used digamma. They are the most general way of doing the "products in denominator" problems. BTW, what about n > 5 n>5 or so? Can we have a general answer? Well, that would depend if we can factorize the Faullhaber's formula's polynomial. Can we? Or if one can do it without factorizing? Well, as far as I know, there is not. But still let me confirm.

Kartik Sharma - 5 years, 8 months ago

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@Kartik Sharma Answer = no. Unless you can keep them in digamma forms. Even powers of 4 is not a possibility.

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 8 months ago

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@Pi Han Goh Oh, I see. Thanks! Nice problem!

Kartik Sharma - 5 years, 8 months ago

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@Kartik Sharma Can you post a solution? ahhaha. Possibly a non-English one.

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 8 months ago

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@Pi Han Goh I don't think I can and I don't think I should. Because what I have done is same as Sir Otto has done and he has explained it very well. Rather, I am waiting for your solution(without digamma).

Kartik Sharma - 5 years, 8 months ago

@Pi Han Goh "non-English" solution? ;)

Otto Bretscher - 5 years, 8 months ago

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@Otto Bretscher Basically solutions that are way too hard for most people to understand. See Kartik's solution and my comment here .

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 8 months ago

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@Pi Han Goh Aha, an insider joke!

Otto Bretscher - 5 years, 8 months ago

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