Evaluate
k = 1 ∑ 2 1 9 6 3 k 2 + 3 k ( k + 1 ) + 3 ( k + 1 ) 2 1 .
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The denominator looks like the second factor of the difference of two cubes identity x 3 − y 3 = ( x − y ) ( x 2 + x y + y 2 ) with x = 3 k + 1 and y = 3 k . Indeed, from 3 k + 1 3 − 3 k 3 = ( 3 k + 1 − 3 k ) ( 3 k 2 + 3 k ( k + 1 ) + 3 ( k + 1 ) 2 )
it directly follows that
3 k 2 + 3 k ( k + 1 ) + 3 ( k + 1 ) 2 1 = 3 ( k + 1 ) 3 − 3 k 3 3 k + 1 − 3 k = k + 1 − k 3 k + 1 − 3 k = 3 k + 1 − 3 k .
Thus, this sum telescopes to 3 2 1 9 7 − 3 1 = 1 3 − 1 = 1 2 .