Series Everywhere

Calculus Level 4

Define N \large N as

N = 6 ( 1 + 1 1 + 3 + 1 1 + 3 + 5 + 1 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + . . . ) 2 1 + 1 2 4 + 1 3 4 + 1 4 4 . . . \large N = \huge{ \frac{6\left(1+\frac{1}{1+3}+\frac{1}{1+3+5}+\frac{1}{1+3+5+7}+...\right)^2}{1+\frac{1}{2^4}+\frac{1}{3^4}+\frac{1}{4^4}...} } .

If there exists a positive number E E such that

E = N 2 + N 2 + N 2 + N 2 + N 2 + . . . \large E = \huge { \frac{N}{2+\frac{N}{2+\frac{N}{2+\frac{N}{2+\frac{N}{2+...}}}}}} ,

Find E 2 E^{2} .


The answer is 9.

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1 solution

Efren Medallo
Jun 5, 2015

The value of N N could be simplified as

N = 6 × ( n = 1 1 n 2 ) 2 n = 1 1 n 4 \large N =\huge \frac { 6 \times (\sum _{n=1}^{\infty }\frac{1}{n^2})^{2}}{ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty \:}\frac{1}{n^4} }

N = 6 × ( π 2 6 ) 2 π 4 90 \large N = \huge \frac { 6 \times (\frac {\pi^{2}}{6})^{2} }{ \frac { \pi^{4}}{90}}

Then, by doing the necessary simplifications and cancellations, we get

N = 15 \large N = 15

Then, substituting the value of N N , we get

E = 15 2 + 15 2 + 15 2 + 15 2 + 15 2 + . . . \large E = \huge { \frac{15}{2+\frac{15}{2+\frac{15}{2+\frac{15}{2+\frac{15}{2+...}}}}}}

Since this is a continued fraction, we can simplify this and get

E = 15 2 + E \large E = \huge { \frac {15}{2 + E} }

E ( 2 + E ) = 15 \large E(2+E) = 15

E 2 + 2 E 15 = 0 \large E^{2} + 2E - 15 = 0

( E + 5 ) ( E 3 ) = 0 \large (E+5)(E-3) = 0

since E E has to be positive, we get

E = 3 \boxed { \large E = 3 } ,

and thus

E 2 = 9 \boxed { \large E^{2} = 9 } .

I have to admit I was a bit baffled when I first saw this question , but when I took a second look , it all seemed to fit in .

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Would I take that as a compliment? :) Thanks for answering!

Efren Medallo - 6 years ago

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Yes , of course ! And you are welcome :)

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@A Former Brilliant Member Too bad it's just worth 10 points though :(

Efren Medallo - 6 years ago

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@Efren Medallo Hmm , let me see if a moderator can help change it .

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@A Former Brilliant Member Well, that would be great! Thank you so much!

Efren Medallo - 6 years ago

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