<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

We examine products of power series in a later theorem. First, we show several applications of [link] and how to find the interval of convergence of a power series given the interval of convergence of a related power series.

Combining power series

Suppose that n = 0 a n x n is a power series whose interval of convergence is ( −1 , 1 ) , and suppose that n = 0 b n x n is a power series whose interval of convergence is ( −2 , 2 ) .

  1. Find the interval of convergence of the series n = 0 ( a n x n + b n x n ) .
  2. Find the interval of convergence of the series n = 0 a n 3 n x n .
  1. Since the interval ( −1 , 1 ) is a common interval of convergence of the series n = 0 a n x n and n = 0 b n x n , the interval of convergence of the series n = 0 ( a n x n + b n x n ) is ( −1 , 1 ) .
  2. Since n = 0 a n x n is a power series centered at zero with radius of convergence 1, it converges for all x in the interval ( −1 , 1 ) . By [link] , the series
    n = 0 a n 3 n x n = n = 0 a n ( 3 x ) n

    converges if 3 x is in the interval ( −1 , 1 ) . Therefore, the series converges for all x in the interval ( 1 3 , 1 3 ) .
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Suppose that n = 0 a n x n has an interval of convergence of ( −1 , 1 ) . Find the interval of convergence of n = 0 a n ( x 2 ) n .

Interval of convergence is ( −2 , 2 ) .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

In the next example, we show how to use [link] and the power series for a function f to construct power series for functions related to f . Specifically, we consider functions related to the function f ( x ) = 1 1 x and we use the fact that

1 1 x = n = 0 x n = 1 + x + x 2 + x 3 +

for | x | < 1 .

Constructing power series from known power series

Use the power series representation for f ( x ) = 1 1 x combined with [link] to construct a power series for each of the following functions. Find the interval of convergence of the power series.

  1. f ( x ) = 3 x 1 + x 2
  2. f ( x ) = 1 ( x 1 ) ( x 3 )
  1. First write f ( x ) as
    f ( x ) = 3 x ( 1 1 ( x 2 ) ) .

    Using the power series representation for f ( x ) = 1 1 x and parts ii. and iii. of [link] , we find that a power series representation for f is given by
    n = 0 3 x ( x 2 ) n = n = 0 3 ( −1 ) n x 2 n + 1 .

    Since the interval of convergence of the series for 1 1 x is ( −1 , 1 ) , the interval of convergence for this new series is the set of real numbers x such that | x 2 | < 1 . Therefore, the interval of convergence is ( −1 , 1 ) .
  2. To find the power series representation, use partial fractions to write f ( x ) = 1 ( 1 x ) ( x 3 ) as the sum of two fractions. We have
    1 ( x 1 ) ( x 3 ) = 1 / 2 x 1 + 1 / 2 x 3 = 1 / 2 1 x 1 / 2 3 x = 1 / 2 1 x 1 / 6 1 x 3 .

    First, using part ii. of [link] , we obtain
    1 / 2 1 x = n = 0 1 2 x n for | x | < 1 .

    Then, using parts ii. and iii. of [link] , we have
    1 / 6 1 x / 3 = n = 0 1 6 ( x 3 ) n for | x | < 3 .

    Since we are combining these two power series, the interval of convergence of the difference must be the smaller of these two intervals. Using this fact and part i. of [link] , we have
    1 ( x 1 ) ( x 3 ) = n = 0 ( 1 2 1 6 · 3 n ) x n

    where the interval of convergence is ( −1 , 1 ) .
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Use the series for f ( x ) = 1 1 x on | x | < 1 to construct a series for 1 ( 1 x ) ( x 2 ) . Determine the interval of convergence.

n = 0 ( −1 + 1 2 n + 1 ) x n . The interval of convergence is ( −1 , 1 ) .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

In [link] , we showed how to find power series for certain functions. In [link] we show how to do the opposite: given a power series, determine which function it represents.

Finding the function represented by a given power series

Consider the power series n = 0 2 n x n . Find the function f represented by this series. Determine the interval of convergence of the series.

Writing the given series as

n = 0 2 n x n = n = 0 ( 2 x ) n ,

we can recognize this series as the power series for

f ( x ) = 1 1 2 x .

Since this is a geometric series, the series converges if and only if | 2 x | < 1 . Therefore, the interval of convergence is ( 1 2 , 1 2 ) .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Practice Key Terms 2

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Calculus volume 2. OpenStax CNX. Feb 05, 2016 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11965/1.2
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Calculus volume 2' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask
Joanna Smithback
Start Quiz
Saylor Foundation
Start Quiz
Mike Wolf
Start Exam
Hannah Sheth
Start Quiz
Yasser Ibrahim
Start Quiz