Show that for k running over positive integers \sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{k^2}{2^k}=6

Shamar Padilla

Shamar Padilla

Answered question

2022-01-24

Show that for k running over positive integers
k=1k22k=6

Answer & Explanation

nick1337

nick1337

Expert2022-01-27Added 777 answers

Alternative way of solving this problem. Using some basic calculus of the power series. Starting from k1k2(12)k, consider a power series k1k2xk=xk1k2xk1 which converges uniformly whenever |x|<1. We get our sum by standard differentiation and integration of the power series. You can integrate k1k2xk1 term by term so k10xk2tk1dt=k0kxk. Again, k0kxk=1+xk1kxk1, by integrating term by term k10xktk1dt=k0xk=11x. Now, we must take the derivative so (11x)=1(1x)2 so1+xk1kxk1=1+x(1x)2Taking again the derivative (1+x(1x)2)=1+x(1x)3 sok1k2xk=x(1+x)(1x)3Finally, by putting x=12 we get that k1k2(12)k=6
star233

star233

Skilled2022-01-27Added 403 answers

Consider the series k=0xk2k=11x/2 Take a derivative k=0kxk12k=1/2(1x/2)2 (1) Take another derivative k=0k(k1)xk22k=1/2(1x/2)3 (2) Adding (1) and (2) at x=1, we get k=0k22k=6
RizerMix

RizerMix

Expert2022-01-27Added 656 answers

For convenience, we denote ak=k2+2k+32k1, k=1,2,... Then k22k=akak+1 Thus k=1nk22k=(a1a2)+(a2a3)+...+(anan+1)=a1 =6(n+1)2+2(n+1)+32n =6n2+4n+62n It follows that k=1k22k=limnk=1nk22k =limn(6n2+4n+62n =60 =6

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