Step 1
In mathematics, a power series (in one variable) is an infinite series of the form
where represents the coefficient of the nth term and c is a constant. Power series are useful in mathematical analysis,
where they arise as Taylor series of infinitely differentiable functions. In fact, Borel's theorem implies that every power
series is the Taylor series of some smooth function.
Step 2
The interval of convergence of the power series and check for convergence at the endpoints
Step 3
A power series is convergent for some values of the variable x, which include always (as usual, evaluates as 1 and the sum of the series is thus for ). The series may diverge for other values of x. If c is not the only point of convergence, then there is always a number r with such that the series converges whenever and diverges whenever The number r is called the radius of convergence of the power series; in general it is given as
or, equivalently,
(this is the Cauchy–Hadamard theorem; for an explanation of the notation). The relation
is also satisfied, if this limit exists.
Step 4