Math Problem Statement

find a formula for the nth partial sum then find the sum if it converges

Find a formula for the nth partial sum and determine the sum if it converges for the series: \( \frac{6}{1 \cdot 2} + \frac{6}{2 \cdot 3} + \frac{6}{3 \cdot 4} + \dots \)

Solution

To solve this problem, let us first determine the general formula for the series and then analyze the convergence.

Step 1: General Term Simplification

The given series is:

612+623+634++6n(n+1)+\frac{6}{1 \cdot 2} + \frac{6}{2 \cdot 3} + \frac{6}{3 \cdot 4} + \dots + \frac{6}{n(n+1)} + \dots

The general term of the series is:

an=6n(n+1)a_n = \frac{6}{n(n+1)}

We can simplify this term using partial fractions:

6n(n+1)=An+Bn+1\frac{6}{n(n+1)} = \frac{A}{n} + \frac{B}{n+1}

Solving for AA and BB, we get:

6=A(n+1)+Bn6 = A(n+1) + Bn

By equating coefficients:

  • A+B=0A + B = 0
  • A=6A = 6

Thus: A=6,B=6A = 6, \, B = -6

So: 6n(n+1)=6n6n+1\frac{6}{n(n+1)} = \frac{6}{n} - \frac{6}{n+1}

Step 2: Partial Sum Formula

The partial sum SnS_n up to the nn-th term is:

Sn=k=1n(6k6k+1)S_n = \sum_{k=1}^n \left( \frac{6}{k} - \frac{6}{k+1} \right)

This is a telescoping series. Writing out the terms:

Sn=(6162)+(6263)++(6n6n+1)S_n = \left(\frac{6}{1} - \frac{6}{2}\right) + \left(\frac{6}{2} - \frac{6}{3}\right) + \dots + \left(\frac{6}{n} - \frac{6}{n+1}\right)

Most terms cancel, leaving:

Sn=66n+1S_n = 6 - \frac{6}{n+1}

Step 3: Convergence of the Series

To find the sum of the infinite series, we take the limit as nn \to \infty:

limnSn=limn(66n+1)=60=6\lim_{n \to \infty} S_n = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(6 - \frac{6}{n+1}\right) = 6 - 0 = 6

Final Answer

  • The formula for the nn-th partial sum is:

Sn=66n+1S_n = 6 - \frac{6}{n+1}

  • The sum of the series, if it converges, is:

Sum=6\text{Sum} = 6


Would you like further clarification on this, or do you have additional questions? Here are some related queries to consider:

  1. How does the partial fraction decomposition work in other contexts?
  2. What is the significance of a telescoping series in calculus?
  3. Can we derive the convergence using a different approach (e.g., integral test)?
  4. What other types of series converge to finite sums?
  5. How do we verify if a series diverges?

Tip: Telescoping series are an excellent way to simplify complex expressions quickly by leveraging cancellation.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Series and Sequences
Partial Fractions
Telescoping Series
Limits

Formulas

General Term: \( a_n = \frac{6}{n(n+1)} \)
Partial Fraction Decomposition: \( \frac{6}{n(n+1)} = \frac{6}{n} - \frac{6}{n+1} \)
Partial Sum Formula: \( S_n = 6 - \frac{6}{n+1} \)
Limit of a Series: \( \lim_{n \to \infty} S_n = 6 \)

Theorems

Limit Theorem for Series
Properties of Telescoping Series

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Mathematics or Advanced High School (Grades 11-12)