Discrete Math-Computing Summations. So I'm asked to compute a summation with an upper limit k=20 and lower limit k=1, where: B_k=0 when k=1, and B_k=1/(k^2-1), for k>1.

Lorena Lester

Lorena Lester

Answered question

2022-07-16

Discrete Math-Computing Summations
So I'm asked to compute a summation with an upper limit k = 20 and lower limit k = 1, where:
B k = 0 when k = 1, and B k = 1 ( k 2 1 ) , for k > 1.

Answer & Explanation

phinny5608tt

phinny5608tt

Beginner2022-07-17Added 17 answers

Step 1
2 S = 2 B 2 + 2 B 3 + + 2 B 20
Step 2
2 B k = 2 k 2 1 = 1 k 1 1 k + 1 = ( 1 k 1 1 k ) + ( 1 k 1 k + 1 )
Alexandra Richardson

Alexandra Richardson

Beginner2022-07-18Added 1 answers

Step 1
I suggest that you start adding these twenty terms, and if you do so, you might notice a pattern. Unless it's too much work of course.
B 2 = 1 / 3, B 3 = 1 / 8, B 4 = 1 / 15, B 5 = 1 / 24, B 6 = 1 / 35, B 7 = 1 / 48, B 8 = 1 / 63, B 9 = 1 / 80, B 1 0 = 1 / 99, B 1 1 = 1 / 120, ... It looks easier to add every second term.
1 / 3 + 1 / 15 = 6 / 15 = 2 / 5
2 / 5 + 1 / 35 = 14 / 35 + 1 / 35 = 15 / 35 = 3 / 7
3 / 7 + 1 / 63 = 27 / 63 + 1 / 63 = 28 / 63 = 4 / 9
4 / 9 + 1 / 99 = 44 / 99 + 1 / 99 = 45 / 99 = 5 / 11
hope you see the pattern.
Step 2
1 / 8 + 1 / 24 = 3 / 24 + 1 / 24 = 4 / 24 = 1 / 6 ( = 2 / 12 )
1 / 6 + 1 / 48 = 8 / 48 + 1 / 48 = 9 / 48 = 3 / 16
3 / 16 + 1 / 80 = 15 / 80 + 1 / 80 = 16 / 80 = 1 / 5 ( = 4 / 20 )
1 / 5 + 1 / 120 = 24 / 120 + 1 / 120 = 25 / 120 = 5 / 24
I hope you see that pattern as well. So now you should be able to write down a formula and prove it using complete induction.

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