Power Series and Functions — Question 8

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Question 8

Find a power series for F(x)=∫0xdt1−t4\displaystyle F(x)=\int_0^x\frac{dt}{1-t^4}. Justify term-by-term integration, then determine the radius and exact interval of convergence of the resulting series.

Original worksheet page 1: question and worked solution for 4-15-008
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Question 8 – Solution

Step 1: Expand the integrand.

For |t|<1|t|<1, 11−t4=∑n=0∞t4n.\frac1{1-t^4}=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}t^{4n}. On every closed subinterval inside (−1,1)(-1,1), this power series converges uniformly, so it may be integrated term by term.

Step 2: Integrate.

F(x)=∑n=0∞∫0xt4ndt=∑n=0∞x4n+14n+1.F(x)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\int_0^x t^{4n}\,dt=\boxed{\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{x^{4n+1}}{4n+1}}.

Step 3: Test the endpoints.

Integration preserves radius R=1R=1. At x=1x=1, the series is ∑1/(4n+1)\sum1/(4n+1), which diverges by Limit Comparison with 1/n1/n. At x=−1x=-1, it is the negative of the same divergent positive series.

Conclusion.

The interval is (−1,1)\boxed{(-1,1)}.

Original worksheet page 2: question and worked solution for 4-15-008

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