Power Series — Question 7

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Question 7

Find the center, radius, and interval of convergence of ∑n=0∞(x−2)n/5n\displaystyle\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(x-2)^n/5^n. Verify the behavior at both physical endpoints.

Original worksheet page 1: question and worked solution for 4-14-007
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Question 7 – Solution

Step 1: Read the geometric structure.

∑n=0∞(x−25)n\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\left(\frac{x-2}{5}\right)^n has center c=2c=2 and converges when |x−25|<1⇔|x−2|<5⇔−3<x<7.\left|\frac{x-2}{5}\right|<1\iff |x-2|<5\iff -3<x<7. Thus R=5R=5.

Step 2: Test the endpoints.
  • At x=7x=7, the series is ∑1\sum1, which diverges.

  • At x=−3x=-3, the series is ∑(−1)n\sum(-1)^n, which also diverges because its terms do not tend to zero.

Conclusion.

The interval is (−3,7)\boxed{(-3,7)}, symmetric about the center 22.

Original worksheet page 2: question and worked solution for 4-14-007

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