Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 3h 16m
- 11. Integrals of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 34m
- 12. Techniques of Integration7h 39m
- 13. Intro to Differential Equations2h 55m
- 14. Sequences & Series5h 36m
- 15. Power Series2h 19m
- 16. Parametric Equations & Polar Coordinates7h 58m
15. Power Series
Introduction to Power Series
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Find the power series representation centered at of the following function. Give the interval of convergence for the resulting series.
A
∑n=0∞x3n; converges on (-∞,∞)
B
; converges on (-1,1)
C
; converges on (-1,1)
D
; diverges everywhere

1
Step 1: Recognize that the given function f(x) = 1 / (1 - x^3) resembles the geometric series formula, which is 1 / (1 - r) = ∑_{n=0}^{∞} r^n, valid for |r| < 1. Here, r = x^3.
Step 2: Rewrite the function as a geometric series using the formula. Substitute r = x^3 into the series expansion: f(x) = ∑_{n=0}^{∞} (x^3)^n = ∑_{n=0}^{∞} x^{3n}.
Step 3: Determine the interval of convergence for the series. The geometric series converges when |r| < 1. Since r = x^3, we require |x^3| < 1, which simplifies to |x| < 1.
Step 4: Conclude that the series representation of f(x) is ∑_{n=0}^{∞} x^{3n}, and the interval of convergence is (-1, 1).
Step 5: Verify the endpoints of the interval of convergence. At x = -1 and x = 1, the series ∑_{n=0}^{∞} x^{3n} does not converge because the terms do not approach zero. Therefore, the series converges only within (-1, 1).
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