# Sum of power series using only differentiation

Find the sum of $\sum _{n=1}^\infty n (2 n+1) x^{2 n}$ using only differentiation and knowing that $\sum _{n=0}^\infty x^n=\frac{1}{1-x}$

I started like that:

$n^2=n(n-1)+n$

so $\sum _{n=1}^\infty n(2n+1)x^{2n}=\sum _{n=1}^\infty (2n^2+n)x^{2n}=2\sum _{n=?}^\infty n(n-1)x^{2n}+3\sum _{n=?}^\infty nx^{2n}$

but as you can see I don't know at which $n$ does the summing start (that's why I marked it with "?").

Then I would go $x^2=t$

so $2\sum _{n=?}^\infty n(n-1)t^{n}+3\sum _{n=?}^\infty nt^{n} = 2t^2\sum _{n=?}^\infty n(n-1)t^{n-2}+3t\sum _{n=?}^\infty nt^{n-1} = 2t^2(\sum _{n=0?}^\infty t^n)''+3t(\sum _{n=0?}^\infty t^n)'=2t^2(\frac{1}{1-t})''+3t(\frac{1}{1-t})'$

and then it is simple.

But am I right? Can one calculate the sum like that? If no, how to find constant when integrating $\sum _{n=1}^\infty n(2n+1)x^{2n}$?

Because $\int \sum _{n=1}^\infty n(2n+1)x^{2n}dx=\sum _{n=1}^\infty n(2n+1)\frac{x^{2n+1}}{2n+1}+C$ and I don't know how to find the C if I don't know what function does represent our sum.

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From $$\frac{1}{1 - x} = \sum^{\infty}_{n = 0}x^n$$

we make a simple substitution to deduce that:

$$\frac{1}{1 - x^2} = \sum^{\infty}_{n = 0}x^{2n}$$

Multiplying both sides with $x$,

$$\frac{x}{1 - x^2} = \sum^{\infty}_{n = 0}x^{2n + 1}$$

Differentiation both sides with respect to $x$ both times, we have:

$$\frac{d^2}{dx^2}\left(\frac{x}{1 - x^2}\right) = \sum^{\infty}_{n = 0}2n(2n + 1)x^{2n - 1}$$

Multiplying both sides by $\frac{x}{2}$,

$$\frac{x}{2}\frac{d^2}{dx^2}\left(\frac{x}{1 - x^2}\right) = \sum^{\infty}_{n = 0}n(2n + 1)x^{2n}$$

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We have $\displaystyle\sum_{n=0}^\infty x^{2n}=\sum_{n=0}^\infty (x^2)^n=\frac1{1-x^2}$ for $|x^2|<1$

$$\implies \sum_{n=0}^\infty x^{2n+1}=\frac x{1-x^2}$$

$$\implies2\sum_{n=0}^\infty x^{2n+1}=\frac1{1-x}-\frac1{1+x}$$

Differentiating wrt $x$

$$\implies2\sum_{n=0}^\infty (2n+1)x^{2n}=\frac1{(1-x)^2}+\frac1{(1+x)^2}$$

Again differentiate wrt $x$

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Wow, that's so simple. But what about $n$ in this sum? I need to find $\sum _{n=1}^\infty n(2n+1)x^{2n}$. I guess that I'm just stupid, but I need a clue :D –  Mateusz May 27 at 16:19
@Mateusz, Could not understand the Question –  lab bhattacharjee May 27 at 16:21
@Mateusz: Just put in and remove the terms that are lacking. See my "Hint 3" in my answer below. In fact, read my answer completely. –  MPW May 27 at 16:29

Observe that by differentiating $f(x)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^n$ once, you will form $$f'(x)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}nx^{n-1}=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}nx^{n-1}.$$

Now, substituting $x$ by $x^2$ and multiplying by $x^3$ will make exponents $2n+1$ appear, giving $$x^3f'(x^2)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}nx^{2n+1}.$$

Derive once again to get $$(x^3f'(x^2))'=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}n(2n+1)x^{2n}.$$ By chance, both the coefficients and exponents are now as desired.

To manipulate entire series, there are several rules you can use:

1. Differentiate: $f'(x)=\sum na_nx^{n-1}$. Multiplies the terms by the exponents.
2. Integrate: $\int f(x) dx=\sum \frac{a_n}nx^{n+1}$. Divides the terms by the exponents.
3. Raise $x$ to a power: $f(x^p)=\sum a_nx^{pn}$. Scales the exponents.
4. Multiply or divide by a power: $x^{\pm q}f(x)=\sum a_nx^{n\pm q}$. Shifts the exponents.
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This is a homework problem, so I will only give good hints instead of working it outright.

Hint 1: You can write $n(2n+1)x^{2n} = \frac{x}{2}(2n+1)(2n)x^{2n-1}=\frac{x}{2}(x^{2n+1})''$

Hint 2: You can write $\sum_k x^{ak+b} = x^b\sum_k(x^a)^k$

Hint 3: You can move terms into the sum: $\sum_{k=N}^{\infty}c_k=\left(\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}c_k\right) -c_0-c_1-\cdots-c_{N-1}$

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