Power Series

4.1 What is Power Series? Examples

A series is the sum of all the terms in a

1.)
sequence which is a set of numbers in

particular order. 1 1 1 1 2 1 3
= + + + +
2+2 4 8 16 32
=0
For example:

2 = 2(0) + 2(1) + 2(2) + 2(3) + 2(4)

Starting with 0, we substitute this to the
1
=0 equation 2+2 :

There is a rule for each term of the series, to 1 1

0 =
multiply the index by 2, starting from 0 to 4. 20+2 4

Substituting 1 to n:
A Power Series is similar but this time, it is a 1 1
polynomial with infinitely many terms. A 1 =
21+2 8
polynomial can have: Constants (4, -10, ),
Substituting 2 to n:
Variables (x, y), and Exponents (2 in y2).
1 1
2 = 2
Power Series has the general form of 22+2 16

Substituting 3 to n:

( ) = + ( ) + ( )
1 1
= 3 = 3

+ ( ) . . . 23+2 32

If a=0, then: And so on or we just simply add since

the series goes on from 0 up to infinity ().
() = + () + () + () . . .
=

2.)

1 2 4 6
(1) 2 = 1 + +
(2)! 2! 4! 6!
=0
 Substituting 0 to n:
1 There are different techniques in Power
(1)0 ( 2(0) ) = 1
(2(0))!
Series to help us represent a function as a
Substituting 1: power series. Given a function f(x), we will
try to find a power series = ( )

1 2
(1)1 2(1) = such that f(x)=
= ( ) . The
(2(1))! 2!
techniques involved are substitution,
And so on. differentiation and integration. These will be
discussed further in the following sub topics.

Power Series Table

Exercise Problems

The Power Series table is provided below for

1.)
the discussions to be followed. Here are
( 1)
some functions and its equivalent power
!
series. =0

3 5 7
+ + 2.)
3! 5! 7!

( + 2)
2 4 6 (1)
+ + !
2! 4! 6! =0

3 2 5 17 7
+ + + +
3 15 315 ANSWERS:
1 3 2 5 (1)2 (1)3
1.) 1 + ( 1) + + +
3 45 945 2! 3!
(+2)2 (+2)3
2.) 1 ( + 2) + +
2 5 4 61 6 2! 3!
1+ + + +
2 24 720
3 3 5 5 7
1 + + + +
6 40 112
3 3 5
1
2 6 40
3 5 7
1 + +
3 5 7
2 3
1++ + +
2! 3!
2 3
ln(1 + ) + +
2 3