find the sum of the series
\[\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)x^n\]
i know what the answer is, i just dont know how they got it
the answer is \[\frac{ 2x^2 }{ (1-x)^3 }\]
i know we are differentiating...
yes, i know that much
and the sum before this one was \[\frac{ x }{ (1-x)^2 }\]
is the deriv, of x x^2? that doesnt seem right
is is that i need to use the quotient rule when i take the derivative?
Ok so notice that \[\frac{d}{dx}x^n=nx^{n-1}\]\[\frac{d}{dx}nx^n=n(n-1)x^{n-2}\] \[\frac{d}{dx}\frac{1}{1-x}=\frac{1}{(1-x)^2}\]\[\frac{d}{dx}\frac{1}{(1-x)^2}=\frac{2}{(1-x)^3}\] Then you just need a bit to manipulate the sum a little.
ok, yes. that is what i got too... where is the x^2 coming in at?
i kept getting \[\frac{ 2x }{ (1-x)^3 }\]
they say it is 2x^2
\[\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)x^{n-2}=\frac{2}{(1-x)^3}\\ =\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)x^{n}x^{-2}=\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)x^{n}\cdot \frac{1}{x^2}\]
you can multiply both sides by \(x^2\) to bring it to the right side.
oohhhhhh
ok! i see now!
thank you
:) your welcome
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