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Mathematics 7 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

find the sum of the series

OpenStudy (anonymous):

\[\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)x^n\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

i know what the answer is, i just dont know how they got it

OpenStudy (anonymous):

the answer is \[\frac{ 2x^2 }{ (1-x)^3 }\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

i know we are differentiating...

OpenStudy (anonymous):

yes, i know that much

OpenStudy (anonymous):

and the sum before this one was \[\frac{ x }{ (1-x)^2 }\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

is the deriv, of x x^2? that doesnt seem right

OpenStudy (anonymous):

is is that i need to use the quotient rule when i take the derivative?

OpenStudy (kirbykirby):

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.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok, yes. that is what i got too... where is the x^2 coming in at?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

i kept getting \[\frac{ 2x }{ (1-x)^3 }\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

they say it is 2x^2

OpenStudy (kirbykirby):

\[\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)x^{n-2}=\frac{2}{(1-x)^3}\\ =\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)x^{n}x^{-2}=\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)x^{n}\cdot \frac{1}{x^2}\]

OpenStudy (kirbykirby):

you can multiply both sides by \(x^2\) to bring it to the right side.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

oohhhhhh

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok! i see now!

OpenStudy (anonymous):

thank you

OpenStudy (kirbykirby):

:) your welcome

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