Math 2211 – Calculus of One Variable II Worksheet 6.

6.1 Power Series and Functions

Learning Objectives
1. Identify a power series and provide examples of them.
2. Determine the radius of convergence and interval of convergence of a power series.
3. Use a power series to represent a function.

Definition: A series of the form

∞

� 𝑐𝑐𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛 = 𝑐𝑐0 + 𝑐𝑐1 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐2 𝑥𝑥 2 + ⋯

𝑛𝑛=0

is a power series centered at 𝒙𝒙 = 𝟎𝟎. A series of the form

∞

� 𝑐𝑐𝑛𝑛 (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎)𝑛𝑛 = 𝑐𝑐0 + 𝑐𝑐1 (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎) + 𝑐𝑐2 (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎)2 + ⋯
𝑛𝑛=0

is a power series centered at 𝒙𝒙 = 𝒂𝒂.

Convergence of a Power Series:

Consider the power series ∑∞ 𝑛𝑛

𝑛𝑛=0 𝑐𝑐𝑛𝑛 (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎) . The series satisfies exactly one of the following properties:

i. The series converges at 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑎𝑎 and diverges for all 𝑥𝑥 ≠ 𝑎𝑎.

ii. The series converges for all real numbers 𝑥𝑥.
iii. There exists a real number 𝑅𝑅 > 0 such that the series converges if |𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎| < 𝑅𝑅 and diverges
if |𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎| > 𝑅𝑅. At the values 𝑥𝑥 where |𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎| = 𝑅𝑅, the series may converge or diverge.

Definition:

Consider the power series ∑∞ 𝑛𝑛

𝑛𝑛=0 𝑐𝑐𝑛𝑛 (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎) . The set of real numbers 𝑥𝑥 where the series converges is the
interval of convergence. If there exists a real number 𝑅𝑅 > 0 such that the series converges for
|𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎| < 𝑅𝑅 and diverges for |𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎| > 𝑅𝑅, then 𝑅𝑅 is the radius of convergence. If the series converges
only at 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑎𝑎, we say that the radius of convergence 𝑹𝑹 = 𝟎𝟎. If the series converges for all real numbers
𝑥𝑥, we say the radius of convergence is 𝑹𝑹 = ∞.

Representing Functions as a Power Series:

∞

1 + 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 + ⋯ = � 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛
2 3

𝑛𝑛=0

The above expression can be considered as a geometric series with common ratio 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥 and the first
1
term 1. If |𝑟𝑟| = |𝑥𝑥| < 1, then the series converges to . In this case, we can express the function
1−𝑥𝑥
1
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = and the function can be expressed as a power series as:
1−𝑥𝑥

1
Math 2211 – Calculus of One Variable II Worksheet 6.1

∞
1
= 1 + 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 3 + ⋯ = � 𝑐𝑐𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛 .
1 − 𝑥𝑥
𝑛𝑛=0

Examples:
1
1. Find a power series representation for 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = about 𝑎𝑎 = 0 and find the interval of
1+𝑥𝑥 2
convergence.

Since,
∞
1
= 1 + 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 3 + ⋯ = � 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛 .
1 − 𝑥𝑥
𝑛𝑛=0

And the series converges when |𝑥𝑥| < 1. Now replace 𝑥𝑥 by −𝑥𝑥 2 gives,
∞
1
= 1 + (−𝑥𝑥 2 ) + (−𝑥𝑥 2 )2 + (−𝑥𝑥 2 )3 + ⋯ = �(−𝑥𝑥 2 )𝑛𝑛 .
1 − (−𝑥𝑥 2 )
𝑛𝑛=0

Or
∞
1
= 1 − 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 4 − 𝑥𝑥 6 + ⋯ = �(−1)𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥 2𝑛𝑛 .
1 + 𝑥𝑥 2
𝑛𝑛=0

The series converges when |−𝑥𝑥 2 | < 1, that is when 𝑥𝑥 2 < 1 or |𝑥𝑥| < 1. Therefore, the interval of
convergence is (-1, 1).
𝑛𝑛(𝑥𝑥+2)𝑛𝑛
2. Find the radius and the interval of convergence of the power series ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=0 .
3𝑛𝑛+1
𝑛𝑛(𝑥𝑥 + 2)𝑛𝑛 (𝑛𝑛 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 + 2)𝑛𝑛+1
𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 = , 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛+1 =
3𝑛𝑛+1 3𝑛𝑛+2

(𝑛𝑛+1)(𝑥𝑥+2)𝑛𝑛+1
𝑎𝑎 3𝑛𝑛+2 𝑛𝑛+1 3𝑛𝑛+1 (𝑥𝑥+2)𝑛𝑛+1 1 1 |𝑥𝑥+2|
� 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛+1 � =� 𝑛𝑛(𝑥𝑥+2)𝑛𝑛 �=� × 3𝑛𝑛+2 × (𝑥𝑥+2)𝑛𝑛
� = ��1 + � × × (𝑥𝑥 + 2)� → as 𝑛𝑛 →∞
𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛 3 3
3𝑛𝑛+1
|𝑥𝑥+2|
Using the Ratio Test, we conclude that the given series converges if < 1 or |𝑥𝑥 + 2| < 3
3
|𝑥𝑥+2|
and diverges if > 1 or |𝑥𝑥 + 2| > 3.
3
Thus, the radius of convergence 𝑅𝑅 = 3.
|𝑥𝑥 + 2| < 3 can be written as −3 < 𝑥𝑥 + 2 < 3 or −5 < 𝑥𝑥 < 1. The series is convergent when
−5 < 𝑥𝑥 < 1. Let us check the convergency at the boundary:
𝑛𝑛(𝑥𝑥+2)𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛(−3)𝑛𝑛 1 ∞
At 𝑥𝑥 = −5, ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=0 = ∑∞ 𝑛𝑛
𝑛𝑛=0 3𝑛𝑛+1 = 3 ∑𝑛𝑛=0(−1) 𝑛𝑛 diverges by divergent test.
3𝑛𝑛+1
𝑛𝑛(𝑥𝑥+2)𝑛𝑛 ∞ 𝑛𝑛(3)
𝑛𝑛 1 ∞
At 𝑥𝑥 = 1, ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=0 3𝑛𝑛+1 = ∑𝑛𝑛=0 3𝑛𝑛+1 = 3 ∑𝑛𝑛=0 𝑛𝑛 diverges using divergent test.
Therefore, (-5, 1) is the interval of convergence.

2
Math 2211 – Calculus of One Variable II Worksheet 6.1

Practice Problems
1. For each of the given power series, find its radius of convergence and its interval of
convergence. [Note: Don’t forget to examine the endpoints, when applicable.]
(2𝑥𝑥)𝑛𝑛 (𝑥𝑥+3)𝑛𝑛
a. ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=1 e. ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=1
𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛5𝑛𝑛
𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛 4 𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥 2𝑛𝑛
b. ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=1 f. ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=0 (2𝑛𝑛+1)!
2𝑛𝑛
2 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛
𝑛𝑛 7𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛
c. ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=1 2𝑛𝑛 g. ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=1 𝑛𝑛5 +1
𝑛𝑛
∑∞ 𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥
d. 𝑛𝑛=1(−1) 𝑛𝑛!

1
2. In the following exercises, given that = ∑∞ 𝑛𝑛
𝑛𝑛=0 𝑥𝑥 with convergence in (-1, 1), find the power
1−𝑥𝑥
series for each function with the given center a, and identify its interval of convergence.
1 1 1 𝑥𝑥 2
a. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ; 𝑎𝑎 = 1 [Hint: = ] d. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 1+𝑥𝑥2 ; 𝑎𝑎 = 0
𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥 1−(1−𝑥𝑥)
1 𝑥𝑥 2
b. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 1+𝑥𝑥; 𝑎𝑎 = 0 e. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 2 +16; 𝑎𝑎 = 0
1 𝑥𝑥−1
c. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 1−2𝑥𝑥; 𝑎𝑎 = 0 f. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ; 𝑎𝑎 = 0
𝑥𝑥+2

3
Math 2211 – Calculus of One Variable II Worksheet 6.1

Answers
1 −1 1
1. (a) 𝑅𝑅 = , 𝐼𝐼 = � , � (b) 𝑅𝑅 = 2, 𝐼𝐼 = (−2, 2) (c) 𝑅𝑅 = 2, 𝐼𝐼 = (−2, 2) (d) ) 𝑅𝑅 = ∞, 𝐼𝐼 =
2 2 2
1 1 1
(−∞, ∞) (e) ) 𝑅𝑅 = 5, 𝐼𝐼 = [−8, 2) (f) ) 𝑅𝑅 = ∞, 𝐼𝐼 = (−∞, ∞) (g) ) 𝑅𝑅 = , 𝐼𝐼 = �− , �
7 7 7
2. (a) 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ∑∞ 𝑛𝑛
𝑛𝑛=0(1 − 𝑥𝑥) on 𝐼𝐼 = (0, 2)
(b) 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ∑∞ 𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛
𝑛𝑛=0(−1) 𝑥𝑥 on 𝐼𝐼 = (−1, 1)
1 1
(c) 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ∑∞ 𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛
𝑛𝑛0 2 𝑥𝑥 on �− 2 , 2�
(d) 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ∑∞ 𝑛𝑛 2𝑛𝑛+2
𝑛𝑛=0(−1) 𝑥𝑥 on 𝐼𝐼 = (−1, 1)
𝑥𝑥 4𝑛𝑛+2
(e) 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ∑∞
𝑛𝑛=0(−1)
𝑛𝑛
on 𝐼𝐼 = (−2, 2)
24𝑛𝑛+4
1 𝑛𝑛
∑∞ 𝑛𝑛 3𝑥𝑥
(f) 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = − − 𝑛𝑛=0(−1) 2𝑛𝑛+1 on 𝐼𝐼 = (−2, 2)
2