Summation of $frac{cos n theta}{2^n}$












3












$begingroup$


I would like to compute the following sum:



$$sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta}{2^n}$$



I know that it involves using complex numbers, although I'm not sure how exactly I'm supposed to do so. I tried using the fact that $cos theta = {e^{itheta} + e^{-itheta}over 2}$. I'm not sure how to proceed from there though. A hint would be appreciated.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$

















    3












    $begingroup$


    I would like to compute the following sum:



    $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta}{2^n}$$



    I know that it involves using complex numbers, although I'm not sure how exactly I'm supposed to do so. I tried using the fact that $cos theta = {e^{itheta} + e^{-itheta}over 2}$. I'm not sure how to proceed from there though. A hint would be appreciated.










    share|cite|improve this question











    $endgroup$















      3












      3








      3


      1



      $begingroup$


      I would like to compute the following sum:



      $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta}{2^n}$$



      I know that it involves using complex numbers, although I'm not sure how exactly I'm supposed to do so. I tried using the fact that $cos theta = {e^{itheta} + e^{-itheta}over 2}$. I'm not sure how to proceed from there though. A hint would be appreciated.










      share|cite|improve this question











      $endgroup$




      I would like to compute the following sum:



      $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta}{2^n}$$



      I know that it involves using complex numbers, although I'm not sure how exactly I'm supposed to do so. I tried using the fact that $cos theta = {e^{itheta} + e^{-itheta}over 2}$. I'm not sure how to proceed from there though. A hint would be appreciated.







      complex-numbers summation






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      share|cite|improve this question













      share|cite|improve this question




      share|cite|improve this question








      edited Nov 16 '15 at 7:26









      Mike Pierce

      11.7k103585




      11.7k103585










      asked Nov 16 '15 at 7:25









      Gummy bearsGummy bears

      1,89311532




      1,89311532






















          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          3












          $begingroup$

          Consider the series
          $$S=sum_{n=0}^{infty}left(frac{e^{itheta}}{2}right)^n.$$
          This is a geometric series whose sum is
          $$S=frac{2}{2-e^{itheta}}.$$
          Now the real part of $S$ is the sum you are looking for.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Aha...... So I replace $e^{itheta}$ with $cos theta + isin theta$ and find the real part?
            $endgroup$
            – Gummy bears
            Nov 16 '15 at 7:38



















          0












          $begingroup$

          If you are only looking for a hint, write your sum as $$sum_{n=0}^inftyfrac{e^{intheta}+e^{-intheta}}{2cdot2^n}$$ Break it up as two sums, each of which are geometric, so you can use the geometric series formula.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Crap.... How did I miss that..... -_- Thanks though.
            $endgroup$
            – Gummy bears
            Nov 16 '15 at 7:37










          • $begingroup$
            Anurag's solution is better, once you get used to thinking of $cos(theta)$ as first and foremost the real part of $e^{itheta}$. This answer goes the opposite way, thinking of $cos(theta)$ as being built out of $e^{itheta}$ instead of the other way round.
            $endgroup$
            – alex.jordan
            Nov 16 '15 at 7:45



















          0












          $begingroup$

          I know I'm late but there's a slightly different solution I want to present that doesn't involve any exponentiation.



          We can write the summation as the real part of



          $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta + isin mtheta}{2^n}$$



          Using De Moivre's theorem:



          $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} left(frac{cos theta + isin theta}{2}right)^n$$



          We can then calculate the real portion of the infinite sum.



          begin{align*}
          operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{1-r}right)
          &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{frac{2-(cos theta + isin theta)}{2}}right) \
          &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2}{(2-costheta) - isintheta}right) \
          &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2((2-costheta) + isintheta)}{4-4costheta+1}right) \
          &= frac{4-2costheta}{4-4costheta+1}
          end{align*}



          Hope this helps!






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$





















            -1












            $begingroup$

            begin{align*}
            sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta}{2^n}
            &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{e^{i n theta} + e^{- i n theta}}{2^{n+1}} \
            &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n + (e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
            &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} + sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
            &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{i theta}}{2}right)^n
            + sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{-i theta}}{2}right)^n .
            end{align*}



            These last two sums are geometric series. Can you finish it?






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$














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              4 Answers
              4






              active

              oldest

              votes








              4 Answers
              4






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              3












              $begingroup$

              Consider the series
              $$S=sum_{n=0}^{infty}left(frac{e^{itheta}}{2}right)^n.$$
              This is a geometric series whose sum is
              $$S=frac{2}{2-e^{itheta}}.$$
              Now the real part of $S$ is the sum you are looking for.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$









              • 1




                $begingroup$
                Aha...... So I replace $e^{itheta}$ with $cos theta + isin theta$ and find the real part?
                $endgroup$
                – Gummy bears
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:38
















              3












              $begingroup$

              Consider the series
              $$S=sum_{n=0}^{infty}left(frac{e^{itheta}}{2}right)^n.$$
              This is a geometric series whose sum is
              $$S=frac{2}{2-e^{itheta}}.$$
              Now the real part of $S$ is the sum you are looking for.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$









              • 1




                $begingroup$
                Aha...... So I replace $e^{itheta}$ with $cos theta + isin theta$ and find the real part?
                $endgroup$
                – Gummy bears
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:38














              3












              3








              3





              $begingroup$

              Consider the series
              $$S=sum_{n=0}^{infty}left(frac{e^{itheta}}{2}right)^n.$$
              This is a geometric series whose sum is
              $$S=frac{2}{2-e^{itheta}}.$$
              Now the real part of $S$ is the sum you are looking for.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$



              Consider the series
              $$S=sum_{n=0}^{infty}left(frac{e^{itheta}}{2}right)^n.$$
              This is a geometric series whose sum is
              $$S=frac{2}{2-e^{itheta}}.$$
              Now the real part of $S$ is the sum you are looking for.







              share|cite|improve this answer












              share|cite|improve this answer



              share|cite|improve this answer










              answered Nov 16 '15 at 7:30









              Anurag AAnurag A

              26.4k12351




              26.4k12351








              • 1




                $begingroup$
                Aha...... So I replace $e^{itheta}$ with $cos theta + isin theta$ and find the real part?
                $endgroup$
                – Gummy bears
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:38














              • 1




                $begingroup$
                Aha...... So I replace $e^{itheta}$ with $cos theta + isin theta$ and find the real part?
                $endgroup$
                – Gummy bears
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:38








              1




              1




              $begingroup$
              Aha...... So I replace $e^{itheta}$ with $cos theta + isin theta$ and find the real part?
              $endgroup$
              – Gummy bears
              Nov 16 '15 at 7:38




              $begingroup$
              Aha...... So I replace $e^{itheta}$ with $cos theta + isin theta$ and find the real part?
              $endgroup$
              – Gummy bears
              Nov 16 '15 at 7:38











              0












              $begingroup$

              If you are only looking for a hint, write your sum as $$sum_{n=0}^inftyfrac{e^{intheta}+e^{-intheta}}{2cdot2^n}$$ Break it up as two sums, each of which are geometric, so you can use the geometric series formula.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$













              • $begingroup$
                Crap.... How did I miss that..... -_- Thanks though.
                $endgroup$
                – Gummy bears
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:37










              • $begingroup$
                Anurag's solution is better, once you get used to thinking of $cos(theta)$ as first and foremost the real part of $e^{itheta}$. This answer goes the opposite way, thinking of $cos(theta)$ as being built out of $e^{itheta}$ instead of the other way round.
                $endgroup$
                – alex.jordan
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:45
















              0












              $begingroup$

              If you are only looking for a hint, write your sum as $$sum_{n=0}^inftyfrac{e^{intheta}+e^{-intheta}}{2cdot2^n}$$ Break it up as two sums, each of which are geometric, so you can use the geometric series formula.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$













              • $begingroup$
                Crap.... How did I miss that..... -_- Thanks though.
                $endgroup$
                – Gummy bears
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:37










              • $begingroup$
                Anurag's solution is better, once you get used to thinking of $cos(theta)$ as first and foremost the real part of $e^{itheta}$. This answer goes the opposite way, thinking of $cos(theta)$ as being built out of $e^{itheta}$ instead of the other way round.
                $endgroup$
                – alex.jordan
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:45














              0












              0








              0





              $begingroup$

              If you are only looking for a hint, write your sum as $$sum_{n=0}^inftyfrac{e^{intheta}+e^{-intheta}}{2cdot2^n}$$ Break it up as two sums, each of which are geometric, so you can use the geometric series formula.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$



              If you are only looking for a hint, write your sum as $$sum_{n=0}^inftyfrac{e^{intheta}+e^{-intheta}}{2cdot2^n}$$ Break it up as two sums, each of which are geometric, so you can use the geometric series formula.







              share|cite|improve this answer












              share|cite|improve this answer



              share|cite|improve this answer










              answered Nov 16 '15 at 7:30









              alex.jordanalex.jordan

              39.7k660122




              39.7k660122












              • $begingroup$
                Crap.... How did I miss that..... -_- Thanks though.
                $endgroup$
                – Gummy bears
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:37










              • $begingroup$
                Anurag's solution is better, once you get used to thinking of $cos(theta)$ as first and foremost the real part of $e^{itheta}$. This answer goes the opposite way, thinking of $cos(theta)$ as being built out of $e^{itheta}$ instead of the other way round.
                $endgroup$
                – alex.jordan
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:45


















              • $begingroup$
                Crap.... How did I miss that..... -_- Thanks though.
                $endgroup$
                – Gummy bears
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:37










              • $begingroup$
                Anurag's solution is better, once you get used to thinking of $cos(theta)$ as first and foremost the real part of $e^{itheta}$. This answer goes the opposite way, thinking of $cos(theta)$ as being built out of $e^{itheta}$ instead of the other way round.
                $endgroup$
                – alex.jordan
                Nov 16 '15 at 7:45
















              $begingroup$
              Crap.... How did I miss that..... -_- Thanks though.
              $endgroup$
              – Gummy bears
              Nov 16 '15 at 7:37




              $begingroup$
              Crap.... How did I miss that..... -_- Thanks though.
              $endgroup$
              – Gummy bears
              Nov 16 '15 at 7:37












              $begingroup$
              Anurag's solution is better, once you get used to thinking of $cos(theta)$ as first and foremost the real part of $e^{itheta}$. This answer goes the opposite way, thinking of $cos(theta)$ as being built out of $e^{itheta}$ instead of the other way round.
              $endgroup$
              – alex.jordan
              Nov 16 '15 at 7:45




              $begingroup$
              Anurag's solution is better, once you get used to thinking of $cos(theta)$ as first and foremost the real part of $e^{itheta}$. This answer goes the opposite way, thinking of $cos(theta)$ as being built out of $e^{itheta}$ instead of the other way round.
              $endgroup$
              – alex.jordan
              Nov 16 '15 at 7:45











              0












              $begingroup$

              I know I'm late but there's a slightly different solution I want to present that doesn't involve any exponentiation.



              We can write the summation as the real part of



              $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta + isin mtheta}{2^n}$$



              Using De Moivre's theorem:



              $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} left(frac{cos theta + isin theta}{2}right)^n$$



              We can then calculate the real portion of the infinite sum.



              begin{align*}
              operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{1-r}right)
              &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{frac{2-(cos theta + isin theta)}{2}}right) \
              &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2}{(2-costheta) - isintheta}right) \
              &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2((2-costheta) + isintheta)}{4-4costheta+1}right) \
              &= frac{4-2costheta}{4-4costheta+1}
              end{align*}



              Hope this helps!






              share|cite|improve this answer











              $endgroup$


















                0












                $begingroup$

                I know I'm late but there's a slightly different solution I want to present that doesn't involve any exponentiation.



                We can write the summation as the real part of



                $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta + isin mtheta}{2^n}$$



                Using De Moivre's theorem:



                $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} left(frac{cos theta + isin theta}{2}right)^n$$



                We can then calculate the real portion of the infinite sum.



                begin{align*}
                operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{1-r}right)
                &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{frac{2-(cos theta + isin theta)}{2}}right) \
                &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2}{(2-costheta) - isintheta}right) \
                &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2((2-costheta) + isintheta)}{4-4costheta+1}right) \
                &= frac{4-2costheta}{4-4costheta+1}
                end{align*}



                Hope this helps!






                share|cite|improve this answer











                $endgroup$
















                  0












                  0








                  0





                  $begingroup$

                  I know I'm late but there's a slightly different solution I want to present that doesn't involve any exponentiation.



                  We can write the summation as the real part of



                  $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta + isin mtheta}{2^n}$$



                  Using De Moivre's theorem:



                  $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} left(frac{cos theta + isin theta}{2}right)^n$$



                  We can then calculate the real portion of the infinite sum.



                  begin{align*}
                  operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{1-r}right)
                  &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{frac{2-(cos theta + isin theta)}{2}}right) \
                  &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2}{(2-costheta) - isintheta}right) \
                  &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2((2-costheta) + isintheta)}{4-4costheta+1}right) \
                  &= frac{4-2costheta}{4-4costheta+1}
                  end{align*}



                  Hope this helps!






                  share|cite|improve this answer











                  $endgroup$



                  I know I'm late but there's a slightly different solution I want to present that doesn't involve any exponentiation.



                  We can write the summation as the real part of



                  $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta + isin mtheta}{2^n}$$



                  Using De Moivre's theorem:



                  $$sum_{n=0}^{infty} left(frac{cos theta + isin theta}{2}right)^n$$



                  We can then calculate the real portion of the infinite sum.



                  begin{align*}
                  operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{1-r}right)
                  &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{1}{frac{2-(cos theta + isin theta)}{2}}right) \
                  &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2}{(2-costheta) - isintheta}right) \
                  &= operatorname{Re}left(frac{2((2-costheta) + isintheta)}{4-4costheta+1}right) \
                  &= frac{4-2costheta}{4-4costheta+1}
                  end{align*}



                  Hope this helps!







                  share|cite|improve this answer














                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer








                  edited Feb 3 at 1:02









                  Hanul Jeon

                  17.7k42881




                  17.7k42881










                  answered Feb 3 at 0:48









                  QiLin XueQiLin Xue

                  11




                  11























                      -1












                      $begingroup$

                      begin{align*}
                      sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta}{2^n}
                      &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{e^{i n theta} + e^{- i n theta}}{2^{n+1}} \
                      &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n + (e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
                      &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} + sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
                      &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{i theta}}{2}right)^n
                      + sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{-i theta}}{2}right)^n .
                      end{align*}



                      These last two sums are geometric series. Can you finish it?






                      share|cite|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$


















                        -1












                        $begingroup$

                        begin{align*}
                        sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta}{2^n}
                        &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{e^{i n theta} + e^{- i n theta}}{2^{n+1}} \
                        &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n + (e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
                        &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} + sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
                        &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{i theta}}{2}right)^n
                        + sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{-i theta}}{2}right)^n .
                        end{align*}



                        These last two sums are geometric series. Can you finish it?






                        share|cite|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$
















                          -1












                          -1








                          -1





                          $begingroup$

                          begin{align*}
                          sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta}{2^n}
                          &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{e^{i n theta} + e^{- i n theta}}{2^{n+1}} \
                          &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n + (e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
                          &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} + sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
                          &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{i theta}}{2}right)^n
                          + sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{-i theta}}{2}right)^n .
                          end{align*}



                          These last two sums are geometric series. Can you finish it?






                          share|cite|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$



                          begin{align*}
                          sum_{n=0}^{infty} frac{cos ntheta}{2^n}
                          &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{e^{i n theta} + e^{- i n theta}}{2^{n+1}} \
                          &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n + (e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
                          &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} + sum_{n=0}^infty frac{(e^{- i theta})^n}{2^{n+1}} \
                          &= sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{i theta}}{2}right)^n
                          + sum_{n=0}^infty frac12 left(frac{e^{-i theta}}{2}right)^n .
                          end{align*}



                          These last two sums are geometric series. Can you finish it?







                          share|cite|improve this answer












                          share|cite|improve this answer



                          share|cite|improve this answer










                          answered Nov 16 '15 at 7:34









                          60056005

                          37.1k752127




                          37.1k752127






























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