FM June 2025 p11 q01
4115
(a) Use standard results from the list of formulae (MF19) to show that
\(\sum_{r=1}^{n} (2-3r)(5-3r) = an^3 + bn^2 + cn,\)
where \(a, b\) and \(c\) are integers to be determined.
(b) Use the method of differences to find \(\sum_{r=1}^{n} \frac{1}{(2-3r)(5-3r)}\) in terms of \(n\).
(c) Deduce the value of \(\sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{(2-3r)(5-3r)}\).
Solution
(a) Expand \((2-3r)(5-3r) = 9r^2 - 21r + 10\).
Use standard summation formulas: \(\sum r^2 = \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1)\) and \(\sum r = \frac{1}{2}n(n+1)\).
Substitute: \(9\left(\frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1)\right) - 21\left(\frac{1}{2}n(n+1)\right) + 10n\).
Simplify to get \(3n^3 - 6n^2 + n\).
(b) Partial fraction decomposition: \(\frac{1}{(2-3r)(5-3r)} = \frac{1}{3}\left(\frac{1}{2-3r} - \frac{1}{5-3r}\right)\).
Sum: \(\sum_{r=1}^{n} \frac{1}{3}\left(\frac{1}{2-3r} - \frac{1}{5-3r}\right)\).
Telescoping series: \(-\frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{3(2-3n)}\).
(c) As \(n \to \infty\), the term \(\frac{1}{3(2-3n)} \to 0\).
Thus, the sum is \(\frac{1}{6}\).
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