FM November 2022 p11 q03
4248
(a) By considering \((2r+1)^3 - (2r-1)^3\), use the method of differences to prove that \(\sum_{r=1}^{n} r^2 = \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1)\).
Let \(S_n = 1^2 + 3 \times 2^2 + 3^2 + 3 \times 4^2 + 5^2 + 3 \times 6^2 + \ldots + \left(2 + (-1)^n\right)n^2\).
(b) Show that \(S_{2n} = \frac{1}{3}n(2n+1)(an+b)\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are integers to be determined.
(c) State the value of \(\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{S_{2n}}{n^3}\).
Solution
(a) Expand \((2r+1)^3 - (2r-1)^3\):
\(8r^3 + 12r^2 + 6r + 1 - (8r^3 - 12r^2 + 6r - 1) = 24r^2 + 2\).
Sum both sides and use the method of differences:
\(24 \sum_{r=1}^{n} r^2 + 2n = (2n+1)^3 - 1\).
\(24 \sum_{r=1}^{n} r^2 = 8n^3 + 12n^2 + 4n = 4n(n+1)(2n+1)\).
Thus, \(\sum_{r=1}^{n} r^2 = \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1)\).
(b) Express \(S_{2n}\) in terms of sums:
\(S_{2n} = \sum_{r=1}^{2n} r^2 + 2 \sum_{r=1}^{n} (2r)^2 = \sum_{r=1}^{2n} r^2 + 8 \sum_{r=1}^{n} r^2\).
Apply \(\sum_{r=1}^{n} r^2 = \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1)\):
\(S_{2n} = \frac{1}{6}(2n)(2n+1)(4n+1) + \frac{8}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1)\).
\(S_{2n} = \frac{1}{3}n(2n+1)(4n+4+4) = \frac{1}{3}n(2n+1)(8n+5)\).
(c) Evaluate the limit:
\(\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{S_{2n}}{n^3} = \frac{16}{3}\).
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