Table of contents
- 0. Functions4h 53m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation2h 18m
- 4. Derivatives of Exponential & Logarithmic Functions1h 16m
- 5. Applications of Derivatives2h 19m
- 6. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 0m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals48m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 36m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals1h 43m
- 10. Integrals of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions21m
- 11. Techniques of Integration2h 7m
- 12. Trigonometric Functions6h 54m
- Angles29m
- Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles1h 8m
- Solving Right Triangles23m
- Trigonometric Functions on the Unit Circle1h 19m
- Graphs of Sine & Cosine46m
- Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions32m
- Trigonometric Identities52m
- Derivatives of Trig Functions42m
- Integrals of Basic Trig Functions28m
- Integrals of Other Trig Functions10m
- 13: Intro to Differential Equations2h 23m
- 14. Sequences & Series2h 8m
- 15. Power Series2h 19m
- 16. Probability & Calculus45m
14. Sequences & Series
Series
Struggling with Business Calculus?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Compute the first four partial sums and find a formula for the nth partial sum.
∑n=1∞2n−1
A
1,3,5,9;Sn=2n−1
B
1,4,9,16;Sn=n2
C
1,4,9,16;Sn=2n−1
D
1,3,5,9;Sn=n2

1
Step 1: Understand the problem. We are tasked with computing the first four partial sums of the series ∑_{n=1}^{∞}(2n−1) and finding a formula for the nth partial sum, S_n.
Step 2: Recall the definition of a partial sum. The nth partial sum, S_n, is the sum of the first n terms of the series. For this series, the terms are given by the expression (2n−1).
Step 3: Compute the first four terms of the series. Substitute n=1, n=2, n=3, and n=4 into the formula (2n−1) to find the terms:
For n=1: 2(1)−1=1
For n=2: 2(2)−1=3
For n=3: 2(3)−1=5
For n=4: 2(4)−1=7.
Step 4: Compute the first four partial sums by adding the terms sequentially:
S_1 = 1
S_2 = 1+3=4
S_3 = 1+3+5=9
S_4 = 1+3+5+7=16.
Step 5: Observe the pattern in the partial sums. The first four partial sums are 1, 4, 9, and 16. These correspond to perfect squares: 1^2, 2^2, 3^2, and 4^2. Thus, the formula for the nth partial sum is S_n = n^2.
Watch next
Master Intro to Series: Partial Sums with a bite sized video explanation from Patrick
Start learningRelated Videos
0