2016 UNCO Math Contest II Problems/Problem 7
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Contents
Problem
Evaluate
![\[S =\sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \frac{4n}{(n^2-1)^2}\]](http://latex.artofproblemsolving.com/5/8/f/58f783b714712db7d5b19d0f2b8d4de5d847cb83.png)
Solution
First, we perform fractional decomposition on the summed expression.
Let ![\[\frac{A}{(n-1)^2}+\frac{B}{(n+1)^2} = \frac{4n}{(n^2-1)^2}\]](http://latex.artofproblemsolving.com/6/e/c/6ecc21bc45e4b4c7564eee920e3f10cffb2c529d.png)
.
Multiplying both sides by 
and expanding gives 
Therefore, we have the system of equations 
, which has the solution 
.
Solution 2
This is a telescoping series:
(1−1/9)+(1/4−1/16)+(1/9−1/25)+(1/16−1/36)+(1/25−1/49)+...=5/4
See also
| 2016 UNCO Math Contest II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
| Preceded by Problem 6 |
Followed by Problem 8 | |
| 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 | ||
| All UNCO Math Contest Problems and Solutions | ||
