Related Formula
Partial fraction decomposition for telescopic summing:
(2n² - (n+1)² + 1 )/( ) structures directly cancel in series expansions.$$\frac{2n^2 - (n+1)^2 + 1 \dots}{\dots} \text{ structures directly cancel in series expansions.}$$
Core Logic
Given recurrence:
aₙ₊₁ - (1)/(2)aₙ = (n² - 2n - 1)/(n²(n+1)²)$$a_{n+1} - \frac{1}{2}a_n = \frac{n^2 - 2n - 1}{n^2(n+1)^2}$$
Rewrite the numerator to split the fraction:
n² - 2n - 1 = 2n² - (n² + 2n + 1) = 2n² - (n+1)²$$n^2 - 2n - 1 = 2n^2 - (n^2 + 2n + 1) = 2n^2 - (n+1)^2$$
aₙ₊₁ - (1)/(2)aₙ = (2n² - (n+1)²)/(n²(n+1)²) = (2)/((n+1)²) - (1)/(n²)$$a_{n+1} - \frac{1}{2}a_n = \frac{2n^2 - (n+1)^2}{n^2(n+1)^2} = \frac{2}{(n+1)^2} - \frac{1}{n^2}$$
Step 1: Telescope generation
Multiply both sides by appropriate powers of 2 to create a cancelling chain:
For n=1$n=1$: a₂ - (1)/(2)a₁ = (2)/(2²) - (1)/(1²)$a_2 - \frac{1}{2}a_1 = \frac{2}{2^2} - \frac{1}{1^2}$
For n=2$n=2$: multiply by 2 ⇒ 2[a₃ - (1)/(2)a₂ = (2)/(3²) - (1)/(2²)] ⇒ 2a₃ - a₂ = (2 × 2)/(3²) - (2)/(2²)$\Rightarrow 2\left[a_3 - \frac{1}{2}a_2 = \frac{2}{3^2} - \frac{1}{2^2}\right] \Rightarrow 2a_3 - a_2 = \frac{2 \times 2}{3^2} - \frac{2}{2^2}$
Wait, let's look at a cleaner telescopic scaling:
aₙ₊₁ - (2)/((n+1)²) = (1)/(2) (aₙ - (2)/(n²))$a_{n+1} - \frac{2}{(n+1)^2} = \frac{1}{2} \left(a_n - \frac{2}{n^2}\right)$.
Step 2: Identify Geometric Progression
Let Vₙ = aₙ - (2)/(n²)$V_n = a_n - \frac{2}{n^2}$.
The recurrence gives Vₙ₊₁ = (1)/(2) Vₙ$V_{n+1} = \frac{1}{2} V_n$.
This proves Vₙ$V_n$ is a geometric progression with common ratio r = 1/2$r = 1/2$.
First term V₁ = a₁ - (2)/(1²) = 1 - 2 = -1$V_1 = a_1 - \frac{2}{1^2} = 1 - 2 = -1$.
Step 3: Infinite Summation
We need | Σn=1∞ ( aₙ - (2)/(n²) ) | = | Σn=1∞ Vₙ |$\left| \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left( a_n - \frac{2}{n^2} \right) \right| = \left| \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} V_n \right|$.
Since Vₙ$V_n$ is an infinite GP:
S∞ = (V₁)/(1 - r) = (-1)/(1 - 1/2) = (-1)/(1/2) = -2$$S_{\infty} = \frac{V_1}{1 - r} = \frac{-1}{1 - 1/2} = \frac{-1}{1/2} = -2$$
Taking absolute value:
|-2| = 2$|-2| = 2$
Pattern Recognition
When dealing with rational fraction recurrences Aₙ₊₁ - k Aₙ = f(n) - k f(n-1)$A_{n+1} - k A_n = f(n) - k f(n-1)$, immediately substitute Vₙ = Aₙ - f(n)$V_n = A_n - f(n)$. This substitution instantly isolates a classical Geometric Progression.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series