Evaluate
∞∑n=1(−1)n+1n2n4+1
Does anyone have any smart ideas how to evaluate such a sum? I know one solution with complex numbers and complex analysis but I'm looking for some more smart or sophisticated methods.
Answer
I would not say that it is elegant, but:
The form n4+1 in the denominator suggests that one should be able to get this series by expanding a combination of a hyperbolic and trigonometric function in a Fourier series.
Indeed, after some trial and error, the following function seems to work:
(cos(π√2)sinh(π√2)−sin(π√2)cosh(π√2))cos(x√2)cosh(x√2)+(cos(π√2)sinh(π√2)+sin(π√2)cosh(π√2))sin(x√2)sinh(x√2)
It is even, and its cosine coefficients are
√2(cos(√2π)−cosh(√2π))(−1)n+1n2π(1+n4),n≥1.
(The zero:th coefficient is also zero). Evaluating at x=0 (the series converges pointwise there) gives
+∞∑n=1(−1)n+1n21+n4=π(sin(π√2)cosh(π√2)−cos(π√2)sinh(π√2))√2(cosh(√2π)−cos(√2π))≈0.336.
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