AN INTRODUCTION TO INFINITE SERIES

Abstract

Perhaps the most widely used technique in the physicist’s toolbox is the use of infinite series (i.e. sums consisting formally of an infinite number of terms) to represent functions, to bring them to forms facilitating further analysis, or even as a prelude to numerical evaluation. The acquisition of skills in creating and manipulating series expansions is therefore an absolutely essential part of the training of one who seeks competence in the mathematical methods of physics. An important part of this skill set is the ability to recognize the functions represented by commonly encountered expansions, and it is also of importance to understand issues related to the convergence of infinite series.