Analyzing the Setup
The series ∑r=110r4−3r2+1r appears intimidating at first glance. However, mathematics is rarely about brute force; it is about finding the hidden symmetry within the structure.
Let us begin by taming the denominator, r4−3r2+1. By treating r2 as the primary variable, we can complete the square.
We split the term −3r2 into −2r2−r2. This allows us to rewrite the expression as:
This transformation converts a complex quartic polynomial into a difference of two squares.
The Factorization
Using the algebraic identity a2−b2=(a−b)(a+b), where a=r2−1 and b=r, we factor the denominator:
Rearranging these terms for clarity, we obtain:
This step is the heart of the problem, as it reduces a degree-four polynomial into two manageable quadratic factors.
The Partial Fraction Magic
Next, we examine the numerator r in relation to our new factors. Observe the difference between the two factors:
Because the difference is exactly twice our numerator, we can rewrite the general term Tr as:
Tr=21[(r2−r−1)(r2+r−1)(r2+r−1)−(r2−r−1)]
Splitting this expression yields the elegant form:
Tr=21[r2−r−11−r2+r−11]
The Grand Collapse
Now, we observe the series collapse through the telescoping effect. Let us evaluate the first few terms:
For r=1: T1=21[−11−11]
For r=2: T2=21[11−51]
For r=3: T3=21[51−111]
The terms cancel sequentially: the −11 from T1 cancels with the +11 from T2, and the −51 from T2 cancels with the +51 from T3. Only the first part of T1 and the second part of T10 remain.
Final Calculation
The survivors of this collapse are 21(−1) and −21(102+10−11). Calculating the final term:
Summing these values, we get:
21[−1−1091]=21[−109110]
The final result of the series is −10955.