Find $f(1)+f(3)+f(5)+\dots+ f(999)$ where $f$ is a given function

484 Views Asked by At

Given $$f(x)= \frac {1} {\sqrt[3] {x^2+2x+1} + \sqrt[3] {x^2-1} + \sqrt[3] {x^2-2x+1}}$$ and $$E= f(1)+f(3)+f(5)+\dots+ f(999).$$ Then find the value of $E$.

My work :- Let $\sqrt[3] {x+1}= a$, $\sqrt[3] {x-1}=b $ Then the equation reduces to $$f(x)= \frac {1}{a^2+b^2+ab}.$$

Now for this expression I tried breaking into partial fractions to that the sum telescopes to some finite quantity but the cube root terms restrict this straightforward way. Thanks in advance for the help. Also if someone finds a way to rationalize the denominator, please share.

1

There are 1 best solutions below

3
On BEST ANSWER

Hint. Since $(a^3-b^3)=(a-b)(a^2+ab+b^2)$, it follows that $$f(x)=\frac{1}{a^2+ab+b^2}=\frac{a-b}{a^3-b^3}=\frac{\sqrt[3] {x+1}-\sqrt[3] {x-1}}{2}.$$ Therefore the given sum is telescopic: $$\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}f(2k+1)=\frac{1}{2}\left(\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}\sqrt[3] {2(k+1)}-\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}\sqrt[3] {2k}\right)=\frac{\sqrt[3] {2n}}{2}.$$