Cotangent coefficient proof of the even zeta values

ID: cotangent-coefficient-proof-of-the-even-zeta-values

The cotangent partial-fraction expansion gives, on ,
The Bernoulli number generating function gives the same Laurent series in another form:
The term cancels the separate ; the higher odd Bernoulli numbers vanish. Comparing Laurent coefficients therefore gives , which is the stated real formula because . The cotangent partial-fraction expansion justifies the convergent expansion before the coefficient comparison; a finite plot of partial sums alone would not prove the infinite identity.

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