Negative binomial series 2026-10-06
For a nonnegative integer and , this specialization of the binomial series sums the normalizing coefficients of a negative binomial distribution.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 ib Paper 1 20H c Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-06
Let and . Decomposing at the first return and using the Markov property gives the renewal equationFor , define the probability generating functions and . Absolute convergence, or nonnegative summation, justifies the convolution identity . The binomial series givesSolving the renewal identity gives the first-return generating function of the simple symmetric random walkAs consistency checks, as , confirming recurrence, while . By monotone convergence of , this last limit is , confirming null recurrent states.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2019 ia Paper 4 9A c Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-29
Put and . ThenThe binomial series givessoSince , a second binomial series expansion yieldsThus the constants in the stated Big O notation expansion are
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2020 ib Paper 1 12G Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-29
An analytic branch of a square root determined by the branch isIf and are two such branches, their ratio is analytic and satisfies . Since a domain is connected and takes values in the discrete set , is constant. Thus throughout or throughout .
For , the principal square root isOn , one may instead takeThe respective removed half-axes are their branch cuts.
On , defineIt is analytic there, its square is , andso it is the required branch. Substitution gives, for ,The binomial series yieldshence the first three terms of the Laurent series are
Sinceits residue at zero is . Under the change of variable , the two orientation reversals cancel, and the residue theorem gives
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2020 ii Paper 3 7E i Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-29
For each nonzero period lattice point , the binomial series givesPairing with cancels every odd power. Hence the Laurent series of the Weierstrass elliptic function iswhich is the stated coefficient formula.