Expansion of the infinite product $(1-x)(1-xx)(1-x^3)(1-x^4)(1-x^5)(1-x^6)$ etc. into a simple series
Abstract
Translated from the Latin original "Evolutio producti infiniti $(1-x)(1-xx)(1-x^3)(1x^4)(1-x^5)(1-x^6)$ etc. in seriem simplicem" (1775). E541 in the Enestroem index. In this paper Euler is revisiting his proof of the pentagonal number theorem. He gives his original proof explained a bit differently, and then gives a different proof. However this second proof is still rather close to his original proof. To understand the two proofs, I wrote them out using subscript notation and sum/product notation. It would be a useful exercise to try to really understand the proofs without using any modern notation. The right notation takes care of a lot for us, which we would otherwise have to keep active in our minds.
- Publication:
-
arXiv Mathematics e-prints
- Pub Date:
- November 2004
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:math/0411454
- Bibcode:
- 2004math.....11454E
- Keywords:
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- Mathematics - History and Overview;
- Mathematics - Number Theory;
- 01A50;
- 33D15;
- 11-03
- E-Print:
- 7 pages