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Playing with identities ($1$) and ($2$) from this blog post and infinite geometric series, I've noticed the following.

For $x > 1$, the following series is convergent:

$$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} e^{(2n + 1)i\cos^{-1}(x)} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x^2 - 1}}.\tag{$*$}\label{481686_star}$$

For $x < -1$, the following series is convergent:

$$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} e^{-(2n + 1)i\cos^{-1}(x)} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x^2 - 1}}.\tag{$**$}\label{481686_starstar}$$

Regularized results (for context see here and here)

For $x \in (-1, 1)$, the series $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} e^{-i (2n + 1) \cos^{-1}(x)}$ is divergent, but we can obtain regularized results using

$$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} e^{-(2n + 1)i\cos^{-1}(x)} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x^2 - 1}}.$$

Indeed, suppose $x=0$, then $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} e^{-(2n + 1)i\cos^{-1}(0)} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{0^2 - 1}}=\frac{1}{2i}=-\frac{i}{2}.$$ This result is consistent with the Abel, Borel and Cesàro regularizations. Now, suppose $x=-2$, then using \eqref{481686_star} yields $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} e^{(2n + 1)i\cos^{-1}(x)} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{(-2)^2 - 1}}=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{6},$$ which is consistent with Borel regularization.

Both \eqref{481686_star} and \eqref{481686_starstar} allow for a slight generalization, since ($1$$2$) from the aforementioned link are generalized in the formula ($22$) of the same link.

To be honest, the concept of regularization of divergent series is new to me. As you can see, I have managed to arrive at results consistent with the aforementioned classical methods using the 'trick' described above. Are the Abel, Borel and Cesàro regularizations (and mine?) the only ways to achieve these results?


Notice the first terms of the series

$$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} e^{-(2n + 1)i \cos^{-1}(x)}$$

when $x = 0$ are:

$$-i + i - i + i - i + i\dotsb$$

Applying $(**)$ and multiplying by $i$ gives Grandi's series.

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    $\begingroup$ Take a look at the book: G. H. Hardy, Divergent Series. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 2 at 19:40
  • $\begingroup$ I will do that. Thanks. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 2 at 19:59

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This is less interesting of a result than may initially seem but it's still commendable to find a correct statement about divergent series. These are non-intuitive objects so even being able to re-state the obvious through an unusual line of a thinking helps at the very least develop your creativity.

Recall that:

$$ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^n = \frac{1}{1-x}, |x|< 1 $$

The divergent series observation here is that we assert in general that:

$$ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^n = \frac{1}{1-x}$$

Even when $|x| \ge 1$. All other techniques such as Cesaro, Abel, Borel, Ramanujan, Euler-Maclarin summation etc.. are designed to be consistent with THIS fundamental result. If you make a summation method and it is assigns a finite result that deviates from this then your summation method is NOT compatible with analytic continuation and therefore probably useless (and that is why you're technique was compatible with them).

From here we consider the series

$$ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} e^{(2n+1)i\cos^{-1}(x)} = e^{i\cos^{-1}(x)} \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \left(e^{2i\cos^{-1}(x)} \right)^n = \frac{ e^{i\cos^{-1}(x)} }{1-e^{2i\cos^{-1}(x)}}$$

We recall that $e^{i \cos^{-1}(x)} = x +i \sqrt{1 - x^2}$ from Euler's Formula and therefore this simplifies to

$$ \frac{ e^{i\cos^{-1}(x)} }{1-e^{2i\cos^{-1}(x)}} = \frac{i}{2\sqrt{1-x^2}}$$

With the help of Wolfram Alpha. Although showing that algebraically is a bit more difficult than meets the eye, despite being merely grade school algebra.

From here we can note:

$$ \frac{i}{2\sqrt{1-x^2}} = \frac{1}{(-i)2\sqrt{1-x^2}} \underbrace{=}_{\text{this requires a bit more justification}} \frac{1}{2\sqrt{(-1)(1 -x^2)}} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x^2-1}} $$

Which is the result you have intuitively found.

Once again, BECAUSE this result is just geometric series formula under the hood, it therefore MUST be compatible with all the famous summation techniques.

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  • $\begingroup$ I know how to derive expressions $(*)$ and $(**)$ on my own (I wasn't looking for an explanation of that). What I wanted to know was whether the consistency with other advanced methods was obvious, and I have understood that thanks to your response. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 4 at 15:19
  • $\begingroup$ my apologies i misunderstood your intent. Glad that my answer was still helpful. Re: "Are the Abel, Borel and Cesàro regularizations (and mine?) the only ways to achieve these results?" in general any kind of asymptotic series method will also reproduce these results. If I may self advertise: my answer here gives an example of a method of this flavor that will also reproduce the same results. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 4 at 15:26

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