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Let $d\mu_n(x)=\cos^{2n}x\,dx$ and consider the averages of moments $$\alpha_n=\frac{\int_0^{\pi/2}x^4d\mu_n(x)}{\int_0^{\pi/2}d\mu_n(x)}.$$ Then, I have encountered a curious evaluation $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(\frac{n}{n+1}\right)^2(\alpha_{n-1}-\alpha_n) =\frac{21}8\zeta(4)-\frac32\zeta(2);$$ where $\zeta(s)$ is the Riemann zet function.

Is this true?

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    $\begingroup$ This question is straightforward to reformulate in terms of Euler sums, the rest is a routine technical calculation. $\endgroup$
    – Nemo
    Commented May 5, 2018 at 17:41
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    $\begingroup$ the right-hand-side equals a sum of $\pi^2$ and $\pi^4$ (with rational coefficients) --- any reason to write this in terms of Zeta functions? $\endgroup$ Commented May 5, 2018 at 17:42
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    $\begingroup$ How did you "encounter" your identity without "proving" it? $\endgroup$
    – GH from MO
    Commented May 6, 2018 at 1:43
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    $\begingroup$ @Nemo: I am not familiar with Euler sums. You seem to know the proof, why don't you give it as an answer? $\endgroup$
    – GH from MO
    Commented May 6, 2018 at 6:46
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    $\begingroup$ @CarloBeenakker I find it easier to work from the formula $$\int_0^{\pi/2}\cos^{2n}x\cos bx\,dx=\frac{\pi (2n)!}{2^{2n+1}\Gamma(n+1+b/2)\Gamma(n+1-b/2)}$$ by differentiating it 4 times wrt $b$ and then put $b=0$. $\endgroup$
    – Nemo
    Commented May 6, 2018 at 20:17

1 Answer 1

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After my first failed attempt I now follow the route suggested by Nemo --- which works smoothly. Starting from Nemo's identities $$F(b)\equiv\int_0^{\pi/2}\cos^{2n}x\cos bx\,dx=\frac{\pi (2n)!}{2^{2n+1}\Gamma(n+1+b/2)\Gamma(n+1-b/2)}$$ $$\int_0^{\pi/2}x^4\cos^{2n}x\,dx=\lim_{b\rightarrow 0}\frac{d^4}{db^4}F(b),$$ I arrive at $$\alpha_n=\tfrac{3}{4}\left[ \psi ^{(1)}(n+1)\right]^2-\tfrac{1}{8}\psi ^{(3)}(n+1),$$ where $\psi^{(m)}(x)$ is the Polygamma function $$\psi^{(m)}(x)=\frac{d^m}{dx^m}\left(\frac{1}{\Gamma(x)}\frac{d}{dx}\Gamma(x)\right),$$ $$\psi^{(m)}(n)=(-1)^{m+1}m!\sum_{k=n}^\infty\frac{1}{k^{m+1}},\;\;m\geq 1,\;\;n\in\mathbb{N}.$$ (The last equation gives the connection to Harmonic numbers mentioned by Nemo.)
The recurrence relation $$\psi^{(m)}(x+1)=\psi^{(m)}(x)+\frac{(-1)^m m!}{x^{m+1}}$$ implies that $$\alpha_{n-1}-\alpha_n=\tfrac{3}{2} n^{-2} \psi ^{(1)}(n)-\tfrac{3}{2}n^{-4}.$$ From here we arrive at the result in the OP, $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(\frac{n}{n+1}\right)^2(\alpha_{n-1}-\alpha_n)=\frac{3}{2}\sum_{n=1}^\infty\sum_{k=n+1}^\infty\frac{1}{k^2(n+1)^2}=\frac{21}8\zeta(4)-\frac32\zeta(2).$$


This simple final expression suggests a generalization to higher powers of $x$, but that does not seem to work. If I replace $x^4\cos^{2n}x$ in the definition of $\alpha_n$ by say $x^6\cos^{2n}x$ or $x^8\cos^{2n}x$, I find that $\alpha_{n-1}-\alpha_n$ contains products of Polygamma functions, which I have not been able to sum up in closed form.

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    $\begingroup$ Your last sum telescopes to $\alpha_0=\frac{\pi^4}{80}$. Pleasing but trivial... :D $\endgroup$
    – Wolfgang
    Commented May 7, 2018 at 15:08
  • $\begingroup$ point taken, thanks, I'll remove this silly last sum. $\endgroup$ Commented May 7, 2018 at 15:14

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