7
$\begingroup$

Indirect method (associated with a certain problem of electrostatics) indicates that $$\sum\limits_{j=1}^\infty \frac{(2j-3)!!\,(2j-1)!!}{(2j-2)!!\,(2j+2)!!}=\frac{2}{3\pi}.$$ Is this result known?

$\endgroup$
1
  • 6
    $\begingroup$ it is known to Mathematica, does that count? $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 15, 2022 at 15:10

1 Answer 1

19
$\begingroup$

Using the standard power series for the complete elliptic integral of the second kind $$E(k) = \frac{\pi}{2} \sum_{j=0}^\infty \left(\frac{(2j)!}{2^{2j}(j!)^2}\right)^2 \frac{k^{2j}}{1-2j},$$ we find \begin{align*} \sum\limits_{j=1}^\infty \frac{(2j-3)!!\,(2j-1)!!}{(2j-2)!!\,(2j+2)!!} k^{2j}&=\sum_{j=1}^\infty\frac{-j}{j+1} \left(\frac{(2j)!}{2^{2j}(j!)^2}\right)^2 \frac{k^{2j}}{1-2j} \\ &= -\frac{1}{k^2} \int_0^k\mathrm{d}k\,k^2 \frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}k}\left(\frac{2}{\pi}E(k)\right)\\ &= \frac{2}{3}\frac{k^2-1}{k^2}\frac{2}{\pi}K(k) - \frac{k^2-2}{3k^2}\frac{2}{\pi}E(k). \end{align*} In the limit $k\to 1$ only the second term survives with $E(1)=1$ and therefore \begin{align*} \sum\limits_{j=1}^\infty \frac{(2j-3)!!\,(2j-1)!!}{(2j-2)!!\,(2j+2)!!} &=\frac{2}{3\pi}. \end{align*}

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.