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jmc

algebra intermediate

Problem

Find
Solution
Let We compute the first few sums : \renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5} \begin{array}{c|c} m & S_m \\ \hline 1 & \frac{1}{6} \\ 2 & \frac{3}{8} \\ 3 & \frac{7}{15} \\ 4 & \frac{71}{144} \\ 5 & \frac{419}{840} \end{array}We note that the fractions seem to be approaching so we also compute : \renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5} \begin{array}{c|c|c} m & S_m & \frac{1}{2} - S_m \\ \hline 1 & \frac{1}{6} & \frac{1}{3} \\ 2 & \frac{3}{8} & \frac{1}{8} \\ 3 & \frac{7}{15} & \frac{1}{30} \\ 4 & \frac{71}{144} & \frac{1}{144} \\ 5 & \frac{419}{840} & \frac{1}{840} \end{array}We can relate the fractions to factorials in the following way: Thus, we conjecture that So, let Then which is exactly what we are summing.

From the identity we have that
Final answer
\frac{1}{2}