The Basel Problem
What is the Basel Problem?
The Basel problem asks for the precise summation of the reciprocals of the squares of the natural numbers, i.e. the precise sum of the infinite series:
:
The sum of the series is approximately equal to 1.644934. The Basel problem asks for the exact sum of this series (in closed form), as well as proof that this sum is correct. Euler found the exact sum to be π2/6 and announced this discovery in 1735. His arguments were based on manipulations that were not justified at the time, although he was later proven correct. He produced a truly rigorous proof in 1741.
The solution to this problem can be used to estimate the probability that two large random numbers are relatively prime. Two random integers in the range from 1 to n, in the limit, as n goes to infinity, are relatively prime with a probability that approaches 6/π2, the inverse of the solution to the Basel problem.
The sum of the series is approximately equal to 1.644934. The Basel problem asks for the exact sum of this series (in closed form), as well as proof that this sum is correct. Euler found the exact sum to be π2/6 and announced this discovery in 1735. His arguments were based on manipulations that were not justified at the time, although he was later proven correct. He produced a truly rigorous proof in 1741.
The solution to this problem can be used to estimate the probability that two large random numbers are relatively prime. Two random integers in the range from 1 to n, in the limit, as n goes to infinity, are relatively prime with a probability that approaches 6/π2, the inverse of the solution to the Basel problem.Solution to the Basel's Problem
Leonhard Euler, a renowned Swiss mathematician, solved the Basel problem in 1734. The Basel problem was one of the most famous and long-standing mathematical challenges of its time. It involved finding the exact value of the sum of the reciprocals of the squares of all positive integers.
The Basel problem can be formulated as follows:
Find the value of the series: 1 + 1/4 + 1/9 + 1/16 + 1/25 + ... + 1/n2 + . . .
Euler's approach to solving the Basel problem was ingenious and marked an essential contribution to the field of mathematics. Here's an overview of how Euler approached the problem:
1. Trigonometric Manipulation: Euler had previously worked extensively on trigonometric series and their relationships. He noticed a connection between trigonometric functions and the series in question.
2. Expanding Sine Function: Euler observed that the sine function could be expressed as an infinite polynomial:
sin(x) = x - (x3)/3! + (x5)/5! - (x7)/7! + . . .
3. Sine of Complex Numbers: Euler then explored the behavior of the sine function for complex numbers. He observed that when he set x = π, the expression became:
sin(π) = π - (π3/3! + (π5)/5! - (π7)/7! + . .
4. Equating Sine of Complex Number to 0: Euler knew that the sine of a multiple of π was always 0 (e.g., sin(0) = sin(π) = sin(2π) = . . .= 0). Therefore, he set the expression equal to 0:
sin(π) = 0
5. Simplifying the Equation: By simplifying the equation, Euler obtained:
π - (π3)/3! + (π5)/5! - (π7)/7! + . . . = 0
6. **Manipulating the Series**: Euler noticed that this equation resembled the series from the Basel problem, with alternating signs. To establish a connection, he multiplied both sides by π:
π2 - (π4)/3! + (π6)/5! - (π8/7! + . . . = 0
7. Comparing Coefficients: Euler then compared the coefficients of the powers of π on both sides of the equation. He realized that these coefficients were related to the terms in the series. In particular, he found that:
(π^2)/6 = 1 + 1/4 + 1/9 + 1/16 + . . .
8. Solving for the Sum: To find the sum of the series, Euler simply multiplied both sides by 6/π^2:
1 + 1/4 + 1/9 + 1/16 + . . . = (π2)/6
By this elegant and innovative approach, Euler was able to find the exact value of the sum of the reciprocals of the squares of all positive integers, resolving the Basel problem and making a significant contribution to the field of mathematics. The value (π^2)/6 is now known as the Basel problem solution and has various applications in number theory and other areas of mathematics.