m (2a Ken Pesyna moved to 4.2a Ken Pesyna: Improperly named originally)
 
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Latest revision as of 07:43, 15 October 2008

The E[x] equation you come up with in this problem can be simplified (rid the summation term) by using a differentiated form of the commonly used geometric series equation: $ \sum_{n=0}^\infty r^n = 1/(1-r) $

Now take the derivative with respect to r and you get:

$ \sum_{n=0}^\infty nr^{n-1} = 1/(1-r)^2 $

You can use this equation to simplify your expected value.

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Ph.D. 2007, working on developing cool imaging technologies for digital cameras, camera phones, and video surveillance cameras.

Buyue Zhang