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Exercise 2093Combinatorics › Binomial coefficientsM1Added 3 Nov 2026

Partial fractions with binomials

#partial fraction#binomial#generating function

Statement

Expand 1(1−x)(1−2x)\frac{1}{(1-x)(1-2x)} as a power series.

Hint

Partial fractions: 1(1−x)(1−2x)=A1−x+B1−2x\frac{1}{(1-x)(1-2x)}=\frac{A}{1-x}+\frac{B}{1-2x}.

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Solution

Partial fractions. A(1−2x)+B(1−x)=1A(1-2x)+B(1-x)=1, so A+B=1A+B=1 and −2A−B=0-2A-B=0. Solving: A=−1A=-1, B=2B=2.

Series. 1(1−x)(1−2x)=−11−x+21−2x=−∑xn+2∑2nxn=∑n≥0(2n+1−1)xn\frac{1}{(1-x)(1-2x)}=-\frac{1}{1-x}+\frac{2}{1-2x}=-\sum x^n+2\sum 2^nx^n=\sum_{n\ge0}(2^{n+1}-1)x^n.

Coefficient. an=2n+1−1a_n=2^{n+1}-1.

Conclusion. 1(1−x)(1−2x)=∑n≥0(2n+1−1)xn\frac{1}{(1-x)(1-2x)}=\sum_{n\ge0}(2^{n+1}-1)x^n.

Alternative. Using binomial: an=∑k=0n2k=2n+1−1a_n=\sum_{k=0}^{n}2^k=2^{n+1}-1.