Maths WorkshopMaths problems with full solutions
Exercise 390Calculus › Single-variable calculus › Series › Find the sumL1Added 2 Nov 2026

Telescoping with a shift p

#telescoping#partial fractions#harmonic numbers

Statement

For a fixed integer p≥1p\ge1, show that ∑k≥11k(k+p)\displaystyle\sum_{k\ge1}\frac1{k(k+p)} converges and compute its sum.

Hint

1k(k+p)=1p(1k−1k+p)\dfrac1{k(k+p)}=\dfrac1p\left(\dfrac1k-\dfrac1{k+p}\right). After telescoping, the first pp and the last pp terms survive.

Show solutionHide solution

Solution

Convergence. 1k(k+p)≤1k2\frac1{k(k+p)}\le\frac1{k^2}, which is summable, so the series converges by comparison.

Partial sums.
Sn=1p∑k=1n(1k−1k+p)=1p(∑k=1p1k−∑k=n+1n+p1k).S_n=\frac1p\sum_{k=1}^n\left(\frac1k-\frac1{k+p}\right)=\frac1p\left(\sum_{k=1}^p\frac1k-\sum_{k=n+1}^{n+p}\frac1k\right).
The second group has pp terms, each tending to 00.

Sum.
∑k=1∞1k(k+p)=1p∑k=1p1k=Hpp.\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac1{k(k+p)}=\frac1p\sum_{k=1}^p\frac1k=\frac{H_p}p.