We are asked to evaluate the infinite sum $\sum_{k=2}^{\infty} (\frac{1}{k} - \frac{1}{k-1})$.

AnalysisInfinite SeriesTelescoping SumLimits
2025/6/7

1. Problem Description

We are asked to evaluate the infinite sum k=2(1k1k1)\sum_{k=2}^{\infty} (\frac{1}{k} - \frac{1}{k-1}).

2. Solution Steps

Let SnS_n be the partial sum:
Sn=k=2n(1k1k1)S_n = \sum_{k=2}^{n} (\frac{1}{k} - \frac{1}{k-1})
Expanding the sum gives:
Sn=(1211)+(1312)+(1413)+...+(1n1n1)S_n = (\frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{1}) + (\frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{2}) + (\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{3}) + ... + (\frac{1}{n} - \frac{1}{n-1})
Notice that this is a telescoping sum, where most terms cancel out. We have:
Sn=11+(1212)+(1313)+...+(1n11n1)+1nS_n = -\frac{1}{1} + (\frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{2}) + (\frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{3}) + ... + (\frac{1}{n-1} - \frac{1}{n-1}) + \frac{1}{n}
Sn=1+1nS_n = -1 + \frac{1}{n}
Now, we take the limit as nn approaches infinity to find the value of the infinite sum:
k=2(1k1k1)=limnSn=limn(1+1n)\sum_{k=2}^{\infty} (\frac{1}{k} - \frac{1}{k-1}) = \lim_{n \to \infty} S_n = \lim_{n \to \infty} (-1 + \frac{1}{n})
Since limn1n=0\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{1}{n} = 0, we have:
limn(1+1n)=1+0=1\lim_{n \to \infty} (-1 + \frac{1}{n}) = -1 + 0 = -1

3. Final Answer

The final answer is -1.

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