# Math Help - Riemann Integrability of f(x)

1. ## Riemann Integrability of f(x)

A function $f$ defined on [0,1] by $f(x) = 2rx, where \frac{1}{1+r} < x < \frac{1}{r} , (r=1,2,3,......)$ then show that $f \in \Re[0,1]$ and its integral is $\frac{\pi^2}{6}$ where $f \in \Re[0,1]$ denotes that f is Riemann integrable on [0,1].

${\bf Sol:}$
Here is how I went about solving it firstly the function is discontinuous $\forall x \in S=\{x: x=\frac{1}{r} where (r=1,2,3,......)\}$ and the set $S$ has one limit point namely $\{0\}$ and $f$ is bounded and monotonic in [0,1] hence $f \in \Re[0,1]$

Now the trouble is when I evaluate $\int^1_0 f(x)\,dx$ = $\displaystyle\sum_{r=1}^{\infty}\int^\frac{1}{r}_\ frac{1}{1+r}2rx\,dx$ = $\displaystyle\sum_{r=1}^{\infty}\frac{2r+1}{r(r+1) ^2}$ but I cannot prove it equals $\frac{\pi^2}{6}$ any help is much appreciated.

Regards,
Kalyan.

2. A hint: use partial fractions

$\displaystyle \frac{2r+1}{r(r+1)^2}=\frac{1}{r}-\frac{1}{1+r}+\frac{1}{(1+r)^2}$

and the fact that

$\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^2}=\frac{\pi^2}{6}$

3. Yeah thats true I tried that but I did not know that $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^2}=\frac{\pi^2}{6}$

Can you tell me how to prove that the sum of the series is in fact $\frac{\pi^2}{6}$ I can prove that its convergent but what about the limit of convergence of the series.

Regards,
Kalyan.

4. Originally Posted by kalyanram
Yeah thats true I tried that but I did not know that $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^2}=\frac{\pi^2}{6}$
Can you tell me how to prove that the sum of the series is in fact $\frac{\pi^2}{6}$ I can prove that its convergent but what about the limit of convergence of the series.
Notice that $\displaystyle\sum\limits_{r = 1}^\infty {\left( {\frac{1}{r} - \frac{1}{{r + 1}}} \right)} = 1$.

Further notice that $\displaystyle\sum\limits_{r = 1}^\infty {\frac{1}{{\left( {r + 1} \right)^2 }}} = \sum\limits_{r = 2}^\infty {\frac{1}{{\left( r \right)^2 }} = \frac{{\pi ^2 }}{6} - 1}$

5. Originally Posted by kalyanram
Yeah thats true I tried that but I did not know that $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^2}=\frac{\pi^2}{6}$

Can you tell me how to prove that the sum of the series is in fact $\frac{\pi^2}{6}$ I can prove that its convergent but what about the limit of convergence of the series.

Regards,
Kalyan.
I know this is a little late, but:

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