Riemann summation method
A method for summing series of numbers. A series $\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n$ can be summed by Riemann's method to a number $S$ if
$$\lim_{h\to0}\left[a_0+\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n\left(\frac{\sin nh}{nh}\right)^2\right]=S.$$
This method was first introduced and its regularity was first proved by B. Riemann in 1854 (see [1]). The Riemann summation method has been applied in the theory of trigonometric series, where it is usually stated as follows: A trigonometric series
$$\frac{a_0}{2}+\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n\cos nx+b_n\sin nx$$
with bounded coefficients $a_n,b_n$ can be summed by Riemann's method at a point $x_0$ to a number $S$ if the function
$$F(x)=\frac{a_0x^2}{4}-\sum_{n=1}^\infty\frac{a_n\cos nx+b_n\sin nx}{n^2}$$
has, at $x_0$, Riemann derivative equal to $S$.
References
[1] | B. Riemann, "Ueber die Darstellbarkeit einer Function durch eine trigonometrische Reihe" , Gesammelte Math. Abhandlungen , Dover, reprint (1957) pp. 227–264 |
[2] | N.K. [N.K. Bari] Bary, "A treatise on trigonometric series" , Pergamon (1964) (Translated from Russian) |
[3] | A. Zygmund, "Trigonometric series" , 1–2 , Cambridge Univ. Press (1988) |
[4] | G.H. Hardy, "Divergent series" , Clarendon Press (1949) |
Comments
Regularity (cf. Regular summation methods) is expressed by Riemann's first theorem; the theorem stated above is called Riemann's second theorem. The function $F(x)$ is also called the Riemann function.
References
[a1] | W. Beekman, "Theorie der Limitierungsverfahren" , Springer (1970) |
Riemann summation method. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Riemann_summation_method&oldid=33493