Infinity and the Basel Problem: A Journey into Mathematical Mysteries
- Jaydrien Ng
- Mar 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 14
By Jaydrien Ng
Table of Contents
1. The Concept of Infinity
2. Summarizing the Infinite Series
3. Sigma Notation
4. An Overview of the Taylor Series
5. The Infinite Series of Inverse Squares: The Basel Problem
6. Euler’s Solution
7. A Geometrical Visualization of the Basel Problem
8. A Close Relationship with the Riemann Zeta Function
9. Conclusion
The Concept of Infinity
One of the most astounding and intriguing ideas in philosophy and mathematics is
infinity. Infinity is not a number, even though it appears frequently in mathematics and
casual conversations. Instead, it symbolizes an idea, a notion that encompasses
something limitless and unending. Imagine attempting to count indefinitely; there
would always be one more number to reach, thus you would never get to the finish.
The idea that infinity being the greatest number is a frequent one. In actuality, infinity
describes a quantity that has no boundaries rather than a particular value. Since
infinity by definition extends indefinitely, there is no biggest infinite. The fact that you
can always add 1 and continue counting whether you count 1, 100, or 106 shows that
infinity is more of a direction than a number.
The set of all natural numbers (1, 2, 3,...), for instance, is infinite, but we do not refer to it
as "complete." The "next" number is always present. Numerous mathematical ideas,
including infinite series, calculus, and even geometry, can be used to further
investigate this idea of infinity.
Summarizing the Infinite Series
We must comprehend infinite series in order to comprehend infinity in a more
mathematical context. The sum of an infinite number sequence is called an infinite
series. How you can add an endless number of terms and get a finite result may seem
odd at first. However, this does occur occasionally and can result in some unexpected
findings.
Take the geometric series:
The sum approaches 2, not infinity, despite the fact that we are adding an endless
number of terms. Why? As we continue to add, the contributions of each consecutive
term become insignificant, causing the sum to converge to a finite number.
We say that an infinite series converges, meaning that its sum to infinity converges to a
single value if the ratio between each consecutive term is -1 < r < 1.
Sigma Notation
To express infinite sums, mathematicians frequently utilize a shorthand known as Sigma
notation (∑). A series can be compactly expressed using sigma notation. An infinite
series, for instance, can be expressed as follows:
We can handle infinite series more effectively with this condensed notation since it
eliminates the need to specify each term separately.
An Overview of the Taylor Series
It's important to discuss the Taylor series, a potent mathematical tool for
approximating functions, before delving further into the Basel Problem. An infinite sum
of terms, each derived from the function's derivatives at a single point, is how a Taylor
series represents a function.
For example, the sine function can be approximated by the Taylor series expansion:
For tiny values of x, this series roughly corresponds to sine. Taylor series make it easier
to work with complex, non-polynomial functions in calculus by approximating them
using polynomials.
The Infinite Series of Inverse Squares: The Basel Problem
Let's go on to the Basel Problem, a well-known mathematical puzzle that requires
adding the reciprocals of the squares of natural integers. The following is the issue:
Find the exact sum of the series:
In other words, what is the value of:
The Italian mathematician Pietro Mengoli first proposed this problem in 1650, and the
renowned Leonhard Euler resolved it in 1734. Euler's answer was revolutionary because
it made connections between seemingly unrelated mathematical concepts like
trigonometry and infinite series.
Euler’s Solution
Euler used the Taylor series expansion of the sine function in a unique way to tackle
the challenge. Euler came up with a sophisticated way to solve the sum of the inverse
squares by representing sin(x) as a product of its parts.
Consider sin(x). Let’s look at the Taylor Series expansion:
Here, sin(x) is represented as an infinite polynomial. As any polynomial that crosses the
x-axis can be expressed as a product of its factors, via x-intercepts.
We can express sin(x) as such:
We can divide through by x, to give:
Using the difference of two squares, we can further simplify this to:
After multiplying out (but only considering the terms x^2 and below - this is not an
estimation, we are actually allowed to do so) so we can compare the coefficients of
x^2, we get:
(We can ignore all terms x^4 and above as we are comparing coefficients).
As we have divided through by x, our Taylor Series expansion expression becomes:
With some rearranging and simplifying, after equating and comparing our x^2
coefficients, we see that:
Let’s remove the negative sign on both sides and express the left side in Sigma
notation. When we consider just the coefficients, we get:
If we move the π^2 to the right, and realise that 3! is just 3x2x1 = 6, we arrive at π^2/6.
This finding was a significant advance since it demonstrated that the total of the
infinite series of inverse squares converges to π^2/6, or roughly 1.64493.
A Close Relationship with the Riemann Zeta Function
A closer relationship between prime numbers and the Basel Problem is offered by the
Riemann Zeta Function. It provides the sum of the reciprocals of the squares for s=2
and is defined for any complex integer s with a real portion larger than 1:
This function has significant ramifications for number theory and is essential to the
study of prime number distribution. The zeros of the Riemann Zeta Function and their
close relationship to the primes are the subject of the well-known unresolved Riemann
Hypothesis.
Conclusion
An exquisite illustration of how seemingly straightforward mathematical ideas, such as
infinite series, may have significant outcomes is the Basel Problem. In addition to solving a centuries-old riddle, Euler's elegant solution paved the way for other branches of mathematics, including prime number theory and infinite series.
Mathematicians are still motivated by infinity and its paradoxical qualities, and the
Basel Problem is still a demonstration of the strength of mathematical reasoning. We
are often reminded that mathematics is a voyage into the infinite, where even the most
complicated concepts can have elegant, straightforward answers, whether it is through
geometric discoveries or the analytical power of Taylor series.
References
● GeeksforGeeks (2023). Infinity in Maths. [online] GeeksforGeeks. Available at:
● Hassler, U. and Hosseinkouchack, M. (2022). Basel Problem: Historical perspective
and further proofs from stochastic processes. Euleriana, [online] 2(2), p.120.
● Ivan, M. (2008). A simple solution to Basel problem. General Mathematics, [online]
16(4), pp.111–113. Available at:
● Math is Fun (2017). Taylor Series. [online] Mathsisfun.com. Available at:
● Wästlund, J. (2010). Summing inverse squares by euclidean geometry We give a
simple proof of a generalization of Euler’s famous identity. [online] Available at:
● Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Infinity. [online] Wikipedia. Available at:
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