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Let $n$ be an arbitrary integer. Define: $$\begin{align} c_0 &= 1;\\ c_m &= \frac1m \sum_{k = 1}^m (k n - m + k) \frac{(-1)^k}{(2k)!} c_{m - k}. \end{align}$$

This recursion turns up in my quest of computing integrals of functions of Bessel functions.

Instead of solving this recursion, I'm also satisfied with the power series of $\cos^n \alpha$.

I have tried solving that recursion using generating functions and then find some way to see this as the product of two series, however the $m^{-1}$ messes that up!

Any suggestions?

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2 Answers 2

up vote 4 down vote accepted

The cosine power series can be expanded using

$$\left(\sum_{\ell=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^\ell}{(2\ell)!}a^{2\ell}\right)^m=\sum_{\lambda_1,\cdots,\lambda_m=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^{\lambda_1+\cdots+\lambda_m}}{(2\lambda_1)!\cdots(2\lambda_m)!}a^{2\lambda_1+\cdots+2\lambda_m}$$

$$=\sum_{n=0}^\infty \left(\frac{(-1)^{n}}{(2n)!}\sum_{|\lambda|=n}\binom{2n}{2\lambda_1,\cdots,2\lambda_m}\right)a^{2n}.$$

Note we sum over all nonnegative $\lambda_1,\cdots,\lambda_m$ that sum to $n$ within the inner sum, and rewrite the negative-one power using this, as well as both multiply and divide by $(2n)!$ so we can use a multinomial (because I feel like using that would make things look nice, I guess). Ultimately this boils down to collecting all terms that are in front of an $a^{2n}$ power into one sum. This may or may not be in a useful form for you, I don't know.

Note that we can evaluate the inner sum using the multinomial theorem and symmetry:

$$\sum_{|\lambda|=n}\binom{2n}{2\lambda_1,\cdots,2\lambda_m}=\frac{1}{2^m}\sum_{x_i=\pm1} (x_1+\cdots+x_m)^{2n}$$

Here the sum is over $x_i$'s being plus or minus one, independently. We can collect all terms with $v$ negative-ones and rewrite this as

$$\frac{1}{2^m}\sum_{v=0}^m \binom{m}{v}(m-2v)^{2n}. $$

Multiply this by $(-1)^n/(2n)!$ and you have the coefficient of $a^{2n}$ in $\cos^ma$. 8-)

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Where is the $m$ in the final expression? A useful form is something I can do easily using the computer (I need to sum over $m$), if that $\lambda_n$ needs to be $\lambda_m$, I need to add a variable each iteration and that isn't so nice. –  Jonas Teuwen Mar 10 '12 at 22:21
@Jonas: That was indeed a typo I just fixed. I don't think this form will be that useful for computation. –  anon Mar 10 '12 at 22:23
I believe that you mean $(2n)!$ in the last line. –  Jonas Teuwen Mar 11 '12 at 18:24
@Jonas: Yes, fixed. –  anon Mar 12 '12 at 0:50

The power series of $\cos^n \alpha$ can be found in the following article, in the guise of the power series of $\cosh^n \alpha$. Since $\cosh \alpha = \cos i\alpha$, the two are the same up to sign.

I found this by consulting the OEIS.

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