On the MRB constant, Visualized
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Marvin Ray Burns

Abstract

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In the fascinating realm of mathematics, various constants have been discovered that hold significant theoretical value and occasionally find applications in practical fields. One such intriguing constant is the MRB constant, named after Marvin Ray Burns, who first introduced it. This constant emerges from the study of partial alternating sums of n-th roots and has intriguing mathematical properties.
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Originally a Mathematica Notebook, this paper aims to explore the representation of the MRB constant through the partial alternating sums of n-cubes, as demonstrated in this using Mathtematica code. Then, we will delve into the mathematical significance of the MRB constant and discuss its potential applications in real-world scenarios. While the MRB constant is primarily recognized for its theoretical interest within mathematics, its study can provide insights into several applied disciplines.
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By analyzing the properties of the MRB constant, we aim to highlight its relevance and explore how the mathematical techniques and insights gained from its study can be valuable across various fields such as number theory, combinatorics, mathematical analysis, computer science, and engineering. Although the MRB constant itself may not have direct applications, its exploration can illuminate new pathways and contribute to advancements in both theoretical and applied mathematics.
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In the following sections, we will detail the mathematical framework of the MRB constant and its connection to n-cubes, review potential applications, and discuss the broader implications of its study for various scientific and mathematical domains. We will also address the challenges faced in computing the MRB constant and the mathematical insights gleaned from these efforts.

What is the MRB constant?


MRB constant

Construct the MRB constant

MRBConstantImage:​​
• This image is related to the mathematical representation or visualization of the MRB constant. The MRB constant is a mathematical constant that can be represented by the partial sums of a particular series.
In[]:=
​
The MRB constant is related to the following alternating series:
S
n
=

n∞
n
∑
k=1
k
(-1)
1/k
k
==-1+2
2
-
1/3
3
-
1/5
5
+
1/6
6
-
1/n
n
==DNE
​The divergent sequence of its partial sums has two accumulation points with an upper limiting value or
, CMRB+0, and a
, CMRB - 1 This is observed and determined in the following Wolfram code and exploration .
In[]:=
{l,li,s,i,W,R,DL,Dm,mm,Dp,PL,P,S,Rf,tx}="
=","
=","
n
∑
k=1
1
k
k
",Infinity,WolframAlpha,Rationalize,DiscreteMaxLimit,DiscreteMinLimit,"
+",DiscretePlot,PlotLegends,PlotLabel,StringJoin,Riffle,"f,​
and
with s. ( <> is a place holder)";
In[]:=
m=W["MRB constant",{{"DecimalApproximation",1},"ComputableData"}];
In[]:=
inf:=210^10;
In[]:=
f[x_]:=x^(1/x);
In[]:=
fi={{l,mm,R[DL[NSum[Re[(-1)^kf[k]],{k,1,inf}],ni]-m,10^-8]}};​​
In[]:=
se={{li,mm,R[Dm[NSum[Re[(-1)^kf[k]],{k,1,inf+1}],ni]-m,10^-8]}};
In[]:=
one=S[S[Rf[fi," "]]]//Quiet;
In[]:=
two=S[Rf[se," "]]//Quiet;
In[]:=
Dp[{m,Sum[(-1`)^kf[k],{k,1,x}],m-1},{x,1,20},P->tx,PL->Placed[{one,s,two},Right],Axes{False,True}]
Out[]=

What are n-cubes?


n-cube
Assuming "n-cube" is referring to a mathematical definition | Use as
a geometric object
or
a graph
instead
Assuming hypercube | Use
polycube
instead
Input interpretation
hypercube
Illustration
Alternate names
measure polytope
|
n-cube
Basic definition
A hypercube is a generalization of a cube to more than three dimensions.
Detailed definition
More details
The hypercube is a generalization of a 3-cube to
n
dimensions, also called an
n
-cube or measure polytope. It is a regular polytope with mutually perpendicular sides, and is therefore an orthotope. It is denoted
γ
n
and has Schläfli symbol
4,
3,3
n-2

.
The following table summarizes the names of
n
-dimensional hypercubes.
More information »
Related terms
cross polytope
|
cube
|
cube-connected cycle graph
|
glome
|
Hamiltonian graph
|
hypercube graph
|
hypercube line picking
|
hypersphere
|
orthotope
|
parallelepiped
|
polytope
|
simplex
|
tesseract
Educational grade level
high school level
Subject classifications
Show details
MathWorld
n-dimensional geometry
|
polytopes
MSC 2010
51M20
|
52Bxx
◼
  • n-CubeImage:​​
    • This image represents a 2-dimensional illustration of a 3-dimensional n-cube (or hypercube). It shows the geometric structure and connections of vertices in a cube.
  • The series of n-cubes used to Construct MRB

    Consider the set of all n∈N-Cubes where the volume of each n-cube is n. Illustrated by the following code:
    Table[​​a=HypercubeGraph[n];​​Print[a," Hyper-volume of ",n],​​{n,1,6}​​];
    Hyper-volume of 1
    Hyper-volume of 2
    Hyper-volume of 3
    Since we chose the volume to be n, the length of one of the edges of any given n-cube is n^(1/n). Illustrated by the following code:
    Consider the partial alternating sums of those edges. Illustrated by the following code:

    The Topology of the MRB constant Sequence

    ​
    We saw, that, the sequence (-1)^n(n^(1/n)-1) is not "open" in the sense that it doesn't diverge or expand indefinitely. Instead, it oscillates
    .
    The set of partial alternating sums of those edges is not "closed" either for individual terms, because they do not settle into a single value or a finite set of values.
    Instead, we focus on the convergence of the series formed by these terms, which leads to the MRB constant.
    ​
    ​
    ​

    What is the numeric value of the MRB constant?

    Approximated below.
    ​
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    While the MRB constant is primarily a mathematical curiosity, it can have implications and potential applications in various fields due to its connection with series, sums, and combinatorial mathematics . Some potential areas where the MRB constant or similar mathematical concepts could be of interest include :

    1. Number Theory and Combinatorics : Understanding the properties of alternating sums and series can provide insights into number theory problems and combinatorial identities .

    2. Mathematical Analysis : The study of convergent and divergent series, such as those related to the MRB constant, can be important in real analysis and the study of infinite series .

    3. Computer Science : Algorithms that deal with summations or series, especially those that alternate in sign, may benefit from insights gained from studying the MRB constant .

    4. Physics and Engineering : Series representations, like those related to the MRB constant, can sometimes be used to approximate solutions to differential equations or to model phenomena in physics and engineering .

    5. Mathematical Research : Pure mathematical research often explores constants like the MRB constant to better understand the properties of mathematical series and their implications in both theoretical and applied contexts .

    While the MRB constant itself might not have direct applications, the mathematical techniques and insights gained from its study can be valuable across these disciplines .
    To formalize the derivation related to the MRB constant and the geometric interpretation involving hypercubes, we need to break down the problem into clear mathematical statements and definitions. Here is a structured approach:
    3. Relate Edge Length to Volume:
    ◼
  • The derivation shows that, across all hypercubes with unit hypervolume, the alternating sum of the edge lengths converges to the MRB constant. This convergence is linked to the scaling properties of hypercubes in higher dimensions.
  • By structuring the derivation in this way, each step logically follows from the previous one, leading to a formal understanding of how the MRB constant relates to hypercubes and their geometric properties. If you have any specific parts you'd like to explore further, feel free to ask!

    Summary