A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
The sum S=a+ax+ax2+ax3+⋯ for x<1 can be determined by realizing that xS=ax+ax2+ax3+⋯ and (1−x)S=a, so S=1−xa. Using this, we have ∑i=1∞aiai=a∑i=1∞aii=a[a1+a22+a33+⋯]=a[(a1+a21+a31+⋯)+(a21+a31+a41+⋯)+⋯]=a[1−a1+a11−a1+a211−a1+⋯]=1−aa[1+a1+a21+⋯]=(1−aa)2.
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Source: Omni-MATH,
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