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Context: I am trying to compute the expected value of a random variable $X$ whose PMF is given by $P_X(x)=(\tfrac12)^x$. This results in verifying if $\sum_{x\in{N}}x2^{-x}$ converges, and if so, to what value. I used the absolute convergence test and verified that this series converges. I also know from checking online calculators that this series converges to $2$.

Further, I need to find the variance of $X$ as well. I'm going about that by computing $E[X^2]$ which means I need to evaluate $\sum_{x\in{N}}x^2*2^{-x}$. I have no idea how to calculate that either, although I have found from the ratio test that this series also converges.

So, the question is, how to find the value for $\sum_{x\in{N}}x^k*2^{-x}$ for $k = 1,2$ and is there a formula for general $k\in{N}$.

Alborz
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