On the series \(\sum_{k=1}^\infty \binom {3k}{k}^{-1} k^{-n}x^k\) (Q812160)

Inspired by Apéry's proof of the irrationality of \(\zeta(3)\), the author investigates sums \(S(n,m;x)=\sum_{k=1}^\infty k^{-n} \binom{3mk}{mk}^{-1}x^k\), where \(n,m\in\mathbb Z\), \(x\in\mathbb R\), \(n\geq0\), \(m>0\). The author gives a formula for \(S(n,1;x)\) (assuming \(n\geq2\), \(| x| \leq27/4\)) as a sum of two integrals, and shows how to obtain \(S(n,m;x)\) as a linear combination of the expressions \(S(n,1;\omega^j x^{1/m})\), where \(\omega\) is a primitive \(m\)th root of unity. As applications, several explicit formulas are computed for \(n\in\{0,1,2\}\) and \(m=1\). Some of these formulas have earlier been found experimentally by \textit{J. M. Borwein} and \textit{R. Girgensohn} [Aequationes Math. 70, No. 1--2, 25--36 (2005; Zbl 1078.05003)].