Mathematical reason for the validity of the equation: $S = 1 + x^2 \, S$ Given the geometric series: 
$1 + x^2 + x^4 + x^6 + x^8 + \cdots$
We can recast it as:
$S = 1 + x^2 \, (1 + x^2 + x^4 + x^6 + x^8 + \cdots)$, where $S = 1 + x^2 + x^4 + x^6 + x^8 + \cdots$.
This recasting is possible only because there is an infinite number of terms in $S$.
Exactly how is this mathematically possible?
(Related, but not identical, question: General question on relation between infinite series and complex numbers).

$S = 1 + x^2 \, S$ is true even in the ring of formal power series. No convergence is needed here.
