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Convergence Tests & Examples

1. The document discusses various tests that can be used to determine if an infinite series converges or diverges, including: the divergence test, comparison test, limit comparison test, ratio test, root test, integral test, alternating series test, and tests for absolute and conditional convergence. 2. Some of the tests check if the terms of the series approach zero (such as the alternating series test) while others compare the series to known convergent or divergent forms (such as the ratio test and limit comparison test). Still others involve taking limits or integrals. 3. The document provides examples to illustrate each test and determine if example series converge or diverge. Key aspects of the tests are highlighted such as when certain

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221 views

Convergence Tests & Examples

1. The document discusses various tests that can be used to determine if an infinite series converges or diverges, including: the divergence test, comparison test, limit comparison test, ratio test, root test, integral test, alternating series test, and tests for absolute and conditional convergence. 2. Some of the tests check if the terms of the series approach zero (such as the alternating series test) while others compare the series to known convergent or divergent forms (such as the ratio test and limit comparison test). Still others involve taking limits or integrals. 3. The document provides examples to illustrate each test and determine if example series converge or diverge. Key aspects of the tests are highlighted such as when certain

Uploaded by

NT
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Innite Series: Convergence Tests

Heather Angelo

Wednesday, 12 April, 2006


Preliminary remarks.
1. The sequence {a
n
} is summable if the sequence {S
n
} converges, where S
n
= a
1
+ +a
n
. (S
n
is called
the n
th
partial sum.)
2. If S
n
converges, we dene

n=1
a
n
= lim
n
S
n
.

n=1
a
n
is called an innite series.
3. In many cases, we cant actually compute an innite sum. We instead content ourselves with deter-
mining whether or not the series converges.
1 Divergence Test
Suppose we are given

a
n
. If a
n
0, then the series diverges.
Example.

n=1
n + 1
n
. The sequence
n + 1
n
1 = 0. Therefore the series diverges.
Note. Its a good idea to try this test rst.
Warning. a
n
0 DOES NOT IMPLY that the series converges. Consider

1
n
. The sequence
1
n
0,
but the series diverges.
2 Comparison Test
Suppose that 0 a
n
b
n
n. If

b
n
converges, then

a
n
converges also.
Similarly, if

a
n
diverges, then

b
n
diverges.
Examples.
1.

n=1
4n
2
6n
4
+ 3n
.
6n
4
+ 3n > 6n
4
4n
2
6n
4
+ 3n
<
4n
2
6n
4
=
2
3n
2
and

n=1
2
3n
2
=
2
3

n=1
1
n
2
converges. Therefore,

n=1
4n
2
6n
4
+ 3n
converges.

Edited and typeset by M. A. Tucker


1
2.

n=1
3n
n
2
1
.
n
2
1 < n
2
3n
n
2
1
>
3n
n
2
=
3
n
and

n=1
3
n
= 3

n=1
1
n
diverges. Therefore,

n=1
3n
n
2
1
diverges.
Note. This test is eective when you can compare the series with something of the form

1
n
p
.
3 Limit Comparison Test
If a
n
, b
n
> 0 and lim
n
a
n
b
n
= c, where 0 < c < , then

a
n
converges i

b
n
converges.
Examples.
1.

3n
2
+ 2n + 1
n
3
+ 1
=

a
n
. The leading terms of the numerator and denominator dominate, so let
b
n
=
3n
2
n
3
=
3
n
. Then
a
n
b
n
=
3n
2
+ 2n + 1
n
3
+ 1

n
3
n
1.
Since 0 < 1 < and

b
n
= 3

1
n
diverges,

3n
2
+ 2n + 1
n
3
+ 1
diverges also.
2.

n + 100
2n
2

n + 9

n
=

a
n
. Let b
n
=
5

n
2n
2

n
=
5
2n
2
. Then
a
n
b
n
=
5

n + 100
2n
2

n + 9

n

2n
2
5
n
1.
Since 0 < 1 < and

b
n
=
5
2

1
n
2
converges,

a
n
converges also.
Note. You might want to try this when you cant quite get the Comparison Test to work.
4 The Ratio Test
Let a
n
> 0 n, and suppose that lim
n
a
n+1
a
n
= r.
If r < 1,

a
n
converges.
If r > 1,

a
n
diverges.
If r = 1, the test is inconclusive!
Examples.
1.

n=1
2
n
n!
.
a
n+1
a
n
=
2
n+1
(n + 1)!

n!
2
n
=
2
n + 1
n
0 < 1.
Therefore, the series converges.
2
2.

n=1
n!
10
n
.
a
n+1
a
n
=
(n + 1)!
10
n+1

10
n
n!
=
n + 1
10
n
> 1.
Therefore, the series diverges.
Note. Use when you see factorials or a combination of factorials and powers.
5 Root Test
Let a
n
> 0 n, and suppose that lim
n
n

u
n
= .
If r < 1,

a
n
converges.
If r > 1,

a
n
diverges.
If r = 1, the test is inconclusive!
Examples.
1.

n=2
_
4n 5
2n + 1
_
n
.
= lim
n
n

_
4n 5
2n + 1
_
n
= lim
n
4n 5
2n + 1
= 2 > 1.
Therefore, the series diverges.
2.

n=1
1
_
log(n + 1)
_
n
.
= lim
n
n

1
_
log(n + 1)
_
n
= lim
n
1
log(n + 1)
= 0 < 1.
Therefore, the series converges.
Note. Use when you see the n
th
power. Remember that for a constant b > 0, lim
n
n

b = 1. Also
remember the special limit lim
n
n

n = 1.
6 Integral Test
Suppose f is positive and decreasing on [1, ) and that f(n) = a
n
n.
Then

n=1
a
n
converges i
_

1
f(x) dx converges.
Examples.
1.

n=1
1
n
k
converges for k > 1 and diverges for 0 < k 1 since
_

1
1
x
k
=
_

_
1
(k1)x
k1

1
k = 1
log x

1
k = 1
=
_

_
1
k1
k > 1
k 1
3
2.

n=2
1
nlog n
.
_

2
1
xlog x
dx = log(log x)

2
.
Thus, our series diverges.
Note. Use when the terms being summed are easily integrable.
7 Alternating Series Test
Consider

(1)
n
a
n
, where a
n
> 0.
If {a
n
} is a decreasing sequence AND a
n
0, then the series converges.
If a
n
0, then the series diverges.
Examples.
1.

(1)
n
n
. This is an alternating series with a
n
=
1
n
. The sequence a
n
is decreasing, and a
n
0.
Therefore, the series converges.
2.

(1)
n
2
n
. The sequence a
n
=
1
2
n
is a decreasing sequence, and a
n
0. Therefore, the series
converges.
8 Absolute and Conditional Convergence
Denition. The series

a
n
is absolutely convergent if the series

|a
n
| is convergent.
Theorem. If

|a
n
| converges, then

a
n
converges. (Every absolutely convergent series converges.)
Denition. Series which are convergent but not absolutely convergent are called conditionally convergent.
Examples. Test the series for absolute and conditional convergence.
1.

(1)
n
n
. Note that

(1)
n
n

1
n
diverges, so the series is not absolutely convergent. How-
ever,
1
n
is a decreasing sequence whose limit is zero, so

(1)
n
n
converges, and so the series is
conditionally convergent.
2.

(1)
n
n
2
n
. Consider

(1)
n
n
2
n

n
2
n
. Then
a
n+1
a
n
=
n + 1
2
n+1

2
n
n
=
n + 1
2n
n

1
2
< 1.
By the Ratio Test, the series is absolutely convergent.
3.

(1)
n
4
n2
e
n
=

(1)
n
1
16

4
n
e
n
=
1
16

(1)
n
_
4
e
_
n
. The terms do not go to zero, so the series
diverges.
4

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