Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

DC-I
Semester-II
Lesson: Tests for the Convergence of
Infinite Series
Course Developer: Dr. Chaitanya Kumar
Department/College:
Department of Mathematics,
Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (D.U.)
University of Delhi
























Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 1

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

Table of Contents:
Chapter : Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
1. Learning Outcomes
2. Introduction
3. D'Alember's Ratio Test
4. Cauchy's nth Root test
5. Convergence of the infinite integral ( )
1
u x dx

o 5.1. Cauchy's Integral Test
Exercises-1
6. Alternating series
o 6.1. Leibnitz test
o 6.2. Absolute convergence
o 6.3. Conditional Convergence
Exercise 2
Summary
References

1. Learning Outcomes
After you have read this chapter, you should be able to
Define and understand the following tests for the convergence
of an infinite sereis.
o D'Alember's Ratio Test
o Cauchy's nth Root test
o Cauchy's Integral Test
Define the alternating series and convergence of the
alternating series
Absolute convergence
Conditional Convergence

Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 2

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

2. Introduction
The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the following tests
for convergence, conditional convergence and absolute convergence
of an infinite series.

3. D'Alember's Ratio Test
Let
n
u

be a positive term series such that

n
n
n 1
u
lim
u

+
= (1)
then
(i) u
n
converges if > 1.
(ii) u
n
diverges if < 1.
(iii) Test fails if = 1.
Proof: Case (i) let > 1, we can choose > 0 such that - > 1
or > 1, = -
Using (1), there exists a positive integer m
1
, such that

n
1
n 1
u
, n m
u

+
<

n
1
n 1
u
, n m
u

+
< < +
Consider

( )
n
1
n 1
u
, n m
u

+
> =
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 3

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

n 1
n
n
n 1
u
u

+
+
> or
n n
1
n 1 n 1
u v
, n m
u v
+ +
> (2)
Where
n n 2
1 1 1
v ...

= = + +

being a geometric series with
common ratio
1
1

< is convergent. Hence

n
u

is convergent (By
second comparison Test)
Case II Let < 1, we can choose > o such that
+ < 1 < 1, = + .
Using (1) there exists a positive integer m
2
such that

n
2
n 1
u
, n m
u

+
<

n
2
n 1
u
, n m
u

+
< < +
Consider

n 1
n
2 n
n 1
u
l , n m
u

+
+
< + = =

n n
2
n 1 n 1
v u
, n m
v u
+ +
> (3)
Where
n n
1
v

=

, being a geometric series with common ratio
1
1

> , is divergent. Hence by second comparison test

n
u

is
divergent.
Case III: We will give examples of two series: one convergent
and other divergent both satisfying the condition
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 4

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

n
n
n 1
u
lim 1
u

+
=
The series
n
1
u
n
=

is convergent, but

n
n n n
n 1
u n 1 1
lim lim lim 1 1
u n n

+
+ | |
= = + =
|
\ .

The series
n 2
1
u
n
=

is convergent, but

( )
2 2
n
2
n n n
n 1
n 1 u 1
lim lim lim 1 1
u n n

+
+
| |
= = + =
|
\ .

Value Addition: Note
1. The test fails for = 1 in the sense that it fails to give any
define information.
2. If
n
u

is a positive term series such that

n
n
n 1
u
lim ,
u

+
= then
n
u

is convergent.

Example 1: Test for convergence the series
n 1
n 1
n 1
2
3

+
=

.
Solution: We have

n 1 n
n n 1 n n 1
2 2
u , u
3 1 3 1

+ +
= =
+ +


n 1 n
n
n
n n n
n 1
n
1
3
u 1 3 1 1 3
lim lim lim
1
u 2 3 1 2
1
3
+

+
| |
+
|
| | \ . +
= =
|
+ \ .
+

Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 5

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

n
n
n 1
u 3
lim 1
u 2

+
= >
Hence by D'Alembert's Ratio Test the given series converges.
Example 2: Test for convergence the series
2
n
2
n 1
x
n 1

.
Solution: Here

( )
( )
2
2
n n 1
n n 1 2 2
n 1 1
n 1
u x , u x
n 1
n 1 1
+
+
+

= =
+
+ +


( ) ( )
( )
2 2
n
n
2 2 n 1
n n
n 1
n 1
n 1 1
u x 1
lim lim .
u n 1 x x
n 1 1
+

+

+ +
= =
+
+

Hence by D'Alembert's Ratio test the given series converges if

1
1 x 1
x
> < and diverges if
1
1 x 1
x
< > .
The test fails to give any information when x = 1,
when x = 1,
2
n 2
n 1
u
n 1

=
+
.

2
n 2
n n
n 1
limu lim 1 0
n 1

= =
+

The given series is divergent
Hence the given series converges if x < 1 and diverges if x > 1.
Example 3: Test for convergence the series
2 3 4
1 1 1 1
...
2 2.2 3.2 4.2
+ + + +
Solution: Here,
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 6

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

( )
n n 1 2 n 1
1 1
u ,u
n.2 n 1 2
+ +
= =
+


( ) ( )
n 1
n
n
n n n
n 1
n 1 2 n 1 .2
u
lim lim lim
u n.2 n
+

+
+ +
= =
=
n
1
lim2 1 2 1
n

| |
+ = >
|
\ .

By D'Alembert's Ratio test the given series converges.
Example 4: Test for convergence the series
( )
2 3 4
x x x x
... x 0
1.3 2.4 3.5 4.6
+ + + + > .
Solution: Here

( ) ( ) ( )
n n 1
n n 1
x x
u ,u
n n 2 n 1 x 3
+
+
= =
+ + +


( ) ( )
( )
n
n
n 1
n n
n 1
x n 1 x 3 u
lim lim
u n n 2 .x
+

+
+ +
=
+


( ) ( )
( )
n
n 1 n 3 1
lim .
n n 2 x

+ +
=
+


2
n
2
1 3
n 1 1
1 1 n n
lim .
2 x x
n 1
n

| | | |
+ +
| |
\ . \ .
= =
| |
+
|
\ .

By D'Alembert's Ratio test,
n
u

converges if
1
1
x
> i.e. x < 1 and
diverges if
1
1
x
< i.e. x > 1 and test fails for x = 1.
For x = 1,
( )
n
2
1 1
u
2 n n 2
n 1
n
= =
+ | |
+
|
\ .

Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 7

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
Let
n 2
1
v
n
=

which is convergent since p = 2 > 1.

2
n
n n
2
n
u n
lim lim 1
2 v
n 1 1
n

= =
| |
+
|
\ .

So by comparison test
n
u

and
n
v

both converge and diverge

together.
Since
n 2
1
v
n
=

converges consequently
n
u

converges for x=1.

Hence the given series converges for x < 1 and diverges for x > 1.
Example 5: Show that the series
2 3 4
1 2! 3! 4!
...
5 5 5 5
+ + + + is divergent.
Solution: We have

n n
n!
u
5
= and
( )
n 1 n 1
n 1!
u
5
+ +
+
=

( )
n 1
n
n
n n
n 1
5 u n!
lim lim
u n 1! 5
+

+
=
+

=
n
5
lim 0 1
n 1

= <
+

Hence, by Ratio test, the given series diverges.
Example 6: Test for convergence the series
( )
p p p
2 3 4
1 ... p 0
2! 3! 4!
+ + + + > .
Solution: Here

p
n
n
u
n!
= and
( )
( )
p
n 1
n 1
u
n 1!
+
+
=
+

Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 8

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

( )
( )
( )
p p
n
p
n n n
n 1
n n 1 !
u n
lim lim lim n 1
u n 1
n! n 1

+
+
| |
= = +
|
+
\ . +


p
n
n 1
lim
1
n
n

+
=
| |
+
|
\ .

Hence by Ratio test, the given series is convergent.
4. Cauchy's nth Root test
If
n
u

is a positive term series such that

( )
1
n
n
n
lim u

=
Then (i)
n
u

converges if < 1 (ii)

n
u

diverges if > 1 (iii) the

fails if = 1.
Proof Case I. < 1.
Let us select a positive number such that + < 1.
Let + = < 1
Since ( )
1
n
n
n
lim u

= therefore there exists a positive integer m such

that
( )
1
n
n
u , n m <
( )
1
n
n
u , x m < < +
( ) ( )
n n
n
n
u , n m < < + =

n
n
u , n m <
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 9

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
But since
n

is a convergent geometric series with common ratio

< 1, therefore by comparison test the series
n
u

converges.
Case II. > 1
Let us select a positive number such that
- > 1
Let - = > 1
Since ( )
1
n
n
n
lim u ,

= therefore there exists a positive integer m, such

that
( )
1
n
n 1
u , n m < < +
( ) ( )
n n
n 1
u , n m < < +
( )
n
n
n 1
u , n m > =
But since
n

is a divergent geometric series with common ratio

> 1, therefore by comparison test, the series
n
u

diverges.
Value addition: Note
The test fails to give any definite information for = 1.
Consider the two series
1
n

and
2
1
n

. The series
1
n

diverges,
while
1
n
2
n
1
lim
n

| |
=
|
\ .
and the series
2
1
n

, converges, while
1
n
2
n
1
lim
n

| |
=
|
\ .
.
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 10

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

Example 7: Test for convergence the series
( )
n
n 2
1
logn

.
Solution: Let
( )
n n
1
u
logn
=

( )
( )
1
n
1
n
n n
n n
1
lim u lim
logn

| |
=
|
\ .

=
n
1
lim 0 1
logn

= <
Hence by Cauchy's nth root test the given series is convergent.
Example 8: Test for convergence the series whose general term is
3
2
n
1
1
n

| |
+
|
\ .
.
Solution: Let
3
2
n
n
1
u
1
1
n
=
| |
+
|
\ .
, then

( )
3
2
1
n
1
n
n
n n
n
1
lim u lim
1
1
n

| |
|
|
=
|
|
| |
+
|
|
\ .
\ .


n
n
1 1
lim 1
e
1
1
n

= = <
| |
+
|
\ .

Hence, by Cauchy's root test, the given series converges.
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 11

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
Example 9: Test for convergence the series whose nth term is
( )
2
2
n
n
n
n 1 +
.
Solution: Let
( )
2
2
n
n
n
n
u
n 1
=
+

( )
n
1
n
n n
n 1
u
n 1
1
1
n
| |
= =
|
+
\ .
| |
+
|
\ .


( )
1
n
n n
n n
1 1
lim u lim 1
e
1
1
n

= = <
| |
+
|
\ .

Hence, by Cauchy's root test, the given series converges.
5. Convergence of the infinite integral ( )
1
u x dx

Definition 1. The infinite integral ( )
1
u x dx

is said to be convergent
(divergent), if ( )
t
t
1
lim u x dx

is finite (infinite).
Theorem 1: If u(x) > 0, x 1 then ( )
1
u x dx

converges if there
exists a positive number k such that ( )
t
1
u x dx k, t 1

.
Example 10: Examine the convergence and divergence of integral
2
1
1
dx
1 x

.
Solution: We know that
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 12

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

t
t
1
2
1
1
1
dx tan x
1 x

( =

+

t
1 1
2
t t
1
1
lim dx lim tan t tan
1 x 4 4



(
= =
(
+

2 4 4

= =
Hence,
2
1
1
dx
1 x

converges.
5.1. Cauchy's Integral Test
If u(x) is a non-negative monotonic decreasing integrable
function such that u(n) = u
n
for all positive integral values of n,
then the series
n
n 1
u

and ( )
1
u x dx

converge or diverge together.

Proof. Since u(x) is monotonic decreasing, we have
( ) ( ) ( ) 1 n u u x u n + , whenever n < x < n + 1. Also since u(x) is
non-negative and integrable,
( ) ( ) ( )
n 1 n 1 n 1
n n n
u n dx u x dx u n 1 dx
+ + +
+


( ) ( ) ( )
n 1
n
u n u x dx u n 1
+
+

(1)
or ( )
n 1
n n 1
n
u u x dx u
+
+

Let us write
n 1 2 n
s u u ... u = + + + and ( )
n
n
1
I u x dx =

and putting n = 1, 2,
(n 1) successively and adding, we get
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 13

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

n n n n 1
s u I s u

n n n 1
0 u s I u < (2)
Let us consider the sequence <(s
n
I
n
)>
( ) ( ) ( )
n n n 1 n 1 n n 1 n n 1
s I s I s s I I

=
( )
n
n
n 1
u u x dx

=


< 0 (using (1))
Therefore the sequence <(s
n
I
n
)> is monotonic decreasing
bounded by 0 and u
1
.
Hence, the sequence converges and has a limit such that

( )
1
0
n n
n
lim s I u

(3)
Thus the series u
n
converges or diverges with the integral ( )
1
u x dx

;
if convergent, the sum of the series differs from the integral of less
than u
1
, if divergent, the limit of (S
n
I
n
) still exists and lies
between 0 and u
1
.
Example 11: Apply Cauchy's integral test to examine the
convergence of the series
2
n 1
1
n 1

=
+

Solution: Let ( )
2
1
u x
x 1
=
+
, so that ( )
n
u n u , n N =
For x > 1, u(x) is non negative, monotonically decreasing and
integrable function. Now
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 14

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

t
t
1
2
1 t t
1
1
lim dx lim tan x
1 x


( =

+

1 1
t
lim tan t tan 1

( =



2 4 4

= = which is finite.
Hence
2
1
1
dx
1 x

is convergent and so
2
n 1
1
n 1

=
+

is convergent.
Example 12: Show that the series ( )
p
n 1
1
p 0
n

=
>

is convergent if p >
1 and divergent if p < 1.
Solution: Let

n p
1
u
n
= and ( )
p
1
u x
x
= , so that ( )
n
u n u , n N = .
Clearly for x > 1, u(x) is non-negative, integrable and a decreasing
function of x, Now
( )
( )
t
1 p
t t
p
1 1
t
1
x
, if p 1
1 p
u x dx x dx
logx , if p 1

(

(

= =

( )
( )
( )
1 p
t
1
1
t 1 , if p 1
1 p
u x dx
logt log1 , if p 1

( )
( )
1 p
t
t
t
1
t
1
limt 1 ,if p 1
1 p
lim u x dx
limlogt, if p 1

Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 15

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

, if p 1
1
, if p 1
p 1
, if p 1
<

= >

Hence, ( )
t
t
1
lim u x dx

if p < 1 and
1
p 1
, if p >1. Therefore ( )
1
u x dx

is convergent if p > 1 and divergent if p < 1. Hence, by Cauchy's
integral test,
n p
n 1 n 1
1
u
n

= =
=

is convergent if p > 1 and divergent if p <
1.
Example 13: Show that the series
( )
p
n 2
1
n logn

is convergent if p > 1
and divergent if 0 < p < 1.
Solution: Let ( )
( )
( )
p
1
u x , p 0
x logx
= >
Clearly, for x > 2, u(x) is non negative, monotonically decreasing
and integrable function. Also u(n) = u
n
, n N
Consider ( )
( )
t t
p
2 2
1
u x dx dx
x logx
=



( )
( ) ( )
t
1 p
2
t
2
1
logx ,if p 1
1 p
log logx ,if p 1

(

or ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
1 p 1 p
t
2
1
logt log2 ,if p 1
1 p
u x dx
log logt log log2 , if p 1

(

Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 16

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

( ) ( )
t
1 p
t
2
, if p 1
1
lim u x dx log2 , if p 1
p 1
, if p 1

<

= >

Thus ( )
2
u x dx

is convergent if p > 1 and divergent if 0 < p < 1.

Hence, by Cauchy's integral test the given series is convergent if p
> 1 and divergent if 0 < p <1.
Exercises-1
Test each of the following series for convergence from 1 to 4:
1.
n 1
1
2n 1

2.
2
3
n 1
n
n 4

=
+

3.
n
n 1
1
2 x

=
+

, for all positive values of x.

4.
1 1 1
...
1.3.5 2.4.6 3.5.7
+ + +
5. Test for convergence the series whose nth term is
( )
n
n 1
2

.
6. Show that
p p p p
1 2 3 n
... ...
1 2 3 n
+ + + + + converges if p > 2 and
diverges if p<2.
7. Test for convergence the series
(i) ( )
2 3 4
x x x
... x 0
2 1 3 2 4 3
+ + + >
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 17

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
(ii) ( )
2 3
x x x
... x 0
2 3 3 4 4 5
+ + + >
8. Test for convergence the series with nth term
(i) ( )
n
2
nx
x 0
n 1
>
+

(ii) ( )
n
3
n 1
x x 0
n 1

>
+

9. Apply Cauchy's integral test to examine the
convergence of the following series :-
(i)
2
n 1
1
n n

=
+

(ii)
n 2
1
nlogn

10. Test the convergence of the series
( )
p
n 3
1
,p 0
nlogn loglogn

=
>

6. Alternating series
A series of the form u
1
u
2
+ u
3
u
4
+ , where u
n
> 0,
n N is called an alternating series and is defined by ( )
n 1
n
n 1
1 u

.
For Example: Consider the series given by
1.
( )
n 1
n 1
1
1 1 1
1 ...
n 2 3 4

= + +

2.
( )
n 1
n 1
1
1 1 1
1 ...
n 2 3 4

= + +

are alternating series.
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 18

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
6.1. Leibnitz test: If the alternating series
( )
n 1
n
n 1
1 2 3 4 n
u u u u 1 , u , n u 0

=
+ + > =

is such that
(i) u
n+1
< u
n
, v n and
(ii)
n
n
limu 0

=
then the series converges.
Proof: Let S
n
= u
1
u
2
+ u
3
- u
4
+ + (-1)
n
u
n

Now for all n,

2n 2 2n 2n 1 2n 2
S S u u 0
+ + +
=

2n 2 2n
S S
+

The sequence <S
2n
> is a monotonic increasing sequence.
Again
2n 1 2 3 2n 1 2n
S u u u ... u u

= + +
( ) ( ) ( )
1 2 3 4 5 2n 2 2n 1 2n
u u u u u ... u u u

=
But since
n 1 n
u u
+
for all n, therefore each bracket on the right is
positive and hence

2n 1
S u , vn <
Thus the monotonic increasing sequence <S
2n
> is bounded above
and is consequently convergent.
Let
2n
n
limS S

=
We shall now show that the sequence <S
2n+1
> also converges to
the same limit S.
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 19

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
Now
2n 1 2n 2n 1
S S u
+ +
= +

2n 1 2n 2n 1
n n n
limS limS limu
+ +

= +
But by condition (ii)

2n 1
n
limu 0
+

=

2n 1 2n
n n
limS limS S
+

= =
Thus the sequences <S
2n
> and <S
2n+1
> both converge to the same
limits.
We shall now show that the sequence <S
n
> also converges to S
Let > 0 be given.
Since the sequences <S
2n
> and <S
2n+1
> both converge to S,
therefore there exists positive integers m
1
, m
2
such that

2n 1
S S , n m < (1)
and
2n 1 2
S S , n m
+
< (2)
Thus from (1) and (2), we have
( )
n 1 2
S S , n max m,m <
<S
n
> converges to S
The series ( )
n 1
n
1 u

converges.
Example 14: Show that the series
p p p p
1 1 1 1
...
1 2 3 4
+ + converges for
p > 0.
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 20

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
Solution: Let
n n 1 p p 1
1 1
u u
n n
+ +
= =
Here
n 1 n
u u , vn
+
<
and
n p
n n
1
limu lim 0
n

= =
Hence by Leibnitg test the alternating series
( )
n 1
p
1
n

converges.
6.2. Absolute convergence: A series u
n
is said to be absolutely
convergent if the series
n
u

is convergent.
6.3. Conditional Convergence: A series
n
u

is said to be
conditionally convergent, if
(i) u
n
is convergent and
(ii) u
n
is not absolutely convergent.

Value Addition: Illustrations
1. The series
n 2 3
1 1 1
u 1 ...
2 2 2
= + +

is absolutely convergent,
since
n 2 3
1 1 1
u 1 ...
2 2 2
= + + + +

, being a geometric series with

common ratio
1
1
2
< , is convergent.
2. The series
n
1 1 1
u 1 ...
2 3 4
= + +

is not absolutely convergent,

since
n
1 1 1
u 1 ... ...
2 3 n
= + + + + +

is not convergent.

Theorem 2: Every absolutely convergent series is convergent.
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 21

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
Proof: Let
n
u

be absolutely convergent, so that

n
u

is
convergent.
Hence for any > 0, by Cauchy's General principle of convergence,
there exists a positive number m such that

n 1 n 2 n p
u u ... u , n m
+ + +
+ + + < and p > 1
Also for n and p > 1,

n 1 n 2 n p n 1 n 2 n p
u u ... u u u ... u , n m
+ + + + + +
+ + + + + + < and p >1.
Hence by Cauchy's General principle of convergence the series u
n

converges.
Value Addition: Remark
The divergence of |u
n
| does not imply the divergence of u
n
.
For example, if
( )
n 1
n
1
u
n

= , we have seen above that |u

n
| is
divergent, whereas u
n
is convergent.

Example 15: Test for convergence and absolute convergence
the series.

1 1 1 1
...
1 3 5 7
+ +
Solution: We have

n
1
u
2n 1
=

n 1
1
u
2n 1
+
=
+

Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 22

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

n 1 n
u u ; vn.
+
<
Now,
n
n n
1
limu lim 0
2n 1

= =

Hence, by leibnitg's test, the series u
n
is convergent. Now we show
that u
n
is not absolutely convergent.
We have
n
1
u
2n 1
=

Let
n
1
v
n
=

n
n n
n
u
n 1
lim lim 0
v 2n 1 2

= =

Since v
n
is divergent, so |u
n
| is divergent. Hence u
n
is not
absolutely convergent.
Example 16: Show that for any fixed value of x the series
2
n 1
sinnx
n

is convergent.
Solution: Let
n 2
sinnx
u
n
= so that
n 2
sinnx
u
n
=
Now
n 2 2
sinnx 1
u , vn
n n
=
and
2
1
n

converges.
Hence by comparison test, the series
2
sinnx
n

converges.

2
sinnx
n

is absolutely convergent.
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 23

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
Since every absolutely convergent series is convergent, therefore
2
sinnx
n

is convergent.
Example 17: Show that the series
2 3
x x
x ...
2! 3!
+ + + converges
absolutely for all values of x.
Solution: Let
n
n
x
u
n!
= and
( )
n 1
n 1
x
u
n 1!
+
+
=
+

Now
n
n n
n 1
u
n 1
lim lim
u x

+
+
= , except, when x = 0. Hence by Ratio
test the series converges absolutely for all x except possibly zero.
But for x = 0, the series evidently converges absolutely. Hence the
series converges absolutely for all values of x.
Note: Since for a convergent series u
n
,
n
n
limu 0

=

n
n
x
lim 0
n!

= , is a useful result.
Example 18: Test for convergence and absolute convergence the
series
( )
( )
n 1
n 1
1 1 1 1
...
log n 1 log2 log3 log4
+

= +
+

Solution: We have
( )
n
1
u , n N
log n 1
=
+

Clearly
( )
n
n n
1
limu lim 0
log n 1

= =
+

Since log x is an increasing function for all x > 0.

( ) ( ) ( ) log n 2 log n 1 n 2 n 1 + > + + > +
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 24

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

( ) ( )
1 1
, vn
log n 2 log n 1
<
+ +


n 1 n
u u , vn
+
<
Thus the two conditions of Leibnitz test are satisfied and so the
given series is convergent.
Now we test the absolute convergence of the given series.
We have
n
n 2 n 2
1
u
logn

= =
=

, which is divergent.
Hence u
n
is not absolutely convergent.
u
n
is conditionally convergent.
Example 19: Show that the series
2 4 6
x x x
1 ...
2! 4! 6!
+ + is
absolutely convergent.
Solution: Ignoring the first term, we have

( ) ( )
2n 2n 2
n n 1
x x
u , u
2n ! 2n 2 !
+
+
= =
+


( )
( )
n
2
n n
n 1
u 2n 2 ! 1
lim lim .
u 2n ! x

+
+
=

( ) ( )
2
n
2n 2 2n 1
lim
x

+ +
= = + provided x 0.
By Ratio test, u
n
is convergent, v x 0 .
But for x = 0, the given series is obviously convergent. Hence u
n
is
absolutely convergent for all values of x.
Exercise 2
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 25

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
1. Test for convergence and absolute convergence of the
series
1 1 1 1
...
1.2 3.4 5.6 7.8
+ +
2. Show that the series
1 1 1
1 ...
3 5 7
+ + is conditionally
convergent.
3. Show that the series
( )
n 1
n 1
1
2n 3

is conditionally
convergent.
4. Show that the series
1 1 1
1 ...
2! 4! 6!
+ + is absolutely
convergent.
5. Prove that the series
2 3
x x x
1 ...
1! 2! 3!
+ + + + converges
absolutely for all values of x.
6. Prove that the series
3 5
x x
x ...
3! 5!
+ is absolutely
convergent.
7. Test the convergence and absolute convergence of the
series
1 1 1
...
2log2 3log3 4log4
+
8. Test the conditional and absolute convergence of the
series
(i)
( )
n 1
n 1
1
n
+

(ii) ( )
( )
n 1
3 3
n 1
1 1
1
n
n 1

=
(
+ (
+
(

9. Test for convergence the series
( )
n
3
n 1
1 cosn
n

, being
real
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 26

Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series
Summary:
In this lesson, we have emphasized on the followings
Define and understand the following tests for the convergence
of an infinite sereis.
o D'Alember's Ratio Test
o Cauchy's nth Root test
o Cauchy's Integral Test
Define the alternating series and convergence of the
alternating series
Absolute convergence
Conditional Convergence

References:
1. Bartle, R.G., Sherbert D.R. "Introduction to Real Analysis"
John Wiley and Sons (Asia) Pvt. Ltd., Singapore, 2002.
2. Brian S. Thomson, Andrew, M. Brucknor, and Judith B.
Bruckner, "Elementary Real Analysis, Prentice Hall, 2001.
3. Ferrar, W.L. "A Test Book of Convergence", Oxford at the
Clarendon Press, 1937.
4. Gerald G. Bilodeau, Paul R. thie, G.E. Keough, "An
Introduction to Analysis, Jones & Bartlett, Second Edition,
2010
5. Goldber, R. "Methods of Real Analysis", George Springer,
University of Kansas, 1963.


Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi pg. 27