1.3 Tests For Convergence: Week2 MAT455
1.3 Tests For Convergence: Week2 MAT455
However, some series cannot be written in the closed form. Thus, the following tests
are used to determine the convergence and divergence of these series.
Theorem 1
i) If lim𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0 , the series ∑𝑛=∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 diverges.
Note: if you can see at a glance that 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0, then the Divergence Test should be used
Example 1
Use the Divergence Test to determine if the following series is divergent.
1 𝑒𝑛
a) ∑∞
𝑛=1 2
𝑛
b) ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛 c) ∑∞
𝑛=1
2 𝑛
𝑛 𝑛2
d) ∑∞
𝑛=1 ln(𝑛+1) e) ∑∞
𝑛=1 5𝑛2 +4
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WEEK2 CHAPTER 1 MAT455
Theorem 2
Suppose f is a continuous, positive, decreasing function on [1 , ∞) and let an =
f(n). Then the series ∑𝑛=∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 is convergent if and only if the improper
∞
integral ∫1 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 is convergent. In other words
∞
i) If ∫1 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 is convergent, then ∑𝑛=∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 is convergent.
∞
ii) If ∫1 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 is divergent, then ∑𝑛=∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 is divergent.
∞
Note: i) an = f(n), where If ∫1 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 is easily evaluated, then the Integral Test is effective.
∞ 𝑡
ii) If ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑡→∞ ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
Example 2
Use the Integral Test to determine if the following series is convergent or divergent.
1 ln 𝑛 𝑛 1
a) ∑∞ 𝑛=1 3 b) ∑∞𝑛=1 c) ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛 d) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (𝑛+1)
𝑛 𝑛 𝑒 ln(𝑛+1)
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WEEK2 CHAPTER 1 MAT455
Theorem 3
Suppose that ∑ 𝑎𝑛 and ∑ 𝑏𝑛 are series with positive terms.
1. Delete the constant in the denominator of an (as this will not affect the
convergence or divergence of the series).
The Comparison Test works well for comparing “messy” algebraic series to a p-
series, geometric series or any other series that is known to converge. In choosing
an appropriate p-series, we must choose one with an nth term of the same
magnitude as the nth term of the given series.
1 1
Eg: 1. If ∑ 3𝑛2 −4𝑛+5 , compare with ∑ 𝑛2 .
1 1
2. If ∑ , compare with ∑ 𝑛1/2 .
√3𝑛−2
𝑛2 −10 1
3. If ∑ 4𝑛5 +𝑛3 , compare with ∑ 𝑛3 .
√𝑛 1
4. If ∑ √𝑛3 , compare with ∑ 𝑛 .
+3
1 1
5. If ∑ 2𝑛+1 , compare with ∑ 2𝑛 .
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WEEK2 CHAPTER 1 MAT455
Example 3
Use the Comparison Test to determine if the series converges or diverges.
1 5
a) ∑∞
𝑛=1 2+3𝑛 b) ∑∞
𝑛=1 2𝑛2 +4𝑛+3
5𝑛 +1 1
c) ∑∞
𝑛=1 2𝑛 −1 d) ∑∞
𝑛=1 2+ √𝑛
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WEEK2 CHAPTER 1 MAT455
Theorem 4
Suppose that ∑ 𝑎𝑛 and ∑ 𝑏𝑛 are series with positive terms. If
𝑎
lim𝑛→∞ 𝑏𝑛 = 𝑐
𝑛
Where c is a finite number and c > 0, then either both series converge or both
diverge.
Example 4
Use the Limit Comparison Test to determine whether the series converge or diverge.
1 2𝑛2 + 3𝑛 1 1+ 2𝑛
a) ∑∞
𝑛=1 2𝑛 −1 b) ∑∞
𝑛=1 c) ∑∞
𝑛=1 √𝑛2 d) ∑∞
𝑛=1 1 + 3𝑛
√5 + 𝑛 5 +1
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WEEK2 CHAPTER 1 MAT455
Theorem 5
𝑎𝑛+1
Let ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 be a series with positive terms such that lim𝑛→∞ | 𝑎 | = L
𝑛
Example 5
Use the Ratio Test to determine if the following series is convergent or divergent.
𝑛2 1 (𝑛+1)! 𝑛! 2𝑛−1
a) ∑∞
𝑛=1 2𝑛 b) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (2𝑛)! c) ∑∞
𝑛=1 d) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (2𝑛+1)! e) ∑∞
𝑛=1 3𝑛 (𝑛+1)
2𝑛 𝑛2
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WEEK2 CHAPTER 1 MAT455
TRY THIS
Use any relevant test to determine whether the following series converges or diverges.
5𝑘 +2𝑘
1. ∑∞
𝑘=1 (Ans: Diverge)
3𝑘 +4
𝜋𝑘
2. ∑∞
𝑘=1 (Ans: Converge)
52𝑘 (3𝑘)!
2𝑘
3. ∑∞
𝑘=1 ln(𝑘+3) (Ans: Diverge)
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