Chapter 1: Sequence and Series

Sequences
Sequences are collection of numbers or objects that is ordered by the positive integers.
Notation: a1 , a 2 , a3 , a 4 , , a n (known as the terms of the sequence).
n
Example 1: Write the first five terms of the sequence a n  .
n 1
(1) n
Example 2: Write the first five terms of the sequence a n  .
3n
Describing the nth term of a sequence
Involves writing a formula describing the pattern the sequence of numbers follows.
Example 3: Find a formula for the general term a n of the sequence {3, 7, 11, 15,} .
1 2 3 4
Example 4: Find a formula for the general term a n of the sequence { , ,  , ,} .
4 9 16 25

Definition: Limit of a Sequence

Let 𝐿 be a real number. The limit of the sequence {𝑎𝑛 } is 𝐿, written as
lim 𝑎𝑛 = 𝐿
𝑛→∞
if for each 𝜀 > 0, there exists a positive integer 𝑁 > 0 such that |𝑎𝑛 − 𝐿| < 𝜀 whenever 𝑛 > 𝑁.
If the limit 𝐿 of a sequence exists, then the sequence converges to 𝐿. If the limit of the sequence
does not exist, then the sequence diverges.
Note: If lim 𝑎𝑛 = ∞, then we say the sequence diverges to infinity.
𝑛→∞
 The sequence {𝑎𝑛 } is said to diverge to ∞, written as lim 𝑎𝑛 = ∞, if and only if for each
𝑛→∞
𝑀 > 0, there exists a positive integer 𝑁 > 0 such that 𝑎𝑛 > 𝑀 whenever 𝑛 > 𝑁.
 The sequence {𝑎𝑛 } is said to diverge to −∞, written as lim 𝑎𝑛 = −∞, if and only if for
𝑛→∞
each 𝑀 > 0, there exists a positive integer 𝑁 > 0 such that 𝑎𝑛 < 𝑀 whenever 𝑛 > 𝑁.
Exercise:
1) Use the definition to verify the following:
a) lim 𝑐 = 𝑐 d) lim −𝑛 = −∞
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞
1 2𝑛−1
b) lim =0 e) lim =2
𝑛→∞ 𝑛 𝑛→∞ 𝑛+1
c) lim √𝑛 = ∞ f) lim (√𝑛 + 1 − √𝑛) = 0
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞
2) Suppose {𝑎𝑛 } and {𝑏𝑛 } are sequences such that |𝑎𝑛 | ≤ |𝑏𝑛 | ∀𝑛 ≥ 1. Show that if {𝑏𝑛 }
converges to 0, then {𝑎𝑛 } converges to 0.

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 1
Theorem
Let 𝐿 be a real number. Let 𝑓 be a function of a real variable such that
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿.
𝑥→∞
If {𝑎𝑛 } is a sequence such that 𝑓(𝑛) = 𝑎𝑛 for every positive integer 𝑛, then
lim 𝑎𝑛 = 𝐿.
𝑛→∞

ln(𝑛) 2𝑛 𝑛 𝑛+1 𝑛
Example: Determine the convergence of the sequences { } , {5𝑛}, {2𝑛} {𝑛2 𝑒 −𝑛 }, {(𝑛−1) },
𝑛
𝑛
{√𝑛2 + 3𝑛 − 𝑛} and { √𝑛}.

Theorem: Properties of Limits of Sequences

Let lim 𝑎𝑛 = 𝐿 and lim 𝑏𝑛 = 𝐾. Then
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞
1. lim (𝑎𝑛 ± 𝑏𝑛 ) = 𝐿 ± 𝐾 2. lim 𝑐𝑎𝑛 = 𝑐𝐿, 𝑐 is any real number
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞
𝑎𝑛 𝐿
3. lim (𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑛 ) = 𝐿𝐾 4. lim = 𝐾, 𝑏𝑛 ≠ 0 and 𝐾 ≠ 0.
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ 𝑏𝑛

1 
Example 5: What value does the sequence  n  appear to converge to?
2 

Example 6: Determine whether the sequence a n  n 2  n converges or diverges. If the

sequence converges, find the limit.
n2 1
Example 7: Determine whether the sequence a n  converges or diverges. If the
3n 2  1
sequence converges, find the limit.
en
Example 8: Determine whether the sequence a n  converges or diverges. If the
e 2n  1
sequence converges, find the limit.
Example 9: Determine whether the sequence an  cos n converges or diverges. If the
sequence converges, find the limit.

Example 10: Determine whether the sequence a n  ln(2n  1)  ln(n) converges or diverges.
If the sequence converges, find the limit.
Solution: Note if we compute lim a n  lim ln(2n  1)  ln(n) directly, we obtain    , which
n  n 
is an indeterminate form (this is not necessarily zero!). However, we can evaluate this limit by
rewriting the sequence formula using some basic algebra. We have

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 2
  2n  1  u
lim ln(2n  1)  ln(n)  lim ln  ( Use ln property ln u  ln v  ln )
n n  n  v
 2n 1  ab a b
 lim ln   ( Use property of fractions   )
n  n n c c c
 1
 lim ln 2   ( Simplify)
n  n
1
 ln2  0  (Evaluate limit, as n  ,  0)
n
 ln 2
Thus, the sequence a n  ln(2n  1)  ln(n) converges to ln 2.
Strategies to find limits of some types of sequence {𝒂𝒏 }:
1
1) If 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛𝑟 and 𝑟 > 0, then lim 𝑎𝑛 = 0.
𝑛→∞
2) If 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 , then
 Converges: if −1 < 𝑟 ≤ 1 (i.e., |𝑟| < 1 and 𝑟 = 1)
0, 𝑖𝑓 − 1 < 𝑟 < 1
lim 𝑎𝑛 = {
𝑛→∞ 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 = 1
 Diverges: if |𝑟| > 1 and 𝑟 = −1.
𝑝(𝑛)
3) If 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑞(𝑛) where 𝑝(𝑛) and 𝑞(𝑛) are polynomials:
 If 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒(𝑝(𝑛)) < 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒(𝑞(𝑛)), then lim 𝑎𝑛 = 0.
𝑛→∞
𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑝(𝑛)
 If 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒(𝑝(𝑛)) = 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒(𝑞(𝑛)), then lim 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 .
𝑛→∞ 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑞(𝑛)
 If 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒(𝑝(𝑛)) > 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒(𝑞(𝑛)), then the sequence diverges.

Exercise: Find the limit of the following sequences.

a) lim 32−𝑛 2𝑛 d) lim
6−𝑛2
𝑛→∞
𝑛→∞ (2𝑛+1)2
𝜋 𝑛 𝑛+1
b) lim ( 4 ) e) lim
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ √𝑛2 +1+2
𝑛+1
c) lim f) lim
√𝑛+1
𝑛→∞ 2+3𝑛
𝑛→∞ √4𝑛+6

Theorem: Squeeze Theorem for Sequences

If
lim 𝑎𝑛 = 𝐿 = lim 𝑏𝑛
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞
and there exists an integer 𝑁 such that 𝑎𝑛 ≤ 𝑐𝑛 ≤ 𝑏𝑛 for all 𝑛 > 𝑁, then
lim 𝑐𝑛 = 𝐿
𝑛→∞

cos(𝑛) 𝑒𝑛 𝑛!
Exercise: Determine the convergence of the sequences { }, { 𝑛! } and {𝑛𝑛}.
𝑛

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 3
Theorem: Absolute Value Theorem
For a sequence {𝑎𝑛 }, if lim |𝑎𝑛 | = 0, then lim 𝑎𝑛 = 0
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞
n
Example 11: Determine whether the sequence a n  (1) n 2
converges or diverges. If the
n 1
sequence converges, find the limit.

Subsequences: If the terms of one sequence appear in another sequence in their given order,
we call the first sequence a subsequence of the second.
Example:
Sequence of even integers {2,4,6,8, … }
Sequence of odd integers {1,3,5,7, … }
Sequence of prime numbers {2,3,5,7,11, … }
All are subsequences of positive integers {1,2,3,4, … }
Note:
 If a sequence {𝑎𝑛 } converges to 𝐿, then all its subsequences converge to 𝐿.
 If any subsequences of a sequence {𝑎𝑛 } diverges, then {𝑎𝑛 } diverges.
 If any subsequences of a sequence {𝑎𝑛 } diverges, then {𝑎𝑛 } diverges.
 If any two subsequences of a sequence {𝑎𝑛 } converges to different limits, then {𝑎𝑛 }
diverges.

Definition: Monotonic Sequence

A sequence {𝑎𝑛 } is monotonic if its terms are non-decreasing
𝑎1 ≤ 𝑎2 ≤ 𝑎3 ≤ ⋯ ≤ 𝑎𝑛 ≤ ⋯
or if its terms are non-increasing
𝑎1 ≥ 𝑎2 ≥ 𝑎3 ≥ ⋯ ≥ 𝑎𝑛 ≥ ⋯
(−1)𝑛 2
Exercise: Determine the monotonicity of the following sequences {(−1)𝑛 }, {1 − }, {𝑛+3},
𝑛
𝑛−1 𝑛
{𝑛+1} and {𝑛2 +1}

Definition: Bounded Sequence

1. A sequence {𝑎𝑛 } is bounded above if there is a real number 𝑀 such that 𝑎𝑛 ≤ 𝑀 for all 𝑛.
The number 𝑀 is called an upper bound of the sequence.
2. A sequence {𝑎𝑛 } is bounded below if there is a real number 𝑁 such that 𝑁 ≤ 𝑎𝑛 for all 𝑛.
The number 𝑁 is called a lower bound of the sequence.
3. A sequence {𝑎𝑛 } is bounded if is bounded above and bounded below.

Theorem: Bounded Monotonic Sequences

If sequence {𝑎𝑛 } is bounded and monotonic, then it converges.

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 4
Infinite Series
Given an infinite sequence {a n } , then

 an  a1  a2  a3    an  
n 1
is called an infinite series.
n 1 2 3 4
Note: a n  is the infinite sequence , , , ,
n 1 2 3 4 5
 
n 1 2 3 4
 an         is an infinite series.
n 1 n 1 n  1 2 3 4 5
Consider
S1  a1
S 2  a1  a 2
S 3  a1  a 2  a3

S n  a1  a 2  a3    a n
Note that S1 , S 2 , , S n is a sequence of numbers called a sequence of partial sums.

Definition: For an infinite series  an , the n th partial sum is given by

S n  a1  a 2  a3    an

If the sequence of partial sums {S n } converges to S, the series  an converges. The limit S is
n 1
the sum of the series.

S  lim S n  lim (a1  a 2    a n )   a n .
n  n  n 1

If the sequence {S n } diverges, then the series  an diverges.
n 1
1 1
Example 1: The series ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛(𝑛+1) converges, because 𝑆𝑛 = 1 − 𝑛+1 → 1.

𝑛+1
Example 2: The series ∑∞
𝑛=1 log ( ) diverges, because 𝑆𝑛 = log(𝑛 + 1).
𝑛
Exercise: Find the first five sequence of partial sum terms of the series

n
n 1
Find a formula that describes the sequence of partial sums and determine whether the sequence
converges or diverges.

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 5
Exercise: Find the first five sequence of partial sum terms of the series

1 1 1 1 1
 2n     
2 4 8 16
n 1
Find a formula that describes the sequence of partial sums and determine whether the sequence
converges or diverges.

Geometric Series
A geometric series is given by

 ar n1  a  ar  ar 2    ar n  
n 1
with ratio r.
Theorem: Convergence of a Geometric Series
A geometric series with ratio 𝑟 diverges if |𝑟| ≥ 1. If 0 < |𝑟| < 1, then the series converges to
the sum
∞
𝑎
∑ 𝑎𝑟 𝑛 = , 0 < |𝑟| < 1.
1−𝑟
𝑛=0

Notes: The ratio r is the factor you multiply the previous term by to get the next one. That is,

(𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
𝑟=
𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
 n 1
2
Example 3: Determine whether the series  2 3  is convergent or divergent. If
n 1
convergent, find its sum.
1 1
Example 4: Determine whether the series 3  1     is convergent or divergent. If
3 9
convergent, find its sum.

Example 5: Determine whether the series  2 n 5 n1 is convergent or divergent. If
n 1
convergent, find its sum.

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 6
Theorem: Properties of Infinite Series
If ∑ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝐴, ∑ 𝑏𝑛 = 𝐵, and 𝑐 is a real number, then the following series converge to the indicated
sums.
1. ∑∞ 𝑛=1 𝑐𝑎𝑛 = 𝑐𝐴
2. ∑∞ 𝑛=1(𝑎𝑛 + 𝑏𝑛 ) = 𝐴 + 𝑏
∞
3. ∑𝑛=1(𝑎𝑛 − 𝑏𝑛 ) = 𝐴 − 𝑏

 1 2 
Example 6: Determine whether the series   2 n1  3n1  is convergent or divergent. If
n 1
convergent, find its sum.
Example 7: Express 0. 7 3  0.73737373 as a ratio of integers.
Solution: Note that we can write the given number as
0.73737373  0.73  0.0073 0.000073 0.00000073 
1
This is a geometric series with r   0.01 . Note that | r || 0.01 | 0.01  1 . Also, for this
100
series, a = 0.73. Thus, the number can be expressed as the following ratio.
73
a 0.73 0.73 100 73 100 73
0.73737373       
1  r 1  0.01 0.99 99 100 99 99
100
Tests for Non-Geometric Series

Theorem: Limit of nth Term of a Convergent Series

If ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 converges, then lim 𝑎𝑛 = 0.
𝑛→∞

Theorem: nth-Term Test for Divergence

If lim 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0, then ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 diverges.
𝑛→∞

n 1 2 3 4
Example 8: Demonstrate why the series  2n  3  5  7  9  11   is not geometric.
n 1
Then analyze whether the series is convergent or divergent.

1
Example 9: Analyze whether the series  4n  1 is convergent or divergent.
n 1

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 7
Test of Convergence
In this section, we want to determine other methods for determining whether a series converges
or diverges.

Theorem: The Integral Test

If a function 𝑓 is positive, continuous and decreasing for 𝑥 ≥ 1 and 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑓(𝑛), then
∞ ∞

∑ 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑛=1 1

either both converge or both diverge.

Note: The integral test is only a test for convergence or divergence. In the case of
convergence, it does not find a value for the sum of the series.

1
Example 1: Determine the convergence or divergence of the series  4n  1
n 1

1
Example 2: Determine the convergence or divergence of the series  n (ln n) 2
n 2
Solution: We start by writing the formula for the sequence as a function of x, that is, we write
1 1
an  as f ( x )  . We should note first of all that for x > 2 ,
n (ln n) 2 x (ln x) 2
1
1. f ( x)  is always positive (> 0), 2. continuous (the function is only undefined when
x (ln x) 2
x  0 and when x = 1 since ln 1 = 0), and decreasing ), and 3. decreasing (as x   ,
1
f ( x)  0.
x (ln x) 2
Thus, the integral test can be applied. We first set up the improper integral of the function and
integrate as follows:

Since the improper integral evaluates to a fixed number (1 / ln 2) , it is convergent. Thus by the

1
integral test, the series 
n (ln n) 2
is convergent.
n 2
Example 3: Show why the integral test cannot be used to analyze the convergence or divergence

(1) n 1
of the series  n
n 1
1
𝑒𝑛
Exercise: Test the convergence of the series ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛2

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 8
p-Series and Harmonic Series
A p-series series is given by

1 1 1 1 1
 n p

1 p

2 p

3 p

4p

n 1
If p = 1, then

1 1 1 1
 n
 1   
2 3 4
n 1
is called a harmonic series.

Theorem: Convergence of p-Series

The 𝑝-series
∞
1 1 1 1 1
∑ = + + + +⋯
𝑛𝑝 1𝑝 2𝑝 3𝑝 4𝑝
𝑛=1
1. converges if 𝑝 > 1, and
2. diverges if 0 < 𝑝 ≤ 1.

1 1 1 1
Example 4: Determine whether the p-series 1       is convergent or
4 9 16 25
divergent.

1
Example 5: Determine whether the p-series n is convergent or divergent.
n 1

1
Example 6: Determine whether the p-series  n
is convergent or divergent.
n 1

Making Comparisons between Series that are Similar

Many times we can determine the convergence or divergence of a series by comparing it with
the known convergence or divergence of a related series. For example,
 
1 1
 3n 2  2 is close to the p-series  n2 ,
n 1 n 1
 n 
4 4n
 3n  1 is close to the geometric series  3n .
n 1 n 1
Under the proper conditions, we can use a series where it is easy to determine the convergence
or divergence and use it to determine convergence or divergence of a similar series using types
of comparison tests. We will examine two of these tests – the direct comparison test and the limit
comparison test.

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 9
Theorem: Direct Comparison Test
Let 0 < 𝑎𝑛 ≤ 𝑏𝑛 for all 𝑛.
1. If ∑∞ ∞
𝑛=1 𝑏𝑛 converges, then ∑𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 converges.
2. If ∑∞ ∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 diverges, then ∑𝑛=1 𝑏𝑛 diverges.

Note: Most of the time, we will compare the given series to a 𝑝-series or a geometric series.

1
Example 7: Determine whether the series  3n 2  2 is convergent or divergent.
n 1

4n
Example 8: Determine whether the series  3n  1 is convergent or divergent.
n 1
Example 9: Demonstrate why the direct comparison test cannot be used to analyze the

1
convergence or divergence of the series  (1) n n 2  1
n 0

Theorem: Limit Comparison Test

Suppose 𝑎𝑛 > 0, 𝑏𝑛 > 0, and
𝑎𝑛
lim ( ) = 𝐿
𝑛→∞ 𝑏𝑛
where 𝐿 is finite and positive. Then the two series ∑ 𝑎𝑛 and ∑ 𝑏𝑛 either both converge or both
diverge.

Note: This test is useful when comparing with a p-series. To get the p-series to compare with
take the highest power of the numerator and simplify.

5n  3
Example 10: Determine whether the series  n 2  2n  5 is convergent or divergent.
n 1

Other Convergence Tests

Alternating Series
An alternating series is a series whose terms alternate (change) in sign (from + to -)

(1) n1 n 
(1) n n
Examples:  2n  1
and  n2 1
.
n 1 n 1
In general, an alternating series has the form
 
 (1) n1 bn or  (1) n bn
n 1 n 1

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 10
Theorem: Alternating Series Test
Let 𝑎𝑛 > 0. The alternating series
∞ ∞

∑(−1)𝑛 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∑(−1)𝑛+1 𝑎𝑛

𝑛=1 𝑛=1
converge if the following two conditions are met.
1. lim 𝑎𝑛 = 0
𝑛→∞
2. 𝑎𝑛+1 ≤ 𝑎𝑛 , for all 𝑛.

Note: The alternating series test is only a test for convergence. If it fails, the series may still
converge or diverge.

(1) n n
Example 1: Determine the convergence or divergence of the series  n2 1
n 1

(1) n1 n
Example 2: Determine the convergence or divergence of the series  2n  1
n 1

Estimating the Sum of a Convergent Alternating Series

Most of the series test (geometric series is one exception) so far have been designed to only
indicate whether a given series converges or diverges. When the series is convergent, no method
for find the sum (the value the series converges to) has been given. However, it is possible to
estimate the sum of the series to a designated accuracy. Here, we present a method for doing
this that is designed for alternating.

Theorem: Alternating Series Remainder

If a convergent alternating series ∑∞𝑛=1(−1) 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑆 satisfies the condition 𝑎𝑛+1 ≤ 𝑎𝑛 , then the
𝑛

absolute value of the remainder 𝑅𝑁 involved in approximating the sum 𝑆 by 𝑆𝑁 is less than (or
equal to) the first neglected term. That is,
|𝑆 − 𝑆𝑁 | = |𝑅_𝑁| ≤ 𝑎𝑁+1

Note: Approximating the sum up to a certain number of decimal places means the digits of
approximation and the sum agree up to amount of decimal places. In general, for error estimation,
this means that to agree up to n decimal places, | error | 00
0 9
n zeros

(1) n n
Example 3: How many terms do we need to generate for  n2 1 for | error | 0.001.
n 1
Example 4: Approximate the sum of the following series to 3 decimal places.

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 11
 
(1) n1 1 1 1 1
 n 2
 1   
4 9 16 25

n 1
Solution: First, note that this is a convergent alternating series since by the alternating series
test
1 1 1 1
1. 1     
4 9 16 25
1
2. lim 2  0 .
n  n
In order to approximate the sum of the series to 3 decimal places, we must sum enough terms
of the series so that
| error | bn  0.0009
1
To find this, we first find the approximate value of n where bn   0.0009 .
n2
Absolute Convergence

Theorem: Absolute Convergence

If series ∑|𝑎𝑛 | converges, then the series ∑ 𝑎𝑛 also converges.

Definition: Absolute and Conditional Convergence

1. ∑ 𝑎𝑛 is absolutely convergent if ∑|𝑎𝑛 | converges.
2. ∑ 𝑎𝑛 is conditionally convergent if ∑ 𝑎𝑛 converges but ∑|𝑎𝑛 | diverges.

Note: If a series is absolutely convergent, then the series is itself convergent. Sometimes, it can
be easier to determine that a series is absolutely convergent.
(−1)𝑛−1
Example 5: The series ∑∞
𝑛=1 is absolutely convergent because
𝑛2
∞ ∞
(−1)𝑛−1 1
∑| 2
|=∑ 2
𝑛 𝑛
𝑛=1 𝑛=1
is a convergent p-series (p = 2).
𝑛−1
∞ (−1)
Example 6: We know that the alternating harmonic series ∑𝑛=1 is convergent, but
𝑛
it is not absolutely convergent because the corresponding series of absolute values is
∞ ∞
(−1)𝑛−1 1
∑| |=∑
𝑛 𝑛
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

which is the harmonic series (p-series with p = 1) and is therefore divergent.

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 12
 ∞ cos 𝑛
Example 7: Determine whether the series ∑𝑛=1 2 is convergent or divergent.
𝑛
This series has both positive and negative terms, but it is not alternating.
We can apply the Comparison Test to the series of absolute values
∞ ∞
cos 𝑛 |cos 𝑛|
∑| 2 | = ∑
𝑛 𝑛2
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

|cos 𝑛| 1 1
Since |cos 𝑛| ≤ 1 for all 𝑛, we have ≤ . We know that ∑∞
𝑛=1 is convergent (p-
𝑛2 𝑛2 𝑛2
|cos 𝑛|
series with p = 2) and therefore ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛2 is convergent by the Comparison Test. Thus the
∞ cos 𝑛
given series ∑𝑛=1 2 is absolutely convergent and therefore convergent.
𝑛

(1) n1
Example 8: Determine if the series  n3/ 2
is absolutely convergent.
n 1


(1) n 1
Example 9: Determine if the series  n 1
is absolutely convergent.
n 1
Note: A series  an that is not absolutely convergent may still be convergent.

(1) n 1
Example 10: Demonstrate that the series  n 1
, while not absolutely convergent, is still
n 1
convergent.

Theorem: Ratio Test

Let ∑ 𝑎𝑛 be a series with nonzero terms.
𝑎𝑛+1
1. ∑ 𝑎𝑛 converges absolutely if lim | | < 1.
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛
𝑎𝑛+1 𝑎𝑛+1
2. ∑ 𝑎𝑛 diverges if lim | | > 1 or lim | | = ∞.
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛 𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛
𝑎𝑛+1
3. The Ratio Test is inconclusive if lim | | = 1.
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛

𝑎𝑛+1
Note: Ratio Test says that if lim | | = 1 the test gives no information. For instance, for the
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛
1
convergent series ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛2 we have

1
𝑎𝑛+1 (𝑛 + 1)2 𝑛2
| |= = →1 𝑎𝑠 𝑛 → ∞
𝑎𝑛 1 (𝑛 + 1)2
𝑛2

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 13
 1
whereas for the divergent series ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛 we have

1
𝑎𝑛+1 𝑛
| |= 𝑛+1 = →1 𝑎𝑠 𝑛 → ∞
𝑎𝑛 1 𝑛+1
𝑛
𝑎𝑛+1
Therefore, if lim | | = 1 the series ∑ 𝑎𝑛 might converge or it might diverge. In this case the
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛
Ratio Test fails and we must use some other test.
𝑛
∞ 𝑛
Example 11: Test the convergence of the series ∑𝑛=1
𝑛!
𝑛𝑛
Since the terms 𝑎𝑛 = are positive, we don’t need the absolute value signs.
𝑛!

𝑎𝑛+1 (𝑛 + 1)𝑛+1 𝑛! (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 1)𝑛 𝑛! 𝑛+1 𝑛 1 𝑛

= ∙ 𝑛= ∙ 𝑛=( ) = (1 − ) → 𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑛 → ∞
𝑎𝑛 (𝑛 + 1)! 𝑛 (𝑛 + 1)𝑛! 𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
Since 𝑒 > 1, the given series is divergent by the Ratio Test.
Note: Although the Ratio Test works in the above Example, an easier method is to use the
𝑛𝑛 𝑛∙𝑛∙𝑛∙⋯∙𝑛
Test for Divergence. Since 𝑎𝑛 = = ≥ 𝑛 it follows that 𝑎𝑛 does not approach 0
𝑛! 1∙2∙3∙⋯∙𝑛
as 𝑛 → ∞. Therefore the given series is divergent by the Test for Divergence.
2𝑛 𝑛!
Exercise: Test the convergence of the series ∑∞
𝑛=1 (𝑛+2)

Theorem: Root Test

Let ∑ 𝑎𝑛 be a series.
𝑛
1. ∑ 𝑎𝑛 converges absolutely if lim √|𝑎𝑛 | < 1.
𝑛→∞
𝑛 𝑛
2. ∑ 𝑎𝑛 diverges if lim √|𝑎𝑛 | > 1 or lim √|𝑎𝑛 | = ∞.
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞
𝑛
3. The Root Test is inconclusive if lim √|𝑎𝑛 | = 1.
𝑛→∞

2𝑛+3 𝑛
Example 12: Test the convergence of the series ∑∞
𝑛=1 (3𝑛+2)

2𝑛 + 3 𝑛
𝑎𝑛 = ( )
3𝑛 + 2
𝑛 2𝑛 + 3 2
√|𝑎𝑛 | = → <1
3𝑛 + 2 3
Thus the given series converges by the Root Test.
3𝑛 𝑛 (𝑛!)𝑛
Exercise: Test the convergence of the series ∑∞ ∞
𝑛=1 (1+8𝑛) and ∑𝑛=1 𝑛4𝑛

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 14
Guidelines for Testing a Series for Convergence or Divergence
It is usually a good idea to try using the Test for Divergence as a first step when evaluating a
series for convergence or divergence. If we can show that:
lim 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0
𝑛→∞
Then we can say that the series diverges without having to do any extra work.

Below are some general cases in which each test may help:
P-Series Test:
1
 The series be written in the form: ∑ 𝑛𝑝
Geometric Series Test:
 When the series can be written in the form: ∑ 𝑎𝑛 𝑟 𝑛−1 or ∑ 𝑎𝑛 𝑟 𝑛
Direct Comparison Test:
 When the given series, 𝑎𝑛 looks like a known, or more simple, series, 𝑏𝑛
Limit Comparison Test:
 When you can see that the series looks like another convergent or divergent series, 𝑏𝑛
 But it is hard to say whether 𝑏𝑛 > 𝑎𝑛 or 𝑏𝑛 < 𝑎𝑛
Root Test:
 When the series can be written in the form: ∑(𝑎𝑛 )𝑛
Alternating Series Test:
 When the series can be written in the form: ∑(−1)𝑛+1 𝑎𝑛 or ∑(−1)𝑛 𝑎𝑛
Ratio Test:
 Whenever we are given something involving a factorial, e.g. 𝑛!
 Whenever we are given something involving a constant raised to the 𝑛𝑡ℎ power, e.g.
𝑛+5
∑ 𝑛
5
Integral Test:
 If the sequence is:
- Continuous
- Positive
- decreasing (we can use the First Derivative Test here)

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Summary of Tests for Series

Lecture note: Sequence and Series Dr. Addis Belete DDU, 2024 16