Tests for the Convergence of Infinite Series

Prerequisite knowledge for the lecture: Series, Sequence of partial sums, Positive Term
series, Convergence of series.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 1

 Revision
Infinite Series:

An expression of the form 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑛 + ⋯

where each 𝑎𝑛 is a real number, is called an infinite series of real numbers and is
denoted by σ∞ 𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 or simply σ 𝑎𝑛 , the term 𝑎𝑛 is called the nth term of the
series σ 𝑎𝑛 .

Convergence of Series:

A series is said to be convergent if its sum turns out to be a finite number.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 2

How to test the
convergence of
a series?

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 3

 Learning outcomes (2-3)

By the end of these topics, students will be able to:

• Understand the concept of convergence/divergence of series

• Apply various tests to find the convergence/divergence of series

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 4

 Ratio Test
We now introduce a very powerful tool for testing a series for convergence.

This test can be applied to a wide range of series, including the extremely important case of
power series, which we discuss later.
Here, 1/1 is called the first term, 1/2 is the second term, and so on. We call a(n) = 1/n the general term, since it gives a general
formula for computing all the terms
∞ of the sequence. 𝑎𝑛+1
Ratio Test: Let σ𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 be a positive term series such that lim 𝑎𝑛
= 𝑙, then
𝑛→∞

(i) the series σ∞

𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 diverges if 𝑙 > 1.

(ii) the series σ∞

𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 converges if 𝑙 < 1.

(iii) the ratio test fails if 𝑙 = 1.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 5

 𝑛
Example 1 : Test the series σ∞
𝑛=1 2𝑛 for the convergence (Using Ratio Test).

Solution:

The graph of the first 20 partial

Here, 1/1 is called the first term, 1/2 is the second term, and so on. We call a(n) = 1/n the general term, since it gives a general
sums
formula for of the
computing series
all the terms ofoftheabsolute
sequence.

values suggests that the series of

absolute values converges to
about 2.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 6

Example 1 Continued :
𝑛+1
𝑎𝑛+1 2𝑛+1
From ratio test lim = lim 𝑛
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛 𝑛→∞ 2𝑛

1
𝑎𝑛+1 𝑛 + 1 𝑛+1
lim 1
= lim 𝑛 + 1
= lim1 =1
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛 = lim 1
𝑛→∞ = <𝑛1
𝑛→∞
2 𝑛→∞ 𝑛 𝑛 2
∞
hence series ෍ 𝑛converges.
𝑛 2
𝑛=1

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 7

 1
Example 2 : Test the harmonic series σ∞
𝑛=1 for the convergence (Using Ratio Test).
𝑛

1
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = .
𝑛

1
𝑎𝑛+1 𝑛+1 𝑛+1
Then lim = lim 1 = lim =1
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛 𝑛→∞ 𝑛
𝑛→∞ 𝑛

Thus the Ratio Test yields no conclusion here.

1
Though we will later get to know that the harmonic series σ∞
𝑛=1 is divergent.
𝑛

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 8

 1
Example 3 : Test the series σ∞
𝑛=1 for the convergence (Using Ratio Test).
𝑛2
1
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛2.

1
𝑎 (𝑛+1)2 𝑛2
Then lim 𝑛+1 = lim 1 = lim 2 =1
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛 𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ 𝑛 +2𝑛+1
𝑛2

Thus the Ratio Test yields no conclusion here.

1
Though we will later get to know that the series σ∞
𝑛=1 is convergent.
𝑛2

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 9

 ∞ 2𝑛 !
Example 4 : Test the series σ𝑛=1 for the convergence (Using Ratio Test).
(𝑛!)2

2𝑛 !
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = (𝑛!)2 .

2(𝑛+1) !
𝑎 ((𝑛+1)!)2 2(𝑛+1) ! (𝑛!)2 2𝑛+2 ! (𝑛!)2
Then lim 𝑛+1 = lim 2𝑛 ! = lim x = lim x =
𝑛→∞ 𝑎𝑛 𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ ((𝑛+1)!)2 2𝑛 ! 𝑛→∞ 2𝑛 ! ((𝑛+1)!)2
(𝑛!)2

2𝑛+2 (2𝑛+1)(2𝑛)! (𝑛!)2 2𝑛+2 (2𝑛+1) 2(𝑛+1) (2𝑛+1) 2 (2𝑛+1)

lim x = lim = lim = lim =
𝑛→∞ 2𝑛 ! ( 𝑛+1 𝑛 !)2 𝑛→∞ ( 𝑛+1 )2 𝑛→∞ ( 𝑛+1 )2 𝑛→∞ (𝑛+1)

1
2 (2+𝑛)
lim 1 = 4. Thus, by the Ratio test, the given series is divergent.
𝑛→∞ (1+𝑛)

School of Basic Sciences 10

 𝑘!
Example 5 : Test the series series σ∞
𝑘=1 for the convergence (Using Ratio Test).
𝑒𝑘
Solution:

The graph of the first 20

partial sums of the series
suggests that the series
diverges.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 11

 Example 5 Continued :

𝑘!
hence the series σ∞
𝑘=1 diverges.
𝑒𝑘

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 12

Activity-1

Test the convergence of the series

σ∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 by Ratio test if

2𝑛 +5
1) 𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑛

4𝑛 𝑛! 𝑛!
2) 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 !

−1 𝑛 (𝑛+2)
3) 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 +5

−1 𝑛 𝑛2
4) 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛+1 !

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 13

 Root Test

1
Let σ∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 be a positive term series such that lim 𝑎𝑛 𝑛 = 𝑙, then
𝑛→∞

(i) the series σ∞

𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 diverges if 𝑙 > 1.

(ii) the series σ∞

𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 converges if 𝑙 < 1.

(iii) the ratio test fails if 𝑙 = 1.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 14

 𝑛 2
Example 1 : Test the series σ∞
𝑛=1 2𝑛 for the convergence (Using Root Test).

𝑛2
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = .
2𝑛

1 1
1
𝑛2 𝑛 (𝑛𝑛 )2 1
Therefore 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑎𝑛 𝑛 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = < 1.
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ 2𝑛 𝑛→∞ 2 2

𝑛 2
So by the Root Test, the given series σ∞
𝑛=1 2𝑛 is convergent.

School of Basic Sciences 15

 5𝑛−1 𝑛
Example 2 : Test the series σ∞
𝑛=1 2𝑛+4 for the convergence (Using Root Test).

5𝑛−1 𝑛
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = .
2𝑛+4

1 1
1
5𝑛−1 𝑛 𝑛 5𝑛−1 5−
𝑛 5
Therefore 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑎𝑛 𝑛 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚
2𝑛+4
= lim
2𝑛+4
= lim 4 =
2
> 1.
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ 2+𝑛
𝑛→∞

∞ 5𝑛−1 𝑛
So by the Root Test, the given series σ𝑛=1 is divergent.
2𝑛+4

School of Basic Sciences 16

 1
Example 3 : Test the series σ∞
𝑛=1 for the convergence (Using Root Test).
(log 𝑛)𝑛

1
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = .
(log 𝑛)𝑛

1
1 𝑛
1 1
Therefore 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑎𝑛 𝑛 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 0 < 1.
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ (log 𝑛)𝑛 𝑛→∞ log 𝑛

1
So by the Root Test, the given series σ∞
𝑛=1 is convergent.
(log 𝑛)𝑛

School of Basic Sciences 17

 3
1 −𝑛2
Example 4 : Test the series σ∞
𝑛=1(1 + ) for the convergence (Using Root Test).
𝑛

3
1 −𝑛2
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = (1 + ) .
𝑛

1
1 3 𝑛
1 −𝑛2 1 1
Therefore 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑎𝑛 𝑛 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (1 + ) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 1 = < 1.
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ 𝑛 𝑛→∞ (1+ 𝑛) 𝑛 𝑒

3
1
So by the Root Test, the given series σ∞
𝑛=1(1 + ) −𝑛2
is convergent.
𝑛

School of Basic Sciences 18

Activity-2

Test the convergence of the series

σ∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 by Root test if

1 𝑛
1) 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛+1

𝑛
2) 𝑎𝑛 = 2−𝑛−(−1)

2𝑛
3) 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛3

𝑛−1 𝑛
4) 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 19

 Integral Test
If f (k) = ak for all k = 1, 2, . . .
f is continuous and decreasing,
and f (x) ≥ 0 for x ≥ 1, then

converges and diverges together.

Note: While the Integral Test might say that a given series and improper integral both
converge, it does not say that they will converge to the same value.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 20

 1
Example 1 : Test the series σ∞
𝑛=1 for the convergence (Using Integral Test).
𝑛2 +1

Solution:

The graph of the first

20 partial sums
suggests that the series
converges to some
value around 2.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 21

Example 1 Continued:
1
Define 𝑓 𝑥 = 2 . The function f(x) is continuous, positive, and decreasing on (0, ∞).
𝑥 +1
Apply the Integral Test:

Hence the improper integral converges.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 22

Example 1 Continued :
Since the improper integral converges, the series must converge, also.
Now that we have established that the series is convergent, calculations give us the estimated
sum 2.076.
Notice that this is not the same as the value of the corresponding improper integral, which is

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 23

 ∞ 1
Example 2: For what values of p, the series (p-series) σ𝑛=1 𝑝 is convergent?
𝑛

Solution:
1
Notice that for p = 1, this is the harmonic series σ∞
𝑛=1 , which is divergent.
𝑛
1
For p > 1, define 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑝 = 𝑥 −𝑝 .

For x ≥ 1, f is continuous, positive, and decreasing such that

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 24

Example 2 Continued :

The improper integral converges and hence, so must the series.

We leave it as an exercise to show that the series diverges when p < 1.
∞ 1
Thus the p-series σ𝑛=1 𝑝 converges if 𝑝 > 1 and diverges if 𝑝 ≤ 1.
𝑛

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 25

Activity-3
Test the convergence of the series
σ∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 by Integral Test if
2
1) 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛𝑒 −𝑛

1
2) 𝑎𝑛 = 2log(𝑛)

1
3) 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛2 +4

4) 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑒 −2𝑛

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 26

 Alternating Series Test/Leibnitz Test

An Alternating Series is any series of the form σ∞

𝑛=1(−1)𝑛+1 𝑎 = 𝑎 −𝑎 + 𝑎 − 𝑎 + 𝑎 − ⋯ .
𝑛 1 2 3 4 5
where ai > 0, for all i.

For example, is an alternating series.

Here, 1/1 is called the first term, 1/2 is the second term, and so on. We call a(n) = 1/n the general term, since it gives a general
formula for computing all the terms of the sequence.
Alternating Series Test:

If {𝑎𝑛 } is a monotonically decreasing sequence of positive terms such that lim 𝑎𝑛 = 0, then
𝑛→∞
the alternating series σ∞
𝑛=1 (−1)𝑛+1 𝑎
𝑛 is convergent.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 27

 (−1)𝑛+1
Example 1 : Test the alternating series σ∞
𝑛=1 for the convergence.
𝑛
graph of the first 20 partial
1 sums suggests that the series
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = .
𝑛 might converge to about 0.7

• Clearly {𝑎𝑛 } is a positive term sequence as 𝑛 ≥ 1.

1 1
• Since 𝑛 + 1 > 𝑛, therefore < . Thus {𝑎𝑛 }
𝑛+1 𝑛

is monotonically decreasing sequence.

1
• Also, lim 𝑎𝑛 = lim = 0.
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ 𝑛

Therefore, by Alternating series test, the given alternating series is convergent.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 28
 ∞ −1 𝑛 (𝑛+3)
Example 2 : Test the alternating series σ𝑛=1 for the convergence.
𝑛(𝑛+1)
First 20 partial sums suggests
(𝑛+3)
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = . that the series converges to
𝑛(𝑛+1) some value around −1.5
• Clearly {𝑎𝑛 } is a positive term sequence as 𝑛 ≥ 1.
•{𝑎𝑛 } is monotonically decreasing sequence also (Check Yourself).
3
(𝑛+3) (1+𝑛)
• Also, lim 𝑎𝑛 = lim = lim 1 = 0.
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ 𝑛(𝑛+1) 𝑛→∞ 𝑛(1+𝑛)

Therefore, by Alternating series test, the given alternating series

is convergent.
25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 29
 ∞ −1 𝑛 𝑛
Example 3 : Test the alternating series σ𝑛=3 for the convergence.
𝑛+2
𝑛
Solution: Let 𝑎𝑛 = .
𝑛+2

• Clearly {𝑎𝑛 } is a positive term sequence as 𝑛 ≥ 3.

•{𝑎𝑛 } is monotonically decreasing sequence also (Check Yourself).
𝑛
• Also, lim 𝑎𝑛 = lim = 1 ≠ 0.
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞ 𝑛+2

Therefore, by Alternating series test, the given alternating series is divergent.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 30

Activity-4

Test the convergence of the

alternating series σ∞
𝑛=1(−1)
𝑛+1 𝑎
𝑛

by Leibnitz Test if

−1 𝑛−1
1) 𝑎𝑛 = 2

sin(𝑛)
2) 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛2

(−1)𝑛 .5
3) 𝑎𝑛 = 4𝑛

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 31

• Alternating series test is applicable to alternating series only.
• Apart from the Alternating Series test, all the tests discussed above for the
convergence of the series apply only on the series having positive terms.

So, what do we do if we are dealing with a series that has both positive and
negative terms, but that is not an alternating series?

For instance, has both positive and

negative terms, but the terms do not have alternate signs.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 32

 Absolute Convergence

A series σ∞ 𝑎
𝑛=1 𝑛 is said to be absolutely convergent if σ ∞
𝑛=1 |𝑎𝑛 | is convergent.

For example,
𝑛+1
(−1) 1
The series σ∞
𝑛=1 is Absolutely Convergent because σ∞
𝑛=1 is convergent by p-series
𝑛2 𝑛2
test.

Result: Every Absolutely convergent series is convergent.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 33

Activity-5 (Think-Pair-Share)

“Every absolutely convergent

series is convergent”.
What about its converse?
Explore by examples.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 34

Result: Every Absolutely convergent series is convergent.

But the converse need not be true.

1
For example, σ∞𝑛=1 (−1) 𝑛 is convergent (By Leibnitz Test).
𝑛
However it is not absolutely convergent (By p – series test).

This type of series that are convergent but not absolutely convergent, called Conditionally
Convergent.

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 35

 (−1) 𝑛+1
Example 1 : Test the alternating series σ∞
𝑛=1 for the convergence.
𝑛

Solution:
(−1) 𝑛+1
We have seen above that the series σ∞
𝑛=1 is convergent by Leibnitz Test.
𝑛

∞ (−1)𝑛+1 1
But the series σ𝑛=1 = σ∞
𝑛=1 is not convergent by p-series test.
𝑛 𝑛

(−1)𝑛+1
∞
σ𝑛=1
Hence the series is Conditionally Convergent.
𝑛

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 36

 (−1) 𝑛+1
Example 2: Test the alternating series σ∞
𝑛=1 for the convergence.
𝑛2

Solution:

∞ (−1)𝑛+1 1
Since the series σ𝑛=1 = σ∞
𝑛=1 is convergent by p-series test.
𝑛2 𝑛2

𝑛+1
(−1)
The series σ∞
𝑛=1 is Absolutely Convergent.
𝑛2

Since every absolutely convergent series is convergent. Therefore, the series is convergent too.

(−1) 𝑛+1
(We have already seen that the series σ∞
𝑛=1 is convergent by Leibnitz Test).
𝑛2
25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 37
Activity-3 (Group
Activity on Wooclap)

Which of the following series are

Absolutely Convergent:

𝑛+1
(−1) sin(𝑛)
(a) σ∞
𝑛=1 , (b) σ∞
𝑛=1 ,
𝑛 𝑛2

cos(𝑛) (−1) 𝑛+1

(c) σ∞
𝑛=1 𝑛2 , (d) σ∞
𝑛=1 2𝑛 ! .

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 38

Summary of the lecture

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 39

Summary of the lecture

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 40

 Practice Questions for LMS
Test the convergence of the series σ∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 ,
where:
2
𝑛𝑛
i. 𝑎𝑛 = 2
(𝑛+1)𝑛
𝑛3
ii. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛
3
1
iii. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛
𝑛2
𝑛2 (𝑛+1)2
iv. 𝑎𝑛 =
𝑛!
1
v. 𝑎𝑛 =
𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑛)
(−1)𝑛
vi. 𝑎𝑛 =
𝑛 𝑛
(−1)𝑛+1
vii. 𝑎𝑛 =
log(𝑛+1)

25-10-2024 School of Basic Sciences 41