Series using Integral Test

Christine Kim
G12

Integral Test
Let ​a​n​= ​f(n)​, where ​f(x)​ is positive, decreasing, and continuous for x ≥ 1 .
The integral test is valid if, ​f(x)​ is positive, decreasing, and continuous for x ≥ M for some ​M​.

The convergence of the series is determined by the convergence of

∞ ∞
i) If ∑ b​n c​ onverges, then ∑ a​n ​also​ ​converges.
n=1 n=1

∞ ∞
ii)​If ∑ a​n d​ iverges, then ∑ b​n ​also​ ​diverges.
n=1 n=1

Practice Problems
∞
∑ x
1. Determine . Converge or Diverge?
x2 +1
x=1
Solution:​ It’s positive and continuous . The equation itself is a rational function.
x −x2 +1
-> f(x)= 2
x +1
​
f’(x)= 2
(x +1)2
so, it’s decreasing at x=1 by using the sign chart. Since the

condition all satisfies positive, decreasing, and continuous, we can assume that “Integral Test”

worked out. lim To determine if it’s divergent or convergent, we have to

b→∞
use u-substitution. Let u = x2 + 1 , du = 2x * dx , x * dx = 1/2 du . After u-sub, we can set up

a new integral, which will be like this. 21 ∫ u1 du = 21 ln ||x2 + 1|| . ​When we evaluate,

lim 21 ln ||x2 + 1|| ​with interval [1,b]​ = lim 1

2 ln ||b2 + 1|| - 12 ln |2| = ∞ ​(Diverges)
b→∞ b→∞
 ∞
∑ 1
2. Determine
5x
. ​Converge or Diverge?
x=1

Solution: ​ The equation is a exponential function. It’s positive, continuous, and decreasing so

“Integral Test” works out. = lim

b→∞

[ ] with the interval [1,b].

−x
5
lim −ln5
b→∞

1 1
As we evaluate it, − lim
ln5 * 5b
− ln5*5 =​ ​ converges at 1
ln5*5
b→∞
↓
(​becomes 0)

∞
∑ lnx
3. Determine
x
​Converge or Diverge?
x=3

Solution:​ The equation is continuous and positive. It’s also decreasing at the interval [3, ∞ ].
1−lnx
f’(x)​=
x2
​f’(x)<0. It satisfies all three conditions, so “Integration Test” works.

= lim
b→∞

1 (lnx)2
U-sub u=ln(x) ​ du= x ∫ u * du= 12 u2 lim
b→∞ 2 ​ ith interval [3,b].
w

(ln b)2 (ln 3)2

lim 2 − 2 =​ ∞ (Diverges)
b→∞

Additional Sources
1. https://www.khanacademy.org/math/calculus-home/series-calc/basic-conver
gence-tests-calc/v/integral-test-divergence
2. https://math.oregonstate.edu/home/programs/undergrad/CalculusQuestStudy
Guides/SandS/SeriesTests/integral.html
3. https://study.com/academy/lesson/using-the-integral-test-for-series-converge
nce.html
4. https://www.khanacademy.org/math/calculus-home/series-calc/basic-conver
gence-tests-calc/e/integral-test
 1. Dichotomy Theorem for Positive Series.
∞
If S= ∑ a​n​ is a positive series, then there are two
n=1
possibilities
1) The partial sums S​N​ are bounded above. In this case,
S converges.
2) The partial sums S​N ​ are not bounded above. In this
case, S diverges.

2. ​Integral Test
Let a​n​= f(n), where f(x) is positive, decreasing , and
continuous for x ≥ 1 .
∞ ∞
1) If ∫ f (x) dx converges, then ∑ a​n​ converges.
1 n=1
∞ ∞
2) If ∫ f (x) dx diverges, then ∑ a​n​ diverges.
1 n=1

3. ​Comparison Test
Assume that there exists M>0 such that 0 ≤ a n ≤ b​n​ for n ≥
M.
∞ ∞
1) If ∑ b​n​ converges, then ∑ a​n​ converges.
n=1 n=1
∞ ∞
2) If ∑ a​n​ diverges, then ∑ b​n​ diverges.
n=1 n=1
3 Practice Questions
∞
1
1. Determine whether ∑ n2 +81
diverge or converge
n=0
 ∞
1
2. Determine whether ∑ 5n−2 converge or diverge
n=1

∞
1
3.Determine whether ∑ n+1 converge or diverge
n=0
4 sources to help your understanding
1.​Khan Academy Comparison Test

2. Khan Academy Comparison Test Problem

3. Khan Academy Integral Test

4. Khan Academy Integral Test Problem

Paul’s Online Math Notes explanation of Limit Comparison Test
Khan Academy Limit Comparison Test
Limit Comparison Test Explanation
Patrickjmt Example Problem for Limit Comparison Test
 P-series Convergence Test
G12 Anna Lee

Convergence of 𝑝- Series
"
The infinite series %
#&" $ converges if 𝑝 > 1 and diverges otherwise.
#

Resources
• https://www.khanacademy.org/math/calculus-home/series-calc/basic-convergence-
tests-calc/v/p-series-convergence

• https://www.khanacademy.org/math/ap-calculus-bc/bc-series/bc-basic-conv-
tests/a/proof-of-p-series-convergence-criteria

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL3y7lj-_d4

• https://17calculus.com/infinite-series/pseries/

Practice Problems
%
3
1.
𝑛-//
#&"

% %
3 1
=3
𝑛-// 𝑛-//
#&" #&"

-
Based on p-series test, as p value ( ) is greater than 1, the series converges.
/

The series can be proved by integral test.

4
3
lim 𝑑𝑛
4→% " 𝑛-//
:
= lim −6𝑛9; 4
"
4→%
"
= lim −6𝑎9/ + 6
4→%

=0+6
=6
Thus, the series is convergent.
 %
𝑛
2.
𝑛@/A
#&"

% %
𝑛 1
=
𝑛@/A 𝑛"/A
#&" #&"

"
Based on p-series test, as p value ( ) is less than 1, the series diverges.
A

The series can be proved by integral test.

4
1
lim 𝑑𝑛
4→% " 𝑛"/A
4 - 𝑎
= lim 𝑛A
4→% 3 1
4 - 4
= lim 𝑎A −
4→% 3 3
=∞
Thus, the series is divergent.

3. 𝑛9A
#&"

% %
9A
1
𝑛 =
𝑛A
#&" #&"

Based on p-series test, as p value (4) is greater than 1, the series converges.
The series can be proved by integral test.
4
1
lim 𝑑𝑛
4→% " 𝑛A
1 𝑎
= lim − 𝑛9-
4→% 3 1
1 1
= lim − 𝑎9- +
4→% 3 3
1
=0+
3
1
=
3
Thus, the series is convergent.