AP Calc BC Convergence Tests Name: Block: Seat:

nth Term Divergence Test Geometric Series

∞
The series
X X∞
an arn
n=k n=0

• diverges if n→∞
lim an 6= 0 • converges only if −1 < r < 1
a
• diverges if n→∞
lim an does not exist • the sum is
1−r
1. Determine the convergence of 1. Determine the convergence of
∞
X n−1 ∞ 
X −3
n

n=1
n+1 5
n=1

if it converges, find the sum

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p Series Test Integral Test If f (x) is a function that is

The series
∞
X 1 • continuous
np • positive
n=k

• diverges if p ≤ 1 • (eventually) decreasing

• converges if p > 1 on [k, ∞) and f (n) = an then the series
∞
X Z ∞
1. Determine the convergence of an will converge if f (x) dx converges and
n=k k
∞ Z ∞
X 3
√ diverge if f (x) dx diverges.
n=1
n n k

1. Determine the convergence of

∞
X 8 arctan n
n=1
1 + n2

Hint: use u = arctan x.

2. Determine the convergence of

∞
X 1
n=1
n ln n

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Direct Comparison Test This test is used when 2. Use the direct Comparison Test to determine the
a known series is bigger than the given series. convergence of
• If an P
has no negative terms, and
P∞a ceiling func-
∞
X 1
∞
tion k bn converges, then k an must also 3n+2
converge. n=1

• If
Pa∞n has no negative terms,
P∞ and a floor function
k bn diverges, then k an must also diverge.

1. Use the direct Comparison Test to determine the

convergence of
∞
X 1
n 2+3
n=1

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3. Use the direct Comparison Test to determine the Limit Comparison Test This is one of the most
convergence of useful tests for determining convergence. Suppose
∞
an > 0 and bn > 0 for all n > N where N is a
X 1 positive integer.
n 1/2 + 2
n=1 an
• If limn→∞ = c, 0 < c < ∞,
P bn P
then an and bn behave the same.
an
• If limn→∞ = 0, and bn converges,
P bn
then an converges.
an
• If limn→∞ = ∞, and bn diverges,
P bn
then an diverges.

1. Use the Limit Comparison Test to determine the

convergence of
∞
X 3n + 2
n=1
(n + 1)2

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2. Use the Limit Comparison Test to determine the 3. Use the Limit Comparison Test to determine the
convergence of convergence of
∞ ∞
X 1 X 2n + 1
2 n−1 n 3 − 2n
n=1 n=1

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4. Use the Limit Comparison Test to determine the Alternating Series Test for Convergence The
convergence of series
∞
X ln n ∞
X
n=1
n3/2 (−1)n+1 an = a1 − a2 + a3 − a4 + . . .
n=1

will converge if all three true:

• Each Term is positive
• The terms are eventually decreasing

• n→∞
lim an = 0

1. Use the AST to determine to determine the con-

vergence of
∞
X (−1)n
√
n=1
n

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2. Use the AST to determine to determine the con- 3. Use the AST to determine to determine the con-
vergence of vergence of
∞ ∞
X 3(−1)n X 10(−1)n
n=1
n2 + 1 n=1
n!

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4. Use the AST to determine to determine the con- Root Test The next test for convergence or di-
vergence of vergence of series works especially well for series in-
∞
X (−1)n 2n volving nth powers.
∞
en − 1 X
n=1 Let an be a series.
n=k p
If lim n |an | = L exists, then
n→∞

• If L < 1, then the series converges ,

• If L > 1 then the series diverges ,

• If L = 1 then the test is inconclusive /
1. Use the Root test to determine the convergence
of
∞  2 n
X n +1
n=1
2n2 + 1

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2. Use the Root test to determine the convergence 3. Use the Root test to determine the convergence
of of
∞ ∞
X X e3n
3n e−n
n=1 n=1
nn

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4. Use the Root test to determine the convergence Ratio Test This test is used most often on the
of AP Exam to determine convergence of a power series.
∞  n
X −1
P∞
arctan n Let n=k an be a series with positive terms and
n=1

an+1
lim =L
n→∞ an

• If L < 1, then the series converges ,

• If L > 1 then the series diverges ,
• If L = 1 then the test is inconclusive /

1. Use the Ratio Test to determine if the following

converges:
∞
X 2n
n=0
3n + 1

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2. Use the Ratio Test to determine the interval and 3. Use the Ratio Test to determine the interval and
radius of convergence (the values of x that will radius of convergence (the values of x that will
make this converge): make this converge):
∞ ∞
X nxn X
(x + 5)n
n=0
10n n=0

After the Ratio Test find the values of x that will

make the limit less than 1. This interval of values of
x that make it converge is the interval of conver-
gence. Be sure to check the end points of the interval

1. Find the interval of convergence for

∞
X nxn
n=4
4n (n2+ 1)

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2. Find the interval of convergence for 3. Find the interval of convergence for

∞ ∞
x2n (x − 2)n
X   X
(−1)n+1
n=1
2n n=4
3n

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4. Find the interval of convergence for

∞
X xn
√ n
n=1
n n3

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