107

A nite series is the sum of all the terms in the nite sequence {a1, a2, a3, ..., an}.

The sum of the rst n terms of an A.P. with the rst term a and the common difference d is
n
called an arithmetic series. It is given by Sn = [2a + (n 1)d ].
2

The sum of the rst n terms of a geometric progression with the rst term a and the common
n

a(1 r )
1 r
n
a(r 1)
r 1

ratio r is called a geometric series. It is given by Sn =

if r 1
.
if r 1

Given an innite sequence {an}, the summation expression

a
n =1

= a1 + a2 + a3 + is called

an innite series. An innite series may be convergent or divergent.

If

n =1

an = A and

n =1

bn = B, then

( a

+ bn ) = A + B,

bn ) = A B, and

n =1

( a
n =1

ca
n =1

= cA , where c is a constant.

nth Term Test for Divergence

If a sequence {an} does not converge to 0, the corresponding series

n =1

Equivalently, if

a
n =1

diverges.

is convergent, the sequence {an} must converge to 0.

The Ratio Test

a
Suppose that r = lim n +1
n a
n

r 1
exists. Then
r 1

converges

n =1

.
n

diverges

n =1

Maclaurins Theorem
If f(x) is dened at x = 0, then
f(x) =

(n )

f (0 )
f (0 )
f (0 ) 2
f (0 ) 3
f (0 ) n
+
x+
x +
x ++
x + ,
0!
1!
2!
3!
n!

where f (n) (x) is the nth derivative of f(x).

Binomial Theorem
If n is a positive integer, then the expansion of (x + y)n is given by
n
n n1
n
n
(x + y)n = x n + x n1y + x n2y2 + + x nryr + +
xy + yn.
2
r
n 1
1

05_m2c5_mathcape2_crb.indd 107

Chapt er 5 : Seri es

3/2/10 2:46:44 PM