INFINITE SERIES

An important concept in calculus involving sequences is infinite series. For real numbers
∞
a 1 , a2 , a3 , … , we write ∑ ak =a1+ a2 +a3 + … to denote an infinite series (often simply called a
k =1
series). For example,
∞ 2

∑ k12 =1+ 212 + 312 + … and ∑ 2 k22k+1 = 31 + 29 + 19

3
+… are infinite series.
k =1 k =1

∞
The numbers a 1 , a2 , a3 , … are called terms of the series ∑ ak =a1+ a2 +a3 + …. The notation
k =1
certainly seems to suggest that we are adding the terms a 1 , a2 , a3 , … . But what does it mean to add
infinitely many terms? A meaning must be given to this. For this reason, we construct a sequence
{s n }, called the sequence of partial sums of the series. Here s1=a1 , s2=a1 +a2 , s 3=a1 +a 2+ a3, and in
general, for n ∈ N ,
n
sn=a1 +a2 +…+ an=∑ ak
k=1

Because sn is determined by adding finite number of terms, there is no confusion in understanding

the terms of the sequence {s n }. If the sequence {s n } converges, say to a number L, then the series
n ∞ ∞

∑ ak is said to converge to L and we write ∑ ¿ L. This number L is called the sum of ∑ ak . If {s n }

k =1 k =1 k =1
∞
diverges, then ∑ ak is said to diverge.
k =1

The French mathematician Augustin-Louis Cauchy was one of the most productive mathematicians
of the 19th century. Among his many accomplishments was his definition of convergence of infinite
series, a definition which is still used today. In his work Cours d ' Analyse , Cauchy considered the
sequence {s n } of partial sums of a series. He stated the following:

If, for increasing values of n, the sum sn approaches indefinitely a certain limit s, the series will
be called convergent and this limit in question will be called the sum of series.
∞
1
Result to Prove: The infinite series ∑ converges to 1.
k =1 k (k +1)

Proof Strategy: First, we consider the sequence {s n } of partial sums for this series. Since
∞

∑ k ( k1+ 1 ) = 1.2
1
+
1
+
1
2.3 3.4
+…,
k =1

1 1 1 1 1 1 2
it follows that s1= = , s 2= + = + = and
1.2 2 1.2 2.3 2 6 3
 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
s3= + + = + + = .
1.2 2.3 3.4 2 6 12 4
n
Based on these three terms, it appears that sn= for every positive
n+1
integer n . We prove that this is indeed the case.

Lemma 14.7: For every positive integer n ,

1 1 1 1 n
sn= + + + …+ = .
1.2 2.3 3.4 n ( n+1 ) n+1
1 1
Proof of Lemma 14.7 : We proceed by induction, For n=1, we have s1= = and the result
1.2 1+1
1 1 1 1 k
holds. Assume that sk = + + +…+ = , where k is a
1.2 2.3 3.4 k ( k +1 ) k +1
positive integer. We show that
1 1 1 1 k +1
sk +1= + + +…+ =
1.2 2.3 3.4 ( k +1 )( k +2 ) k + 2
Observe that

1 1 1 1 1
sk +1=
[ + +
1.2 2.3 3.4
+ …+ +
]
k ( k +1 ) ( k + 1 )( k + 2 )

k 1 k ( k +2 )+ 1 k 2 +2 k +1
¿ + = =
k +1 ( k + 1 )( k + 2 ) (k +1)(k +2) (k +1)(k +2)

( k +1 )2 k +1
=
(k + 1)( k +2) k +2
n
By the Principle of Mathematical Induction, sn= for every positive
n+1
integer n .

n
There is another way that we might have been able to see that sn= . If
n+1
we had observed that
1 1 1
a n= = −
n(n+1) n n+1
1 1 1 1 1
then a 1= =1− , a2= = − , etc. In particular,
1.2 2 2.3 2 3
sn=a1 +a2 +a 3+ …+an
 ( 12 )+( 12 − 13 )+( 13 − 14 )+…+( 1n − n+11 )=1− n+11 = n+1n
¿ 1−

lim n
Lemma to Prove n→ ∞
=1
n+1
Proof Strategy For a given ϵ > 0, we are required to find a positive integer N such that if

n> N , then |n+1n −1|< ϵ . Now

|n+1n −1|=|n−n−1
n+1 |=|
−1
|=
1
n+1 n+1
1 1
The inequality < ϵ is equivalent to n+1> , which in turn is equivalent
1+ n ϵ
1 1 1
to n> −1. If n> , then n> −1. We can now present the proof of this
ϵ ϵ ϵ
lemma.
lim n
Lemma 14.8: n→ ∞
=1
n+1
1
Proof of Lemma 14.8: Let ϵ > 0 be given. Choose N=Ceiling []
ϵ
and let n> N . Then

1 1 1 1 1
n> > −1. So n> −1. Thus, n+1> and < ϵ . Hence,
ϵ ϵ ϵ ϵ n+1

|n+1n −1|=|n+1
−1
|= n+11 < ϵ
We are now prepared to give a proof of the result.
∞
1
Result 14.9 The infinite series ∑ converges to 1.
k =1 k ( k + 1)
∞
1
Proof The n th term of the sequence {s n } of partial sums of the series ∑ is
k =1 k ( k + 1)
1 1 1 1
sn= + + + …+
1.2 2.3 3.4 n ( n+1 )
By Lemma 14.7,

1 1 1 1 n
sn= + + + …+ =
1.2 2.3 3.4 n ( n+1 ) n+1
 n
and so sn= . By Lemma 14.8,
n+1
lim n
n→ ∞
=1.
n+1
∞
1
Since nlim s n=1 , it follows that ∑ =1.
→∞
k =1 k ( k + 1)
We now turn to a divergent series.
∞
1 1 1
The series ∑ =1+ + +… is famous and is called the harmonic series.
k =1 k 2 3
Indeed, it is the best known divergent series.
∞
1
Result 14.10 The harmonic series ∑ diverges
k =1 k
∞
1
Proof Assume, to the contrary, that ∑ converges, say to the number L. For each
k =1 k
n
1
positive integer n , let sn=∑ . Hence, the sequence {s n } of partial sums
k=1 k
converges to L. Therefore, for each ϵ > 0, there exists a positive integer N
such that if n> N , then |sn −L|<ϵ . Let’s consider ϵ =1/4 and let n be the
integer n> N . Then

−1 1
< s n−L<
4 4
1 −1 1
Since 2 n> N , it is also the case that |s2 n−L|< and so < s2 n −L< .
4 4 4
Observe that

1 1 1 1 1
s2 n=s n+ +
n+1 n+2
+ …+ > sn +n
2n 2n
=s n + .
2 ( )
Hence,

1 1 1 −1 1 1
> s2 n− L> s n+ −L= ( s n−L ) + > + = ,
4 2 2 4 2 4
which is impossible.