Summary of Convergence and Divergence Tests for Series

Test Series Convergence or Divergence Comments

P
1
Divergence an Diverges if lim an 6= 0 Inconclusive if lim an = 0
n=1 n!1 n!1

Useful for comparison tests

P
1
n a
Geometric ar (1) Converges to S = if |r| < 1; if the nth -term an of a series
n=0 1 r
series (2) Diverges if |r| > 1 is similar to arn .

Useful for comparison tests

P1 1
p-series p
(1) Converges if p > 1; if the nth -term an of a series
n=1 n
1
(2) Diverges if p 6 1 is similar to .
np

The function f obtained

P
1 R1
Integral an (1) Converges if 1 f (x) dx converges; from an = f (n) must be
n=1 R1
an = f (n) (2) Diverges if 1 f (x) dx diverges continuous, positive,
decreasing, and readily
integrable.

P
1
(1) If bn converges and an 6 bn The comparison series
n=1
P
1 P
1
for every n, then an converges; bn is often a geometric
n=1 n=1
P
1 P
1 P
1
Comparison an , bn (2) If bn diverges and an > bn series or a p-series. To find
n=1 n=1 n=1
P1
an > 0, bn > 0 for every n, then an diverges; bn in (3), consider only
n=1
an
(3) If lim > 0 (not 1), then the terms of an that have
n!1 bn
both series converge or both diverge. the greatest e↵ect on the
magnitude.

Inconclusive if L = 1. Useful
an+1
If lim = L (or 1), the series if an involves factorials or
n!1 an
P
1
Ratio an (1) converges (absolutely) if L < 1; nth powers. If an > 0 for
n=1
(2) diverges if L > 1 (or 1) every n, the absolute value
sign may be disregarded.

p Inconclusive if L = 1. Useful
If lim n
|an | = L (or 1), the series if an involves nth powers.
n!1
P
1
Root an (1) converges (absolutely) if L < 1; If an > 0 for every n, the
n=1
(2) diverges if L > 1 (or 1) absolute value sign may be
disregarded.

P
1
Alternating ( 1)n an Converges if ak > ak+1 for every k Applicable only to an
n=1
Series an > 0 and lim an = 0. alternating series.
n!1