CONVERGENCE AND DIVERGENCE SERIES

• Series σ∞
𝑘=0 𝑎𝑘 converges (menumpu) to a number L means:

lim 𝑆𝑛 = 𝐿. In other words, for 𝑛 large enough, 𝑆𝑛 is the same as L

𝑛→∞
to any number of decimal places you like.

• Sometimes there is no number L with lim 𝑆𝑛 = 𝐿 . In such case we

𝑛→∞
say that the series diverges (mencapah). This could happen because
the partial sums 𝑆𝑛 bounce around, or, in the case of a series like
1
σ∞
𝑘=0 , because the numbers 𝑆𝑛 get bigger and bigger without
𝑘
bound
Example
Determine whether the series converges
∞
or diverges. If converges, find the sum.
1
෍ 𝑘
2
𝑘=1
Partial sums are:
1
𝑆1 =
2
1 1 3
𝑆2 = + =
2 4 4
1 1 1 7
𝑆3 = + + =
2 4 8 8
1 1 1 1 15
𝑆4 = + + + = →1
2 4 8 16 16
Thus, the series is converges and its sum is 1
Example
Determine whether the series converges∞or diverges. If converges, find the sum.
1
෍
𝑘
𝑘=1
Harmonic series
Partial sums are:
Which arises in
1 connection with the
𝑆1 = overtones prodiced by a
1
vibrating musical string.
1 1 3
𝑆2 = + =
1 2 2
1 1 1 11
𝑆3 = + + =
1 2 3 6
1 1 1 1 25
𝑆4 = + + + =
1 2 3 4 12
Biger and bigger. Thus, the series is diverges.
 ALTERNATE SERIES
∞

෍ (−1)𝑘+1 𝑎𝑘 = 𝑎1 − 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 − 𝑎4 + ⋯
𝑘=1
∞

෍ (−1)𝑘 𝑎𝑘 = −𝑎1 + 𝑎2 − 𝑎3 + 𝑎4 + ⋯
𝑘=1

converges, if both of the following conditions hold

CONDITION 1 CONDITION 2

0 < 𝑎𝑛+1 ≤ 𝑎𝑛
lim 𝑎𝑛 = 0
𝑛→∞ for all n greater than
some n > 0
Example

Use the alternating series test to show that the following series
converge.

∞
(−1)𝑛+1 𝑛
෍
𝑛3 + 1
𝑛=1

1. lim 𝑎𝑛 = 0
𝑛→∞
𝑛 ∞
3
= 3 =0
𝑛 +1 ∞ +1
2. Decreasing?
1 2 3
𝑛 = 1; 𝑛 = 2; − 𝑛 = 3;
2 9 28
 P-SERIES

∞ 1 1 1 1
σ𝑛=1 𝑝 =1+ + + + …
𝑛 2𝑝 3𝑝 4 𝑝

p>1 p≤1

CONVERGES DIVERGES
Example

Determine whether the series converges or diverges. If converges, find

the sum.

1 1 1 1
1+3 +3 +3 + ⋯+ 3
2 3 4 𝑘

1
𝑝=
3
The series is diverges
 GEOMETRIC SERIES

A series in the form σ∞

𝑛=1 𝑎𝑟
𝑛
is called a Geometric Series with ratio r.

|r| ≥ 1
0 < |r| < 1

CONVERGES DIVERGES

a is a constant that does not contain n.

𝑎
If the series converges, it converges to
1−𝑟

∞ 𝑛 𝑎
This is usually written σ𝑛=1 𝑎𝑟 = , 0 < |r| <1.
1−𝑟
Example

Determine whether the series converges or diverges. If converges, find the

sum.
∞

෍ 𝑎𝑟 𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑎𝑟 + 𝑎𝑟 2 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑟 𝑘−1
𝑛=1
1 1 1 1 1 1
The series − + − is a geometric series with 𝑎 = and 𝑟 = −
2 4 8 16 2 2
Since 𝑟 < 1 it is convergent
Its sum is
𝑎 1/2 1
𝑆∞ = = =
1
1 − 𝑟 1 − (− ) 3
2
Group work
1. Determine whether it converges or diverges using the alternating
series test, if possible.

(1) n1

n 0 n!
2. Determine whether the series converges or diverges. If converges,
find the sum (p-series)
1 1 1
1+ 3 + 3 + 3 +⋯
2 2 3 3 4 4
3. Determine whether the series converges or diverges. If converges,
find the sum (geometric-series)
∞
𝑛−1
9 𝑛
෍5 ( )
10
𝑛=2