PART 5: INFINITE SEQUENCES AND SERIES LECTURE 5.6 ABS. CONV.

& RATIO, ROOT TEST 135

5.1 Absolute Convergence and the Ratio and Root Test

(This lecture corresponds to Section 11.6 of Stewart’s Calculus.)

1. Quote. ”You cannot always run at your best.” (Bill

Rodgers, American runner, 1947-)
2. Problem. Test if ∞
Σ n2n
n!
n=1
is convergent or divergent.

3. Definition. A series Σ an is called absolutely convergent if the series of absolute values Σ |an|
is convergent.
∞ n+1
1 1 1 Σ (−1)
1 + 2 + is absolutely convergent since
For example, the series 1 − 3 52
n2
n=1
−...=
22 −
∞ 42
is convergent.
Σ n12
n=1

Σ
4. Definition. A seriesa n is called conditionally convergent if it is convergent but not absolutely
convergent.
∞ n+1
1 1 1 1
We have already seen that the series 1− + − + −. . . = Σ (−1)
is convergent, but we know
n
n=1
∞ n+1
2 3 4 5
Σ 1n Σ (−1) n
that (the harmonic series) is divergent. Therefore we say the series n=1 is conditionally
convergent.

5. Theorem - Absolute Convergence vs. Convergence.

If a series Σ an is absolutely convergent then it is convergent.
PART 3: TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION LECTURE 3.3 TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTIONS 13
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