D’Alembert’s Ratio Test of Convergence of Series

In this article we will formulate the D’ Alembert’s Ratio Test on convergence of a series.

Let’s start.

Statement of D’Alembert Ratio Test

A series

un+1 < r < 1

∑ un of positive terms is convergent if from and after some xed term

un+1 > 1
un , where r is a xed number. The series is divergent if
un from and

after some xed term.

D’Alembert’s Test is also known as the ratio test of convergence of a series.

Theorem

Let ∑a∞

n=1
n be a series of real numbers in R , or a series of complex numbers in C .

Let the sequence an satisfy:

lim an+1 = l
n→∞ a n

If l>1 , then ∑a
∞

n=1
n diverges.

If l<1 , then ∑a
∞

n=1
n converges absolutely.

De nitions for Generally Interested Readers

(De nition 1) An in nite series ∑ un u1 + u2 + u3 + ….+un

i.e. is said to be

convergent if Sn , the sum of its rst n terms, tends to a nite limit S as n tends to in nity.

We call S the sum of the series, and write S = nlim S

→∞ n
.
Thus an in nite series ∑ un converges to a sum S, if for any given positive number ϵ,

however small, there exists a positive integer n0 such that |Sn − S | < ϵ for all n ≥ n0 .

(De nition 2 )
If Sn → ±∞ as n→∞ , the series is said to be divergent.

Thus, ∑ un is said to be divergent if for every given positive number λ , however large,

there exists a positive integer n0 such that |Sn | > λ for all n ≥ n0 .

(De nition 3 )
If Sn does not tend to a nite limit, or to plus or minus in nity, the series is called

oscillatory.

Proof & Discussions on Ratio Test

Let a series be u1 + u2 + u3 + … … . . We assume that the above inequalities are

true.

From the rst part of the statement:

u2 u3
< r < r
u1 u2
, ……… where r <1.

u2 u3
Therefore u1 + u2 + u3 + … . = u1 (1 + u1
+ u1
+ ….)
u2 u3 u2
= u1 (1 + u + u × u + … . )
1 2 1

< u1 (1 + r + r 2 + … . . )

Therefore, ∑ un u1 (1 + r + r2 + … . . )
<

or, ∑ un < nlim

→∞
u1 (1 − rn )
1−r
Since r<1, therefore as n → ∞,  rn → 0
therefore ∑
un < 1
u
1−r
=k say, where k is a xed number.

Therefore ∑
un is convergent.

un+1 u2 u3
Since, >1 >1
then, >1
un u1 u2
, …….

Therefore u2 > u1 ,  u3 > u2 > u1 ,  u4 > u3 > u2 > u1 and so on.

Therefore ∑
un = u1 + u2 + u3 + … . +un nu1 > . By taking n su ciently large,

we see that nu1 can be made greater than any xed quantity.

Hence the series is divergent.

Academic Proof
 n : an ≠ 0 an+1
From the statement of the theorem, it is necessary that ∀ ; otherwise
an
an an
is not de ned.

+1 +1
Here,

an an denotes either the absolute value of

an , or the complex modulus of

+1

an .

Absolute Convergence

Suppose l<1 .

Let us take ϵ>0 such that l+ϵ < 1 .

N : ∀n > N : aan
Then:

∃ < l+ϵ
n–1

an )(=)( aan aan ⋯ aaN aN

Thus:

–1 +2
( +1 )
n n N –1 –2 +1

()(<)(l + ϵ aN )
n N – –1

∑l
+1
∞
By Sum of In nite Geometric Progression, + ϵn converges.

n=1
So by the the corollary to the comparison test, it follows that ∑a
∞

n=1
n converges
absolutely too.

Divergence

Suppose l>1 .

Let us take ϵ>0 small enough that l– ϵ > 1 .

N
an an ⋯ aN a )
Then, for a su ciently large , we have:

(an )(=)(
–1 +2

an an aN N
–1 –2 +1
+1

()(>)(l– ϵn N aN ) – +1
+1

l– ϵn N aN → ∞ n → ∞
– +1

∑
But +1 as .

∞
So an diverges.

n =1

Comments

un +1
When
un =1 , the test fails.

un
Another form of the test– The series

un
∑ un of positive terms is convergent if

n un n un
lim >1 and divergent if lim < 1.
→∞ +1 →∞ +1
 One should use this form of the test in the practical applications.

An Example

x x2 x3
Verify whether the in nite series + + +…. is convergent or
1.2 2.3 3.4
divergent.

Solution

xn+1 xn
un+1 = un =
(n + 1)(n + 2) n(n + 1)
We have and

un 2 1 1
lim = lim (1 + ) =
n→∞ u n+1 n x x
Therefore
n→∞
Hence, when 1/x >1 , i.e., x <1, the series is convergent and when x >1 the series is

divergent.

1 1
un = = (1 + 1/n)
−1

n(n + 1)
When x=1,
n
2

1
or, un =
1 1
(1 − n + 2 − … . . )
n
2 n
1 un
Take = vn Now lim
n→∞ vn
=1 , a non-zero nite quantity.
n2
But ∑ vn = ∑n 1
is convergent.

∑ un
2

Hence, is also convergent.