Nanyang Technological University

School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Division of Mathematical Sciences

MH1811 Mathematics 2 Tutorial 7

1. Determine whether the series converges or diverges. If it converges, find the sum.
[Solution]
Recall that a geometric series with a common ratio r with first term being a is of the form
∞
X a
a + ar + ar2 + · · · = arn = , if |r| < 1.
1−r
n=0

It diverges if |r| ≥ 1.
9 9 9 9
(a) 9 + + 2
+ 3
+ ··· + + · · · is a geometric series, a = 9 and r = 1/100.
100 100 100 100n
Since |r| < 1, this series converges and

9 9 9 9 9 100
9+ + + + ··· + + ··· = =
100 1002 1003 100n 1 11
1−
100
9 9 9 9 100
Note: 9 + + 2
+ 3
+ ··· + n
+ · · · = 9.090909 . . . =
100 100 100 100 11

(b) 1 − 2 + 4 − 8 + · · · + (−1)n−1 2n−1 + · · · is a geometric series with first term a = 1 and

common ratio r = −2. Since |r| > 1, this series diverges.

∞ 1
P 1 1
(c) n
is a geometric series with first term a = and r = , where |r| < 1. Thus, this
n=1 5 5 5
series converges and the sum is
1
∞
X 1 51
= = .
5n 1 4
n=1 1−
5
∞ (−3)−1
 n  n
∞ (−3)n−1 ∞ −1
 
P P −3 P −3
(d) n+1
= =
n=1 4 n=1 4 4 n=1 12 4
−1 −3 1 −3 3
is a geometric series with first term a = · = and r = . Since |r| = < 1,
12 4 16 4 4
this series converges and the sum is
∞ 
−1 X −3 n

1/16 1
=  = .
12 4 −3 28
n=1 1−
4

1
 ∞
P 1
(e) 2−1
n=2 n
1 1
We express = as partial fractions:
n2 − 1 (n − 1)(n + 1)
 
1 1 1 1
= − .
n2 − 1 2 n−1 n+1
Thus, we have
m 
X 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2
= ( − )+( − )+( − )+( − )
n −1 2 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 6
n=2

1 1 1 1 1 1
+··· + ( − )+( − )+( − )
m−3 m−1 m−2 m m−1 m+1
 
1 1 1 1 1
= + − −
2 1 2 m m+1
 
1 3 1 1
= − −
2 2 m m+1
Therefore, we have
∞ m    
X 1 X 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 3
2
= lim = lim − − = = .
n − 1 m→∞ n2 − 1 m→∞ 2 2 m m+1 2 2 4
n=2 n=2

∞  
X 3 3
(f) 2
−
n (n + 1)2
n=1
Its mth partial is
m  
X 3 3
−
n2 (n + 1)2
n=1
         
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
= − + − + − +···+ − + −
1 22 22 32 32 42 (m − 1)2 m2 m2 (m + 1)2
 
3 3
= −
1 (m + 1)2
Therefore, we have

∞   m    
X 3 3 X 3 3 3 3
− = lim − = lim − =3
n2 (n + 1)2 m→∞ n2 (n + 1)2 m→∞ 1 (m + 1)2
n=1 n=1

∞
X m
X
(g) (sin(n) − sin(n + 1)) = lim (sin(n) − sin(n + 1))
m→∞
n=1 n=1
= lim ((sin 1 − sin 2) + (sin 2 − sin 3) + · · ·
m→∞
+(sin(m − 1) − sin(m)) + (sin(m) − sin(m + 1)))
= lim (sin 1 − sin(m + 1)) does not exist since lim sin(m + 1) does not exist.
m→∞ m→∞

2
 1 1 1
(h) + + + ···
1·3 3·5 5·7
1
Note that general kth term is where k = 1, 2, . . .. We may express the
(2k − 1) · (2k + 1)
kth term as
 
1 1 1 1
= − .
(2k − 1) · (2k + 1) 2 (2k − 1) (2k + 1)
Thus we have
∞   m  
1 1 1 X1 1 1 X 1 1 1
+ + + ··· = − = lim −
1·3 3·5 5·7 2 (2n − 1) (2n + 1) m→∞ 2 (2n − 1) (2n + 1)
n=1 n=1
 
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= lim ( − ) + ( − ) + ··· + ( − )+( − )
m→∞ 2 1 3 3 5 2m − 3 2m − 1 2m − 1 2m + 1
 
1 1 1 1
= lim − = .
m→∞ 2 1 2m + 1 2
∞ Z n+2 
X 1
(i) dx
n 1 + x2
n=1
X∞
tan−1 (n + 2) − tan−1 (n) , which is a telescoping series.


=
n=1
m
X
tan−1 (n + 2) − tan−1 (n)


= lim
m→∞
n=1
= lim (tan−1 (3) − tan−1 (1)) + (tan−1 (4) − tan−1 (2)) + (tan−1 (5) − tan−1 (3)) + · · ·
m→∞
+(tan (m) − tan−1 (m − 2)) + (tan−1 (m + 1) − tan−1 (m − 1)) + (tan−1 (m + 2) − tan−1 (m))
−1

= lim − tan−1 (1) − tan−1 (2) + tan−1 (m + 1) + tan−1 (m + 2)

m→∞
π π π
= − − tan−1 (2) + +
4 2 2
3π −1
= − tan (2)
4

.............................................................................................
∞ ∞
X n−1 X
2. If the nth partial sum of a series an is sn = , find an and an .
n+1
n=1 n=1
[Solution] Note that a1 = s1 = 0. For n ≥ 2, we have an = sn − sn−1 . Thus, we have

n−1 n−2 n(n − 1) − (n + 1)(n − 2) (n2 − n) − (n2 − n − 2) 2

an = − = = = .
n+1 n n(n + 1) n(n + 1) n(n + 1)

∞
X n−1 1 − 1/n
Note that an = lim sn = lim lim = 1.
n→∞ n→∞ n + 1 n→∞ 1 + 1/n
n=1
.............................................................................................

3
3. Express the repeating number 0.234 = 0.234234234 . . . as the ratio of two integers. (Hint:
Rewrite the decimal as a geometric series or refer to an example in Thomas’ Calculus.)
[Solution] Note that we have
234 234 234
0.234 = 0.234234234 . . . = + + + ···
1000 10002 10003

 
234 1 1 1
= 1+ + 2
+ + ···
1000 1000 1000 10003
 
234  1
 234 26
= = =
1000
 1  999 111
1−
1000
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4. Find the value of c if

∞
(1 + c)−n = 2.
X

n=2
 n ∞
−n 1
(1 + c)−n is a geometric series with
X
[Solution] Note that (1 + c) = the series
1+c
n=2
1
common ratio r = and its first term is a = (1 + c)−2 (when n = 2).
1+c
Given the sum of the series is 2, we have

a (1 + c)−2 1
= = = 2.
1−r 1 − 1/(1 + c) c(1 + c)
p √
2 −2 ± 4 − 4(2)(−1) −1 ± 3
Solving for c, we have 2c + 2c − 1 = 0, which gives c = = .
2(2) 2
√ !
1 ± 3
Now, we have r = (1 + c)−1 where 1 + c = .
2
√
−1 + 3
Since |r| < 1 for convergence of a geometric series, we must have |1 + c| > 1, i.e., c = .
2
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4
5. Which of the following series converge, and which diverge? Justify your answers. If a series
converges, find its sum.
[SOLUTION]
∞
X n(n + 1)
(a)
(n + 2)(n + 3)
n=1
n(n + 1) 1(1 + (1/n))
Note that lim = lim = 1 6= 0.
(n + 2)(n + 3)
n→∞ n→∞ (1 + (2/n))(1 + (3/n))
By the nth Term Divergence Test, the series diverges.
∞
X en
(b)
en + n
n=1
en ex ex 1
Note that lim n
= lim x
= lim x
= lim = 1 6= 0.
n→∞ e + n x→∞ e + x |{z} x→∞ e + 1 x→∞ 1 + (1/ex )
| {z } L0 HRule
∞
∞
By the nth Term Divergence Test, the series diverges.
∞
X ∞
X
(c) cos nπ = (−1)n
n=1 n=1
Note that lim cos nπ does not exist.
n→∞
By the nth Term Divergence Test, the series diverges.
∞ ∞ ∞ 
cos nπ X (−1)n X −1 n

X 1 5
(d) n
= n
= = −1 =
5 5 5 1−( 5 ) 6
n=0 n=0 n=0

∞
X 1
(e) ln
3n
n=1
1
Note that lim ln = −∞ does not exist.
3n
n→∞
By the nth Term Divergence Test, the series diverges.

∞ ∞ 
2n + 3 n

X X 2 n 3 n
(f) = ( ) +( )
4n 4 4
n=1 n=1
∞
X 2 n X 3 n
  ∞  
1/2 3/4
= + = + =1+3=4
4 4 1 3
n=1 n=1 1− 1−
2 4
∞ 
1 n
X 
(g) 1−
n
n=1
Note that
−1
ln (1 − (1/x)) lim
lim x→∞ 1
1 n 1 x (1 − )
   
lim 1 − = lim 1 − =e x→∞ 1/x =e x = e−1 6= 0
n→∞ n x→∞ x
By the nth Term Divergence Test, the series diverges.

5
 ∞
X nn
(h)
n!
n=1
nn n n n n n nn
Note that = · ··· · · > n. Thus, → ∞ as n → ∞.
n! n n−1 3 2 1 n!
By the nth Term Divergence Test, the series diverges.

∞
X n
(i) ln
2n + 1
n=1
n 1 1
Note that lim ln = lim ln = ln 6= 0.
n→∞ 2n + 1 n→∞ 2 + (1/n) 2
By the nth Term Divergence Test, the series diverges.

∞ ∞  π n
X enπ X e eπ
(j) = , which is a geometric series with common ratio r = > 1. Thus,
π ne πe πe
n=0 n=0
the given series is divergent. (Use a calculator to check that eπ ≈ 23.14069263 and
π e ≈ 22.45915772.)

P∞ en
(k)
n=1 n
en ex ex
Note that lim = lim = lim = ∞.
n→∞ n x→∞ x x→∞ 1
By the nth Term Divergence Test, the series diverges.

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6
6. Determine whether the following alternating series converge or diverge.
∞
(−1)n an , where
P
Remark We use Alternating Series Test to verify that an alternating series
n=1
an > 0, is convergent. (We verify an is decreasing and lim an = 0.
n→∞

P∞ (−1)n−1
(a) √
n=1 n
1
[SOLUTION] The series is alternating in sign with an = √ > 0, which is decreasing for
n
n ≥ 1. We also have
1
lim √ = 0.
n→∞ n
P∞ (−1)n−1
By the alternating series test, the series √ is convergent.
n=1 n

∞ 3n − 1
(−1)n−1
P
(b)
n=1 2n + 1
[SOLUTION] Note that

3n − 1 3 − (1/n) 3
lim = lim =
n→∞ 2n + 1 n→∞ 2 + (1/n) 2

3n − 1
Therefore, the limit lim (−1)n−1 does not exist.
n→∞ 2n + 1
∞ 3n − 1
(−1)n−1
P
By the nth term Divergence Test, the series diverges.
n=1 2n + 1

∞ ln n
(−1)n−1
P
(c)
n=1 n
ln n
[SOLUTION] This alternating series has an = > 0 for n ≥ 2.
n
ln x
Let f (x) = on (2, ∞).
x
1 − ln x
Then f 0 (x) = < 0 for x > 2.
x2
Thus, the sequence {an } is decreasing for n ≥ 3.
Note that
ln n ln x (1/x)
lim an = lim = lim = lim = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ n x→∞ x |{z} x→∞ 1
0 LH
∞ ln n
(−1)n−1
P
By the alternating series test, the series converges.
n=1 n

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7
7. Determine if the p-series is convergent or divergent.
[Solution]
P∞ 1
(a) 3
: converges, since p = 3 > 1.
n=1 n
∞ ∞ 1
n−2/3 =
P P
(b) 2/3
diverges since p = 2/3 < 1.
n=1 n=1 n
P∞ 1
(c) π
converges since p = π > 1.
n=1 n
.............................................................................................

8. Use the Integral Test to determine if each of the following series converges or diverges. Be sure
to check the conditions of the Integral Test are satisfied.
[Solution]
∞
P 1
(a) 2
n=3 n(ln n)
1
Consider the function f (x) = on [3, ∞).
x(ln x)2
Note that f (x) > 0 and f (x) is decreasing since it is a reciprocal of the increasing function
x(ln x)2 on [3, ∞).
We evaluate the following integral:

t
−1 t
Z  
1 1 1 1
2
dx = = − −→ as t → ∞
3 x(ln x) ln x 3 ln 3 ln t ln 3
Z ∞
1
Thus, the improper integral dx converges.
3 x(ln x)2
P∞ 1
By the integral test, the series is convergent.
n=3 n(ln n)2

P∞ n2
(b) n/3
n=1 e
x2
Consider the function f (x) = > 0 on [7, ∞).
ex/3
2xex/3 − (x2 /3)ex/3 x(6 − x)
Note that f 0 (x) = 2x/3
= < 0 for x > 7.
e 3ex/3
The function f (x) is decreasing on (7, ∞).
We evaluate the following integral:
t t it Z t
x2
Z Z h
dx = x2 e−x/3 dx = (−3e−x/3 )x2 − (−3e−x/3 )2x dx
7 ex/3 7 7 7

  h it Z t
−t/3 −x/3
= (−3e 2
)t − (−3(7 ))e 2 (−7/3)
− 2 x(9e ) +2 (9e−x/3 ) dx
7 7
     
= (−3e−t/3 )t2 + 147e(−7/3) ) − 18 te−t/3 − 7e−7/3 − 54 e−t/3 − e−7/3

8
 t 1
Since lim = lim = 0 and
t→∞ et/3 t→∞ (1/3)et/3

t2 2t 2
lim e−t/3 t2 = lim t/3 = lim t/3
= lim = 0, we have
t→∞ t→∞ e t→∞ (1/3)e t→∞ (1/9)et/3
Z ∞ 2 Z t 2
x x
x/3
dx = lim x/3
dx = 327e−7/3 < ∞.
7 e t→∞ 7 e
P∞ n2
By integral test, we conclude that the series n/3
converges.
n=1 e
∞
P n−4
(c)
n=2 n2 − 2n + 1
n−4 n−4
Note that the term an = = ≥ 0 for n ≥ 4.
n2
− 2n + 1 (n − 1)2
x−4 x−4
Consider the function f (x) = 2 = on (4, ∞), with
x − 2x + 1 (x − 1)2
(x2 − 2x + 1) − (x − 4)(2x − 2) −(x2 − 8x) − 7
f 0 (x) = =
(x − 1)4 (x − 1)4
−(x − 4)2 + 9
= < 0 on (7, ∞).
(x2 − 2x + 1)2
The function f (x) is decreasing on (7, ∞).
Z ∞
We proceed to determine whether the improper integral f (x) dx is convergent. We
7
first evaluate the integral:
Z m m m
x−4 −3
Z Z
1
f (x) dx = 2
dx = + dx
7 7 x − 2x + 1 7 (x − 1) (x − 1)2

 m  
3 3 3
= ln |x − 1| + = ln(m − 1) + − (ln 6 + ) −→ ∞ as m → ∞.
(x − 1) 7 (m − 1) 6

∞
P n−4
By integral test, we conclude that the series diverges. Hence the series,
n=7 n2 − 2n + 1
∞
P n−4
2
also diverges.
n=2 n − 2n + 1

Remark We can also apply limit comparison test, comparing with the harmonic series,
to conclude that this series is divergent.

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