Unit 1 – Limits Week 3

Limits Week 3 Notes

February 14-18

Lesson 1.7 : Infinite Series

Lesson Objectives:
• Examine series where the number of terms approaches infinity

Recall Practice:
Determine the limit (if it exists) 4𝑥 2 − 6
1 lim
lim 𝑥→∞ 1 + 2𝑥 2
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2

INFINITE SERIES
The sum of an infinite sequence.

DIVERGENT SERIES
Example: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + ⋯

There is no answer to the sum of a divergent series (or we say the sum is diverging)
CONVERGENT
1 1 1
Example: 2 + 4 + 8 + ⋯

There is a single answer.

Unit 1 – Limits Week 3

Series Sum
1 1 3
+
2 4 4
1 1 1 7
+ +
2 4 8 8
1 1 1 1 15
+ + +
2 4 8 16 16

Does the sum appear to approach something?

SIGMA NOTATION

 is the Greek symbol capital Sigma

It is often used to represent the sum of something

𝑛

∑ 𝑡𝑖 = 𝑡1 + 𝑡2 + 𝑡3 + ⋯ 𝑡𝑛
𝑖=1

EXAMPLE 1
Determine the value of:
5

∑ 2𝑛
𝑛=1

∑ 𝑛2 + 𝑛
𝑛=1
Unit 1 – Limits Week 3

GEOMETRIC SEQUENCES
Geometric Sequences are based on multiplying each term by a common ratio r, starting
at term a.

The formula is: t n = arn−1

a) 3, 6, 12, 24, … r=

b) 2, 1, , ,… r=

INFINITE SERIES
A exists if |r| < 1. In other words:

EXAMPLE 2


a) Will there be an answer to: 

n
2(3) ?
n =1

 n
1
b) Will there be an answer to:  2  
n =1  3 
?
Unit 1 – Limits Week 3

HOW TO DETERMINE THE SOLUTION TO AN INFINITE SERIES


a
S =  ar n −1 = , for |r|<1
n =1 1−r

EXAMPLE 3
 n
1
Determine the solution to: 
n =1
2 
3
.

EXAMPLE 4

27
Find the sum of: 16 -12 + 9 - +…
4

Do pg 56 #1, 2, 4
Unit 1 – Limits Week 3

Looking Ahead:
Tuesday Jan 15 Limits Assignment – Due 9 PM
Wednesday Jan 16 Review
Thursday Jan 17 Review
Friday Jan 18 Limits Exam

What Can I Do To Check my Understanding?

 Textbook Problems
o Pg 58-60 #1-6, 8-10, 12, 13
o Pg 61 #1-6
 Limits Reviews on Moodle
 Limits Assignment

Unit Outcomes:
1. I can determine the value of a limit
a. Determining limits by substitution
b. Determining limits by simplifying
c. Determining one-sided limits
d. Determining infinite limits
2. I can determine limits from a graph and determine continuity
a. Determine a limit from the graph of a function
b. Determining when a limit exists
c. Determine where the graph of a function is discontinuous
3. I can find the slope and equation of a tangent line using limits and apply
this knowledge towards other rates of change
a. Be able to write the equation for a line using the slope and a point, or two
points
b. Be able to calculate the slope of a tangent line at a point using either
Formula 1 or Formula 2
c. Apply these concepts to contexts such as velocity
4. I can use limits to evaluate infinite sequences and series
a. Determine when a sequence is convergent
b. Determine the sum of an infinite series