Exercise Set 6.

2
Dr. Sunil Kumar Yadav

Question 0.1. For each of the following, determine whether the series converges absolutely, converges con-
ditionally, or diverges.

(a). ∑∞ n+1 1 .
n=1 (−1) 2n−1
n+1 1  = ∞ 1 1
 
Solution: Consider the series ∑∞
n=1 (−1)

2n−1 ∑n=1 2n−1 . Then for the series ∑∞
n=1 n , by limit com-
parison test, we have

1/(2n − 1) n
lim = lim
n→∞ 1/n n→∞ 2n − 1
1
= .
2
n+1 1  is divergent as the series ∞ 1 is divergent (by
 
So by limit comparison test, the series ∑∞n=1 (−1)

2n−1 ∑n=1 n
p−series test).
n+1 1 , consider the sequence {a } =
 1
Again from series ∑∞n=1 (−1) 2n−1 n 2n−1 . It is clear that the sequance
{an } is decreasing and
1
lim an = lim = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ 2n − 1

So, by alternating series test, the series ∑∞ n+1 1 is convergent.

n=1 (−1) 2n−1
n+1 1 n+1 1  is divergent, the
 
Since the series ∑∞ n=1 (−1)
∞ 
2n−1 is convergent and the series ∑n=1 (−1) 2n−1
series ∑∞ n+1 1 converges conditionally.
n=1 (−1) 2n−1

(b). ∑∞ n cos nπ .
n=1 (−1) n

Solution: See the following calculation:

∞
cos nπ cos π cos 2π cos 3π cos 4π
∑ (−1)n = (−1)1 + (−1)2 + (−1)3 + (−1)4 +···
n=1 n 1 2 3 4
1 1 1 1
= + + + +···
1 2 3 4
∞
1
= ∑ .
n=1 n

1 n cos nπ is divergent.
So by p−series test, the series ∑∞ ∞
n=1 n is divergent and hence the series ∑n=1 (−1) n

(c). ∑∞ n n
n=1 (−1) 2n−1 .

1
  n n 
 n
Solution: Consider the series ∑∞ ∞
n=1 (−1) 2n−1 = ∑n=1 2n−1 . Since


n 1
lim = 6= 0,
n→∞2n − 1 2
n
 n n 

the series ∑∞ ∞ 
n=1 2n−1 is divergent, that is, the series ∑n=1 (−1) 2n−1 is divergent.
Again from series ∑∞ n n
n=1 (−1) 2n−1 , consider the sequence
   
n 2 3 4 5
{an } = = 1, , , , , . . . .
2n − 1 3 5 7 9

It is clear that the sequance {an } is decreasing but

n 1
lim an = lim = 6= 0.
n→∞ n→∞ 2n − 1 2
So we can not apply alternating series test.
Now, to check the series ∑∞ n n
n=1 (−1) 2n−1 is convergent or divergent, we apply n−th term test. Let n−th
n
term of the series is bn = (−1)n 2n−1 . So
(
1
n n 2 x is even
lim bn = lim (−1) =
n→∞ n→∞ 2n − 1 − 21 if x is odd.

This implies limn→∞ bn does not exist. So, by n−th term test, the series ∑∞ n n
n=1 (−1) 2n−1 is divergent. Note
that the given series is neither converges absolutely nor converges conditionally but it is divergent.

(−1) n −(−1)n+1
(d). ∑∞
n=1 n+1 .

Solution: See the following calculations:

∞
(−1)n − (−1)n+1 (−1)1 − (−1)2 (−1)2 − (−1)3 (−1)3 − (−1)4
∑ = + + +···
n=1 n+1 2 3 4
−2 2 −2
= + + +···
2 3 4
∞
2
= ∑ (−1)n .
n=1 n + 1

Now it is enough to check that the series ∑∞ n 2

n=1 (−1) n+1 is converges absolutely or converges condition-
ally or divergent.
n 2  2 ∞ 1
 
Consider the series ∑∞ ∞
n=1 (−1) n+1 = ∑n=1 n+1 . Then for the series ∑n=1 n , by limit comparison test,

we have
2/(n + 1) 2n
lim = lim
n→∞ 1/n n→∞ n+1
= 2.
n 2  ∞ 1
 
So by limit comparison test, the series ∑∞
n=1 (−1) n+1 is divergent as the series ∑n=1 n is divergent (by

p−series test).

2
 n 2 2

Again from series ∑∞n=1 (−1) n+1 , consider the sequence {an } = n+1 . It is clear that the sequance
{an } is decreasing and
2
lim an = lim = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ n + 1

So, by alternating series test, the series ∑∞ n 2

n=1 (−1) n+1 is convergent.
2 n 2 
n
 
Since the series ∑n=1 (−1) n+1 is convergent and the series ∑∞
∞
n=1 (−1) n+1 is divergent, the series

n −(−1)n+1
n+1 1 converges conditionally, that is the series ∞ (−1)
∑∞
n=1 (−1) 2n−1 ∑n=1 n+1 converges conditionally.

(e). ∑∞ n n
n=1 (−1) n2 +1 .
 
n n = ∞ 1
Solution: Consider the series ∑∞  ∑n=1 n2n+1 . Then for the series ∑∞
n=1 n , by limit compari-

n=1 (−1) n2 +1
son test, we have
n/(n2 + 1) n2
lim = lim
n→∞ 1/n n→∞ n2 + 1
= 1.
 
n n  ∞ 1
So by limit comparison test, the series ∑∞ n=1 (−1) n2 +1  is divergent as the series ∑n=1 n is divergent (by

p−series test). n o
Again from series ∑∞ n n n
n=1 (−1) n2 +1 , consider the sequence {an } = n2 +1 . It is clear that the sequance
{an } is decreasing and
n
lim an = lim 2 = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ n + 1

So, by alternating series test, the series ∑∞ n n

n=1 (−1) n2 +1 is convergent.  
Since the series ∑∞ n n ∞  n n 
n=1 (−1) n2 +1 is convergent and the series ∑n=1 (−1) n2 +1  is divergent, the series
n n
∑∞
n=1 (−1) n2 +1 converges conditionally.

(−1) n
(f). ∑∞
n=2 n2 +(−1)n .

Solution: Consider the series

(g). ∑∞ n −n
n=1 (−1) e .

Solution: Given series is ∑∞ n −n −x is decreasing func-

n=1 (−1) e . As we know that the exponential function e
−n
tion over R. So for n ∈ N, the sequence {e } is decreasing and also

lim e−n = 0.
n→∞

So by alternating series test, the series ∑∞ n −n is convergent.

n=1 (−1) e
Now consider the series of positive terms ∑n=1 |(−1)n e−n | = ∑∞
∞ −n −n
n=1 e . Let an = e . Then

lim (an )1/n = lim (e−n )1/n = lim e−1 = e−1 < 1.
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞
n −n n −n is absolutely
By n−th root test, the series ∑∞
n=1 |(−1) e | is convergent and hence the series ∑∞
n=1 (−1) e
convergent also.

(h). ∑∞ n sin n
n=1 (−1) n3/2 .

3
    
Solution: Consider the sequence ∑∞
 n sin n  = ∞  sin n  As we know that
n=1 (−1) n3/2
 ∑n=1 n3/2 .

 
 sin n  1
 n3/2  ≤ n3/2 for every n ∈ N.
 

   
 sin n  1 ∞  sin n 
If we consider the series ∑∞ ∞
n=1  n3/2  and ∑n=1 n3/2 , then, by comparison test, the series ∑n=1  n3/2  is
 
1  sin n  1
convergent because the series ∑∞
n=1 n3/2 is convergent (by p− series test) and  n3/2
 ≤ n3/2 for every n ∈ N.
So the series ∑∞ n sin n
n=1 (−1) n3/2 is absolutely convergent.

(i). ∑∞ n 1
n=2 (−1) ln n .

Solution: As we know that ln x function is increasing, we have ln n < ln(n + 1) for every n ∈ N. This implies
1 1
< for every n ∈ N.
ln(n + 1) ln n

So it is clear that the sequence {an } = ln1n is decreasing and also



1
lim = 0.
n→∞ ln n
So, by alternating series test, the series ∑∞ n 1
n=2 (−1) ln n is convergent.
n 1  ∞  1  1
  
Now consider the sequence of positive terms ∑∞ ∞
n=2 (−1) ln n = ∑n=2 ln n = ∑n=2 ln n . As we know that


ln n < n for all n ∈ N.

This implies
1 1
< for all n ∈ N.
n ln n
1 ∞ 1 1
If we consider the series ∑∞ ∞
n=2 ln n and ∑n=2 n , then, by comparison test, the series ∑n=2 ln n is divergent
1 1 1
because the series ∑∞ n=2 n is divergent (by p− series test) and n < ln n for every n ∈ N. So the series
∞ n 1
∑n=2 (−1) ln n is neither absolutely convergent nor conditionally convergent. It is convergent only.

n tan−1 n
(j). ∑∞
n=1 (−1) n .
−1
Solution: We know that tan−1 x is an increasing function over R. Consider f (x) = tanx x . Now we check
whether the function f (x) is increasing or decreasing in the interval [1, ∞). See the following calculation:
x
1+x2
− tan−1 x
f 0 (x) = .
x2

As we know that x + 1x ≥ 2 for every x ∈ (0, ∞). This implies

1 1
≤ for every x ∈ (0, ∞)
x + 1x 2
x 1
or ≤ for every x ∈ (0, ∞).
1 + x2 2

4
Also we know that tan−1 x ≥ 1 for x ∈ [1, ∞). This implies
x
− tan−1 x < 0 for x ∈ [1, ∞).
1 + x2
tan−1 x
So we have f 0 (x) < 0 for x ∈ [1,n∞). Thato means the function f (x) = x is decreasing for x ∈ [1, ∞). This
tan−1 n
implies that the sequence an = n is decreasing. Also

tan−1 n
lim an = lim = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ n
n tan −1 n
So, by alternating series test, the series ∑∞
n=1 (−1) n is convergent.

(k). ∑∞ n −n
n=1 (−1) ne .

Solution: Consider the function f (x) = xe−x . Now we find the interval in which the given function is
decreasing. See the following calculation:

f (x) = xe−x
f 0 (x) = e−x − xe−x
= (1 − x)e−x .

It is clear that if we take x ∈ [1, ∞), f 0 (x) ≤ 0. So the function f (x) is decreasing for x ∈ [1, ∞). This implies
that the sequence an = {ne−n } is decreasing and also

n 1
lim an = lim ne−n = lim n
= lim n = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞ e n→∞ e

So by alternating series test, the series ∑∞ n −n is convergent.

n=1 (−1) ne
Now consider the series of positive terms ∑n=1 |(−1)n ne−n | = ∑∞
∞ −n
n=1 ne . Since this is the sequence of
positive terms, we can apply the n−th root test. We have

lim (an )1/n = lim (ne−n )1/n = lim n1/n e−1 = e−1 < 1.
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞

So n−th root test implies that the series ∑∞ n −n ∞ n −n

n=1 |(−1) ne | is convergent and hence the series ∑n=1 (−1) ne
converges absolutely also.

Question 0.2. Test for the convergence of each of the following series, determining in the process for which
series the ratio test fails.

n+1
(a). ∑∞
n=0 2n .
n+1 n+2
Solution: We have to apply ratio test, let an = 2n . Then we have an+1 = 2n+1
. So

 n + 2 2n 
   
 = lim 1 · n + 2 = 1 < 1.
 an+1 
lim   = lim  n+1 ·

n→∞  an  n→∞ 2 n + 1  n→∞ 2 n + 1 2
n+1
So, by ratio test, the series ∑∞
n=1 2n is absolutely convergent and hence convergent.

5
 2
(b). ∑∞ n (n!)
n=1 (−1) (2n)! .

(n!) 2 2
Solution: Let an = (−1)n (2n)! . Then we have an+1 = (−1)n+1 ((n+1)!)
(2n+2)! . So

((n + 1)!)2
   
 an+1  (2n)! 
lim (−1)n+1

lim   = ·
n→∞ an  n→∞ (2n + 2)! (−1)n (n!)2 
((n + 1)!)2 
 
 (2n)!
= lim − ·
n→∞ (2n + 2)! (n!)2 
(n + 1)2
= lim
n→∞ (2n + 2)(2n + 1)
1
= .
4
2
So, by ratio test, the series ∑∞ n (n!)
n=1 (−1) (2n)! is absolutely convergent and hence convergent.

n 10 n+1
(c). ∑∞
n=1 π 2n .

n 10n+1 (n+1) 10n+2

Solution: Let an = π 2n
. Then we have an+1 = π 2n+2
. So

 (n + 1) 10n+2 π 2n 
   
 an+1 
lim   = lim  ·
n→∞ an  n→∞ π 2n+2 n 10n+1 
10 n + 1
= lim 2 ·
n→∞ π n
10
= > 1.
π2
n 10 n+1
So, by ratio test, the series ∑∞
n=1 π 2n is divergent.

n!
(d). ∑∞
n=1 1·3·5···(2n−1) .

n! (n+1)!
Solution: Let an = 1·3·5···(2n−1) . Then we have an+1 = 1·3·5···(2n−1)·(2n+1) . So
   
 an+1   (n + 1)! 1 · 3 · 5 · · · (2n − 1) 
lim   = lim  ·
n→∞  an  n→∞  1 · 3 · 5 · · · (2n − 1) · (2n + 1) n! 
n+1
= lim
n→∞ 2n + 1
1
= < 1.
2
n!
So, by ratio test, the series ∑∞
n=1 1·3·5···(2n−1) is convergent.

(e). ∑∞ −n
n=1 ne .

6
Solution: Let an = ne−n . Then we have an+1 = (n + 1)e−n−1 . So

 (n + 1)e−n−1 
   
 an+1 
lim   = lim   
n→∞  an  n→∞ ne−n 
n+1 1
= lim ·
n→∞ n e
1
= < 1.
3
So, by ratio test, the series ∑∞ −n is convergent.
n=1 ne

√ √
n n+1− n
(f). ∑∞
n=1 (−1) n .
√ √ √ √
n+1− n n+2− n+1
Solution: Let an = (−1)n n . Then we have an+1 = (−1)n+1 n+1 . So
   √ √ 
 an+1   n+1 n+2− n+1 n 
lim   = lim (−1)
 · √ √ 
n→∞  an  n→∞  n+1 n
(−1) ( n + 1 − n)
 √ √ 
 n n + 2 − n + 1 
= lim  · √ √ 
n→∞ n + 1 n+1− n 
 √ √ 
 n n + 1 + n 
= lim  · √ √ (after rationalization)
n→∞ n + 1 n+2+ n+1
= 1.

So we can not apply the ratio test.

Question 0.3. Show that ∑n=1 n p rn converges for any real numbers p and r with |r| < 1. What can you
conclude about limn→∞ n p rn , when |r| < 1.

Solution: To prove this, we apply the ratio test. Let an = n p rn . Then an+1 = (n + 1) p rn+1 . So we have
p n+1 
   
 = lim  (n + 1) r
 an+1  
lim  
n→∞ an  n→∞  n p rn 
  p
 1 
= lim r 1 +
n→∞ n 
= |r|.

By ratio test, the series ∑n=1 n p rn is converges absolutely if

 
 an+1 
0 ≤ lim   < 1.
n→∞ an 

This implies, the series ∑n=1 n p rn is converges absolutely if 0 ≤ |r| < 1 or |r| < 1. Hence the series ∑n=1 n p rn
is convergent if |r| < 1.
Now Since the series ∑n=1 n p rn is convergent when |r| < 1, by n−term test the limit limn→∞ n p rn must be
zero, that is,
lim n p rn = 0.
n→∞