Professional Documents
Culture Documents
7 2
Series Tests for Convergence - Summary We have the following general test for convergence.
Theorem 1. Cauchy Criterion for Series. The series ∞
P
n=1 an
Recall converges if and only if, for every ε > 0 there exists an N ∈ N such that
for all n > m ≥ N we have
Definition. Given the infinite series
n
∞
X
X |am+1 + am+2 + · · · an | = aj < ε
(1) an = a1 + a2 + a3 + · · · + an + · · · j=m+1
n=1
we define the following. The number an is called the nth term of the Proof. Notice that
series. It is also called the summand. The nth partial sum of the n m
X X
series is denoted by sn and is defined by sn − sm = aj − aj = am+1 + am+2 + · · · an
n j=1 j=1
X
sn = a1 + a2 + a3 + · · · + an = ak
Now apply the Cauchy Criterion for sequences to {sn }.
k=1
Notice that the partial sums generate a new sequence, the so-called
We summarize the various convergence tests for infinite series.
sequence of partial sums, {sn }. Now if this new sequence converges P
Suppose that an ≥ 0 for all n ≥ N, (N ∈ Z). To test the series an for
to a limit, say L ∈ R, we say that the series (1) converges and that its
convergence (or divergence) we have the following.
sum is L. Specifically,
∞
1. n-Term Test (for Divergence).
X
(2) sn → L as n → ∞ =⇒ an = L
n=1 X
If an 9 0 then an diverges.
In other words, n
∞ n
X X Remark. This test is valid for any series, not just series with
(3) an = lim ak = lim sn nonnegative terms.
n→∞ n→∞
n=1 k=1
Then but
2n
(a) the series converges if ρ < 1, lim =∞
n→∞ 1 + (ln 2)3 n3
(b) the series diverges if ρ > 1 or ρ is infinite,
(c) the test is inconclusive if ρ = 1.
2n a2n diverges by the nth-term test. The result follows.
P
So the series
2.7 5 2.7 6
Example 2. Do the following series converge or diverge. Justify your Example 3. Do the following series converge or diverge. Justify your
claim. claim.
∞ ∞
X 1 X 2
a. √ a. n e−n
n=1
n3 + 9 n=1
∞ ∞ √
X n+1 X n
b. b.
n=1
n2n n=1
2
n +2
∞ ∞ n
X 1 X n
c. c.
n=1
3n−1 + 2 n=1
n+1
∞ ∞
X (ln n)2 X cos(1/n)
d. d.
n=1
n3 n=1
n2
∞ ∞
X 2n X 3n n!
e. e.
n=1
(2n)! n=1
(2n)!
∞ ∞
X (−1)n+1 (n!)2 X
f. f. (1 − cos (1/n))
n=1
(2n)! n=1