Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test
In this section, we see that we can sometimes decide whether a series converges
or diverges by comparing
P it to an improper integral. The analysis in this section
only applies to series an , with positive terms, that is an > 0.

Integral Test Suppose f (x) is a positive decreasing continuous function on

the interval [1, ∞) with
f (n) = an .
P∞ R∞
Then the series n=1 an is convergent if and only if 1 f (x)dx converges, that
is: Z ∞ X∞
If f (x)dx is convergent, then an is convergent.
1 n=1
Z ∞ ∞
X
If f (x)dx is divergent, then an is divergent.
1 n=1

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test
In this section, we see that we can sometimes decide whether a series converges
or diverges by comparing
P it to an improper integral. The analysis in this section
only applies to series an , with positive terms, that is an > 0.

Integral Test Suppose f (x) is a positive decreasing continuous function on

the interval [1, ∞) with
f (n) = an .
P∞ R∞
Then the series n=1 an is convergent if and only if 1 f (x)dx converges, that
is: Z ∞ X∞
If f (x)dx is convergent, then an is convergent.
1 n=1
Z ∞ ∞
X
If f (x)dx is divergent, then an is divergent.
1 n=1

I Note The result is still true if the condition that f (x) is decreasing on the
interval [1, ∞) is relaxed to “the function f (x) is decreasing on an interval
[M, ∞) for some number M ≥ 1.”

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: convergence)

We
R ∞ know from a previous lecture that
1
1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: convergence)

We
R ∞ know from a previous lecture that
1
1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

I In the P
picture we compare the
series R∞ 1
n=1 n2 to the improper
∞ 1
integral 1 x 2 dx.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: convergence)

We
R ∞ know from a previous lecture that
1
1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

I In the P
picture we compare the
series R∞ 1
n=1 n2 to the improper
∞ 1
integral 1 x 2 dx.

Pn 1
R∞ 1
I The n th partial sum is sn = 1 + n=2 n2 <1+ 1 x2
dx = 1 + 1 = 2.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: convergence)

We
R ∞ know from a previous lecture that
1
1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

I In the P
picture we compare the
series R∞ 1
n=1 n2 to the improper
∞ 1
integral 1 x 2 dx.

Pn 1
R∞ 1
I The n th partial sum is sn = 1 + n=2 n2 <1+ 1 x2
dx = 1 + 1 = 2.
I Since the sequence {sn } is increasing (because each an > 0) and bounded,
we can conclude that the sequence of partial sums converges and hence
the series
∞
X 1
2
converges.
i=1
n

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: convergence)

We
R ∞ know from a previous lecture that
1
1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

I In the P
picture we compare the
series R∞ 1
n=1 n2 to the improper
∞ 1
integral 1 x 2 dx.

Pn 1
R∞ 1
I The n th partial sum is sn = 1 + n=2 n2 <1+ 1 x2
dx = 1 + 1 = 2.
I Since the sequence {sn } is increasing (because each an > 0) and bounded,
we can conclude that the sequence of partial sums converges and hence
the series
∞
X 1
2
converges.
i=1
n
R∞ 1
NOTE We are not saying that ∞ 1
P
i=1 n2 = 1 dx here.
I
x2

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: divergence)

R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: divergence)

R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

I In the P
picture, we compare the
series ∞ √1 to the improper
Rn=1
∞ 1
n
integral 1 √x dx.
∞
X 1 1 1 1
√ = √ + √ + √ + ···
k=1 n 1 2 3

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: divergence)

R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

I In the P
picture, we compare the
series ∞ √1 to the improper
Rn=1
∞ 1
n
integral 1 √x dx.
∞
X 1 1 1 1
√ = √ + √ + √ + ···
k=1 n 1 2 3

I This time we draw the rectangles so that we get

Z n
1 1 1 1 1
sn > sn−1 = √ + √ + √ + · · · + √ > √ dx
1 2 3 n−1 1 x

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: divergence)

R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

I In the P
picture, we compare the
series ∞ √1 to the improper
Rn=1
∞ 1
n
integral 1 √x dx.
∞
X 1 1 1 1
√ = √ + √ + √ + ···
k=1 n 1 2 3

I This time we draw the rectangles so that we get

Z n
1 1 1 1 1
sn > sn−1 = √ + √ + √ + · · · + √ > √ dx
1 2 3 n−1 1 x
Rn
I Thus we see that limn→∞ sn > limn→∞ 1 √1x dx.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral Test (Why it works: divergence)

R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

I In the P
picture, we compare the
series ∞ √1 to the improper
Rn=1
∞ 1
n
integral 1 √x dx.
∞
X 1 1 1 1
√ = √ + √ + √ + ···
k=1 n 1 2 3

I This time we draw the rectangles so that we get

Z n
1 1 1 1 1
sn > sn−1 = √ + √ + √ + · · · + √ > √ dx
1 2 3 n−1 1 x
Rn 1
I Thus we see that limn→∞ sn > limn→∞ 1 √x dx.
Rn
I However, we know that 1 √1x dx grows without bound and hence since
R∞ 1 P∞ 1
√ dx diverges, we can conclude that √ also diverges.
1 x k=1 n

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Integral Test Suppose f (x) is a positive decreasing Pcontinuous function on
the interval R[1, ∞) with f (n) = an . Then the series ∞
n=1 an is convergent if
∞
and only if 1 f (x)dx converges
Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
n=1
3n + 5

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Integral Test Suppose f (x) is a positive decreasing Pcontinuous function on
the interval R[1, ∞) with f (n) = an . Then the series ∞
n=1 an is convergent if
∞
and only if 1 f (x)dx converges
Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
n=1
3n + 5

2
I Consider the function f (x) = 3x+5
.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Integral Test Suppose f (x) is a positive decreasing Pcontinuous function on
the interval R[1, ∞) with f (n) = an . Then the series ∞
n=1 an is convergent if
∞
and only if 1 f (x)dx converges
Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
n=1
3n + 5

2
I Consider the function f (x) = 3x+5
.
I This function is positive and continuous on the interval [1, ∞). We see
that it is decreasing by examining the derivative. f 0 (x) = (3x+5)
−6
2 < 0.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Integral Test Suppose f (x) is a positive decreasing Pcontinuous function on
the interval R[1, ∞) with f (n) = an . Then the series ∞
n=1 an is convergent if
∞
and only if 1 f (x)dx converges
Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
n=1
3n + 5

2
I Consider the function f (x) = 3x+5
.
I This function is positive and continuous on the interval [1, ∞). We see
that it is decreasing by examining the derivative. f 0 (x) = (3x+5)
−6
2 < 0.

2
I Since f (n) = 3n+5 , to determine convergence or divergence of the series
P∞ 2 R∞
n=1 3n+5 it suffices to check what happens to 1 f (x)dx.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Integral Test Suppose f (x) is a positive decreasing Pcontinuous function on
the interval R[1, ∞) with f (n) = an . Then the series ∞
n=1 an is convergent if
∞
and only if 1 f (x)dx converges
Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
n=1
3n + 5

2
I Consider the function f (x) = 3x+5
.
I This function is positive and continuous on the interval [1, ∞). We see
that it is decreasing by examining the derivative. f 0 (x) = (3x+5)
−6
2 < 0.

2
I Since f (n) = 3n+5 , to determine convergence or divergence of the series
P∞ 2 R∞
n=1 3n+5 it suffices to check what happens to 1 f (x)dx.
R∞ 2 Rt 2 R 3t+5 2
I
1 3x+5
dx = limt→∞ 1 3x+5 dx = 7 3u
du(u = 3x + 5) =
˛3t+5
2 2
limt→∞ 3 ln |u|˛ = limt→∞ 3 [ln |3t + 5| − ln |7|] = ∞. (integral
˛
7
diverges).

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Integral Test Suppose f (x) is a positive decreasing Pcontinuous function on
the interval R[1, ∞) with f (n) = an . Then the series ∞
n=1 an is convergent if
∞
and only if 1 f (x)dx converges
Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
n=1
3n + 5

2
I Consider the function f (x) = 3x+5
.
I This function is positive and continuous on the interval [1, ∞). We see
that it is decreasing by examining the derivative. f 0 (x) = (3x+5)
−6
2 < 0.

2
I Since f (n) = 3n+5 , to determine convergence or divergence of the series
P∞ 2 R∞
n=1 3n+5 it suffices to check what happens to 1 f (x)dx.
R∞ 2 Rt 2 R 3t+5 2
I
1 3x+5
dx = limt→∞ 1 3x+5 dx = 7 3u
du(u = 3x + 5) =
˛3t+5
2 2
limt→∞ 3 ln |u|˛ = limt→∞ 3 [ln |3t + 5| − ln |7|] = ∞. (integral
˛
7
diverges).
P∞ 2
I Therefore, the series n=1 3n+5 diverges.
Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test
Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
ne −n
n=1

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
ne −n
n=1

2
I Consider the function f (x) = xe −x .

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
ne −n
n=1

2
I Consider the function f (x) = xe −x .
I This function is positive and continuous on the interval [1, ∞). We see
that it is decreasing by examining the derivative.
2 2 2
f 0 (x) = e −x − 2e −x x 2 = e −x (1 − 2x 2 ) < 0 if x ≥ 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
ne −n
n=1

2
I Consider the function f (x) = xe −x .
I This function is positive and continuous on the interval [1, ∞). We see
that it is decreasing by examining the derivative.
2 2 2
f 0 (x) = e −x − 2e −x x 2 = e −x (1 − 2x 2 ) < 0 if x ≥ 1.
2
I Since f (n) = ne −n , to determine convergence or divergence of the series
−n2
P∞ R∞
n=1 ne it suffices to check what happens to 1 f (x)dx.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
ne −n
n=1

2
I Consider the function f (x) = xe −x .
I This function is positive and continuous on the interval [1, ∞). We see
that it is decreasing by examining the derivative.
2 2 2
f 0 (x) = e −x − 2e −x x 2 = e −x (1 − 2x 2 ) < 0 if x ≥ 1.
2
I Since f (n) = ne −n , to determine convergence or divergence of the series
−n2
P∞ R∞
n=1 ne it suffices to check what happens to 1 f (x)dx.
R ∞ −x 2 Rt 2 R −t 2
I
1
xe dx = limt→∞ 1 xe −x dx = −2 1
limt→∞ −1 e u du, (where
˛−t 2 2
u = −x 2 ) = limt→∞ −1 eu˛ = limt→∞ −1 [e −t − e −1 ] = 2e1 . (integral
˛
2 2
−1
converges).

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

Integral test, Example.

Example Use the integral test to determine if the following series converges:
∞
X 2
ne −n
n=1

2
I Consider the function f (x) = xe −x .
I This function is positive and continuous on the interval [1, ∞). We see
that it is decreasing by examining the derivative.
2 2 2
f 0 (x) = e −x − 2e −x x 2 = e −x (1 − 2x 2 ) < 0 if x ≥ 1.
2
I Since f (n) = ne −n , to determine convergence or divergence of the series
−n2
P∞ R∞
n=1 ne it suffices to check what happens to 1 f (x)dx.
R ∞ −x 2 Rt 2 R −t 2
I
1
xe dx = limt→∞ 1 xe −x dx = −2 1
limt→∞ −1 e u du, (where
˛−t 2 2
u = −x 2 ) = limt→∞ −1 eu˛ = limt→∞ −1 [e −t − e −1 ] = 2e1 . (integral
˛
2 2
−1
converges).
P∞ 2
I Therefore, the series n=1 ne −n converges.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

p-series
R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

∞
X 1
p
converges for p > 1, diverges for p ≤ 1.
n=1
n

Example Determine if the following series converge or diverge:

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
X 1 X 1 X 1 X 1
√
3
, 15
, 15
, √
5
,
n=1
n n=1
n n=10
n n=100
n

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

p-series
R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

∞
X 1
p
converges for p > 1, diverges for p ≤ 1.
n=1
n

Example Determine if the following series converge or diverge:

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
X 1 X 1 X 1 X 1
√
3
, 15
, 15
, √
5
,
n=1
n n=1
n n=10
n n=100
n

P∞ 1
I √
n=1 3 n diverges since p = 1/3 < 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

p-series
R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

∞
X 1
p
converges for p > 1, diverges for p ≤ 1.
n=1
n

Example Determine if the following series converge or diverge:

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
X 1 X 1 X 1 X 1
√
3
, 15
, 15
, √
5
,
n=1
n n=1
n n=10
n n=100
n

P∞ 1
I √
n=1 3 n diverges since p = 1/3 < 1.
P∞ 1
I
n=1 n15 converges since p = 15 > 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

p-series
R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

∞
X 1
p
converges for p > 1, diverges for p ≤ 1.
n=1
n

Example Determine if the following series converge or diverge:

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
X 1 X 1 X 1 X 1
√
3
, 15
, 15
, √
5
,
n=1
n n=1
n n=10
n n=100
n

P∞ 1
I √
n=1 3 n diverges since p = 1/3 < 1.
P∞ 1
n=1 n15 converges since p = 15 > 1.
I
P∞ 1
n=10 n15 also diverges since a finite number of terms have no effect
I
whether a series converges or diverges.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test

Integral Test Integral Test Example Integral Test Example p-series

p-series
R∞ 1
We know that 1 xp
dx converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1.

∞
X 1
p
converges for p > 1, diverges for p ≤ 1.
n=1
n

Example Determine if the following series converge or diverge:

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
X 1 X 1 X 1 X 1
√
3
, 15
, 15
, √
5
,
n=1
n n=1
n n=10
n n=100
n

P∞ 1
I √
n=1 3 n diverges since p = 1/3 < 1.
P∞ 1
n=1 n15 converges since p = 15 > 1.
I
P∞ 1
n=10 n15 also diverges since a finite number of terms have no effect
I
whether a series converges or diverges.
P∞ 1
P∞ 1
n=100 5 n conv/diverges if and only if conv/div. This diverges
I √ √
5n
n=1
since p = 1/5 < 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 25 : Integral Test