294 MATHEMATICS MAGAZINE

Proof Without Words:

The Alternating Harmonic Series Sums to ln 2


∞
1
C LAIM . (−1)n = ln 2.
n=0
n+1

y = 1/x

4/5
2/3 2/3
4/7

1 3/2 2 1 5/4 3/2 7/4 2

1 1 1 1 1 1
1··· − + − ··· − + − + − ···
2 3 4 5 6 7

 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
− + − + − + − + − ··· = d x = ln 2
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 x

—Matt Hudelson
Washington State University
Pullman WA 99164

Summary We demonstrate graphically the result that the alternating harmonic series sums to the natural log-
arithm of two. This is accomplished through a sequence of strategic replacements of rectangles with others of
lesser area. In the limit, we obtain the region beneath the curve y = 1/x and above the x-axis between the values
of one and two.

Math. Mag. 83 (2010) 294. doi:10.4169/002557010X521831. 

c Mathematical Association of America