Series: Guide to Investigating

Convergence

Understanding the Convergence of

a Series

A series converges to if the limit

of the sequence of the partial sums
of the series is equal to

Example (1)
The Geometric Series

ar

n 1

n 1

Where a and r are fixed real numbers

Consider the geometric series

s
n 0

ar n 1
n 0

The sequence of the n th partial sum of the series is Tn ,

where :
Tn a ar ar 2 ar n 2 ar n 1

(1)

A formula for Tn is arrived at by multiplying equation (1)

by r and subtracting it from the resulting equation
rTn ar ar 2 ar 3 ar n 1 ar n

(2)

Subtracting (1) from (2) , we get

rTn Tn ar n a
Tn (r 1) a(r n 1)
a(r n 1) ar n
a
Tn

r 1
r 1 r 1
Thus; The sequence of the n th partial sum of the series is :
ar n
a
Tn

r 1 r 1

The lim Tn of this sequence depends on r :

n

1. If r 1, we get :
ar n
a
a
a
lim Tn lim(

) 0(
)
n
n r 1
r 1
r 1 1 r
a
and so the series converges to
1 r

a
n 1
We write ar
; r 1
1 r
n 0
1. If r 1, we get :
lim Tn does not exist
n

and so the series diverges

Warning
Please, distinguish between :
1. The sequence Tn of the n th partial sums of the series
ar n
a
Tn

r 1 r 1
&
2. The sequence sn of the n th term of the series
sn ar n 1
Notice that :
a
1. For r 1 : lim Tn
, While lim sn lim ar n 1 0
n
n
n
r 1
2. For r 1 and a positive : lim Tn , While lim sn lim a a
n

The Sum of the series

By, definition, the sum of the series, when exists, is equal to :

The l i m i t of the sequence Tn of the n th partial sums of the series
Thus,

t
nk

lim Tn
n

Questions
Check, whether the given series is convergent, and if convergent find
its sum

n2

3 n 1

2 n2

5
1. 2 n1
n 0 7
2
2. n 2
n 0 7

2
3. 3n1
n 1 3

Example (2)
Telescoping Series
Examples(1)

Consider the series t n ,

nk

Assume that there is a sequence sn , such that

t n sn sn 1 ; n k

Let Tn be the sequence of the n th partial sum of the series

t
i k

So,
Tn t k t k 1 t k 2 t k 3 t n 2 t n 1 t n
( sk sk 1 ) ( sk 1 sk 2 ) ( sk 2 sk 3 ) ( sn 1 sn ) ( sn sn 1 )
sk sn 1
Thus,
Tn sk sn 1
and so if sn converges to a real number , then Tn converges to sk

Warning
Please, distinguish between :
1. The sequence Tn of the n th partial sums of the series
Tn s k s n 1
&
2. The sequence t n of the n th term of the series
tn
Notice that :
If s n converges , then :
lim Tn s k lim s n ,
n

While

lim t n 0
n

Examples of this type of telescoping series

A Convergent Telescoping Series
1.

7
2
n4
n 4 n 5n 6
7
7
We have, 2

n 5n 6 (n 2)(n 3)
7
7

( show that!)
n2 n3
7
Let sn

n2
t n sn sn 1
Consider the series t n

7
s4 lim sn

2
n
n 4 n 5n 6
7
7

0
42
6

Thus

Solutions
2. Let

2
n 1 n ( n 1)

tn
n 1

we have :
2
2
2
2
tn

n(n 1) n 1 n n(n 1)
Let
2
>
n
Then t n s n s n 1
< s n > <

But < s n > converges to 0

Thus,

2
s1 lim s n 2 0 2

n
n 1 n( n 1)

Examples(2)

Consider the series t n ,

nk

Assume that there is a sequence sn , such that

t n sn 1 sn

;nk

Let Tn be the sequence of the n th partial sum of the series

t
ik

So,
Tn t k t k 1 t k 2 t k 3 t n 2 t n 1 t n
( sk 1 sk ) ( sk 2 sk 1 ) ( sk 3 sk 2 ) ( sn sn 1 ) ( sn 1 sn )
sk sn 1
Thus,
Tn sn 1 sk
and so if sn converges to a real number , then Tn converges to sk

Examples of this type of telescoping series

A Divergent Telescoping Series

1
Consider the series t n ln(1 )
n
n 1
n 1
1
n 1
We have, ln(1 ) ln(
) ln(n 1) ln n
n
n
Let s n ln n
Then,
t n s n 1 s n
Thus the sequence Tn of the n th partial sums of the series is :
Tn s1 s n 1 0 ln(n 1) ln(n 1)
lim Tn ln(n 1)
n

Questions I
Check, whether the given series is
convergent, and if convergent find its sum

2
1.
n 1 n( n 1)

2. 2
n2 n 1
n
3.
(n 1)!

[arctan n arctan(n 1)]

n 1

Questions II
Show that the following series is a telescoping series, and then determine
whether it is convergent

1.

n n 1)

n 1

2.

sin n
n2

H int
2 sin n sin 12 cos(n 12 ) cos(n 12 )
sin n

2 sin 12
2 sin 12

cos(

2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
) cos(
) cos(
) cos(
)
2
2
2
2

1
1
2 sin 2
2 sin 2
2 sin 12

Let :
sn

2n 1
)
2
2 sin 12

cos(

then, s n 1

Thus, sin n s n 1 s n

cos(

2(n 1) 1
2n 1
) cos(
)
2
2

2 sin 12
2 sin 12

1.

n n 1)

n 1

sin n

2.

n2

H int
sin n

cos(

2 sin n sin 12 cos(n 12 ) cos(n 12 )

2 sin 12
2 sin 12
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
) cos(
) cos(
) cos(
)
2
2
2
2

2 sin 12
2 sin 12
2 sin 12

Let :
sn

2n 1
)
2
2 sin 12

cos(

then, sn 1

Thus, sin n sn 1 sn

cos(

2(n 1) 1
2n 1
) cos(
)
2
2

2 sin 12
2 sin 12

5
2. Let t n
n 1
n 1 ( n 2)( n 3)
we have :
5
5
5
5
tn

(n 2)(n 3) n 2 n 3 (n 2)(n 3)
Let
5
< s n > <
>
n2
Then t n s n s n 1
But < s n > converges to 0
Thus,

5
5
5
s1 0
0

12
12
n 1 ( n 2)( n 3)

The Integral Test

Let a function f be positive decreasing and continuous on [ K , ).

& let sn be a sequence satisfying : sn f (n) ; n K

; for some

natural number K

n K

Then either the series sn and the improper integral

both converge or both diverge

f ( x)dx

Example (3)
The Hyperharmonic Series
(The p series )

p
n 1 n
Where p 0

Consider the p series

1
p
n 0 n

sn
n 1

Write :
1
; n N
np
Consider the function;
f ( n) s n

1
; x [1, )
p
x
We have f is positive, continuous and decrea sin g
f ( x)

By the int egral test :

1
converges iff the improper int egral

p
n
n 0

But , we know that

Thus

p
n0 n

1
1 x p dx

1
1 x p dx converges

converges if p 1 and diverges if p 1

converges if p 1 and diverges if p 1

Warning
Please, distinguish between :

1
p
n 1 n

1. The convergence of the series sn

n 1

&
2. The convergence of the sequence sn
Notice that :

1
diverges
p
n 1 n

1. For p , the series sn

1
3

n 1

While lim sn lim

n

1
n

1
3

lim 3
n

1
0
n

1
of the n th term of the series
p
n

Questions
Check, whether the given series is convergent.

1.

n 1

3.

1
3

n 1

n
n

2.

n 1

4.

1
5

n 1

Algebra of Series Convergence

1. If both

n 1

and

t
n 1

are convergent

Then so is (c1sn c1t n )

n 1

2. If

s
n 1

is convergent and

t
n 1

are divergent

Then (c1sn c1t n ) is divergent

n 1

1. If both

s
n 1

and

s
n 1

are divergent

Then it does not follows that (c1sn c1t n ) is divergent

n 1

(nor it follows that it is convergent )

Questions

1. Investigate the convergence of each of the following series :

4 2 n1
5
a. [ 3n2 ]
n
n 1 3

7 2 n1
2
b. [ 3n2 2 ]
n
n 1 3
2. Give an example of two divergent series

s
n 1

and

t
n 1

, such that the series ( sn t n ) is :

a. a convergent series
b. a divergent series

n 1

Divergence Test
If lim sn 0
n

Then sn diverges
n 1

Notice :
If lim sn 0 , it does not follow that
n

s
n 1

converges

Questions
Check, whether the given series is convergent.

1
1 n
1. [ 3 (1 n ) ]
n 1 n
5n 2n 3
2. 8
5
n 1 3n 6n 1

1
3. n
n
n 1

Convergence Tests

Convergence Tests for Series of Positive

Terms
1. Comparison Test
2. Limit Comparison Test
3. Ratio Test
4. Root Test

The Comparison test

Let

s
n 1

and

t
n 1

be series of positive terms,

and s n t n ; n N .
Then :
1. If

t
n 1

1. If

s
n 1

converges , then s n converges

n 1

diverges , then t n diverges

n 1

Examples

Example (1)
Investigate whether each of the following series converges
1.

3
n 1

2.

4
5

3
n 1

n8 2
4

n5 2

Solution
4

4 1
1.

8
3 5 n8 2 3 5 n8 3 n 5

n 1

3 5 n8

The series of positive terms

4 1
( because
8 and
8
5
3 n 1 5
n 1 3 n
n
and so, by the comparison test :
4

converges

n 1

1
n

n 1

3 n 2

The series of positive terms

8
5

converges

converges.

Why ?)

4 1
2.

5
5
5
8
8
3
3 n 2 3 n
n8

The series of positive terms

n 1

4
8

3 n

4 1
( because
5 and
5
8
3 n 1 8
n 1 3 n
n
and so, by the comparison test :

diverges

n 1

1
n

n 1

38 n5 2

The series of positive terms

5
8

diverges

diverges.

Why ?)

Definition
Order of Magnitude of a Series
Let

s
n 1

and

n 1

be series of positive terms

Then :
sn
is a positive number , then we say that the series
n t
n

1. If lim

s
n 1

and

t
n 1

have the same order of magnitude

sn
0 , then we say that the series
n t
n

2. If lim

s
n 1

has a lesser order of magnitude than

t
n 1

sn
, then we say that the series
n t
n

3. If lim

s
n 1

has a greater order of magnitude than

t
n 1

Question
Are there cases, where
sn
lim
is a negative number
n t
n
Or
sn
lim
n t
n
Why not ?

The Limit Comparison test

Let

s
n 1

and

t
n 1

be series of positive terms

Then :
1. If

s
n 1

and

t
n 1

have the same order of magnitude, then

either they both converge or both diverge.

2. If

s
n 1

has a lesser order of magnitude than

t
n 1

3. If

s
n 1

t
n 1

the convergence of

leads to the convergence of

the divergence of

s
n 1

has a greater order of magnitude than

t
n 1

s
n 1

then

leads to the divergence of

t
n 1

then

Examples

5n 2n 3
1. 12
5
n 1 3n 6n 1

5n 2 n 3
2. 12
5
n 1 3n 6n 1

11

Solution
5n 7 2 n 3 3
1. Let s n 12
6n 5 1
n 1
n 1 3n
Consider the series of positive terms :

1
5
n 1
n 1 n
We have

tn

5n 7 2 n 3 3
12
5
sn
5n12 2n 8 3n 5
3
n

6
n

1
lim lim
lim
n t
n
n 3n 12 6n 5 1
1
n
n5
5
[0, )
3

5n 7 2 n 3 3
Thus 12
has the same order of magnitude as
5
3
n

6
n

1
n 1

1
the series 5 which converges ( Why ? )
n 1 n
Therefore ;
5n 7 2 n 3 3
The series of positive terms 12
converges
5
3
n

6
n

1
n 1

5n11 2n 3 3
2.
Let s n 12
6n 5 1
n 1
n 1 3n
Consider the series of positive terms :

1
n 1
n 1 n
We have

tn

5n11 2n 3 3
12
5
sn
5n12 2n 4 3n
3
n

6
n

1
lim lim
lim
n t
n
n 3n 12 6n 5 1
1
n
n
5
[0, )
3

5n11 2n 3 3
Thus 12
has the same order of magnitude as
5
3
n

6
n

1
n 1

1
the series which diverges ( Why ? )
n 1 n
Therefore ;
5n11 2n 3 3
The series of positive terms 12
diverges
5
3
n

6
n

1
n 1

The Ratio test

Let

s
n 1

be a series of positive terms

Then :
s n 1
1. If lim
1 then
n s
n

s
n 1

converges

s
2. If lim n 1 1 or , then
n s
n

s
n 1

diverges

Examples

n
1.
n 1 n!

(3n)
2. n
n 1 5

n
3. n
n 1 5

The Root test

Let

s
n 1

be a series of positive terms

Then :
1. If lim n s n 1 then
n

s
n 1

2. If lim n s n 1 or
n

converges

then

s
n 1

diverges

Examples

2n 3
1.

n 1 5n 2

2.

n 1 ln 2n 5

Definition
Alternating Series
An alternating series is a series of of either of the
following forms

n
(

1
)
sn
n1

Or

n1
(

1
)
sn

n1

where sn is a

sequence of positive terms

Alternating Series Convergence

Test

Let t n (1) sn or
n 1

n 1

where sn is a

t (1)
n 1

n 1

n 1

sn

sequence of positive terms

If sn is decrea sin g and convergent to 0

Then t n converges
n 1

Example
Consider the series

s (1)
n 1

n 1

1
n

We have :
1
sn
is a decrea sin g sequence of positive terms
n
1
and lim sn lim
n
n
n
Therefore;

(1)
n 1

1
converges by the alternating series convergence test
n

Definition
Absolute and Conditional Convergence

1. We say that the series s n converges absolutely

n 1

if

s
n 1

converges.

2. We say that the series s n converges conditionally

n 1

if it converges , but

s
n 1

diverges

Example (1)
Consider the series

s (1)
n 1

n 1

1
n

We have shown that

(1)
n 1

1
converges
n

On the other hand the series

1
1
n
(1)

diverges
why ?

n n 1
n
n 1
and so the series converges conditionally

Example (2)
Consider the series

sin 2n
s n (1)

n3
n 1
n 1
We have :
n

sin 2n
1
s n (1)
3
3
n
n
n

sin 2n
and so the series (1)
converges (Why ?)
3
n
n 1

sin 2n
Thus the series (1)
converges absolutely
3
n
n 1
n

The Ratio test for Absolute

Convergence
s n 1
1. If lim
1 then
n s
n

s
n 1

converges absolutely

s n 1
2. If lim
1 or , then
n s
n

s
n 1

diverges

Examples:
Investigate the absolute convergence of
the following series
(2n 1)!
2. (1)
n!
n 1

n
5
1. (1) n
n!
n 1

3.

(1)

n 5 cos(3n)

n9

n 1 ( 2n 1)!
5. (1)
(n 1)!
n 1
n 1

4.

5n

n 1

73 n 4 6

n 1
(

1
)

More Examples on the Integral Test

Example (1)

n 1

n 1

Investigate the convergence of the series sn e n

Solution :
Let f ( x) e x
We have :
f is positive (Why ?), positive (Why ?) and continuous on [1,)
and sn f (n) ; n 1
&
The improper integral I

n 1

n 1

f ( x) dx e x dx converges ( Show that!)

the series sn e n converges

Example (2)

1
2
n 1 1 n

Investigate the convergence of the series sn

n 1

Solution :
Let f ( x)

1
1 x2

We have :
f is positive (Why ?), decreasing (Why ?) and continuous on [1,)
and sn f (n) ; n 1
&
The improper integral I

1
1 1 x 2 dx converges (Show that!)

1
converges
2
1

n
n 1

the series sn
n 1

f ( x) dx

Example (3)

1
3
n 2 n ln n

Investigate the convergence of the series s n

n2

Solution :
Let f ( x)

1
x ln 2 x

We have :
f is positive (Why ?), decreasing (Why ?) and continuous on [2,)
and s n f (n) ; n 2
We will show that

1
converges by showing that

3
n
ln
n
n2

the improper integral

1
2 x ln 3 x dx converges

we have :

1
1
dx
3
dx

dx

ln
x

lim
2 x ln 3 x lim
3

x
t 2 x ln x
t 2

lim [
t

1
1
1
1
]

2
t lim
2
ln 2 x
ln 2 2 ln 2 2
ln t