2nd Topic

Infinite Series
[nth term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test]

Prepared by:
Dr. Sunil
NIT Hamirpur (HP)
(Last updated on 30-12-2010)
Latest update available at: http://www.freewebs.com/sunilnit/

(17 Solved problems and 01 Home assignment)

TESTS FOR CONVERGENCE AND DIVERGENCE OF A SERIES

1. nth term Test
2. Comparison Test
3. p-series Test
Before we use an infinite series for computational or other purposes
we must know whether it converges or diverges. In most cases that arise in
engineering mathematics, this question may be answered by applying one
of the various tests for convergence and divergence, which we shall now
consider. These tests, therefore, are of great practical interest.

1. nth term Test: [Preliminary test for divergence]

Statement: If Lim u n  0 , then an infinite series
n 
 un is said to be divergent.

1 2 3 4 n
Example:     .........   ......
2 3 4 5 n 1
n n 1
Here Lim u n  Lim  Lim  Lim 1 0
n  n  n  1 n   1  n   1 
n 1   1  
 n  n
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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 2
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By the above preliminary test, the given series diverges.

Necessary condition for convergence:

Necessary condition for convergence of a series  un is that, its nth term u n

approaches zero as n becomes infinite.

Show that if a positive term series  un is convergent, then Lim u n  0 .
n 

(The converse of it may or may not be true).

Important note: This is not a test for convergence.
Proof: Let Sn  u1  u 2  u 3  .............  u n .

Given:  u n is convergent.
To show: Lim u n  0 .
n 

Since  u n is convergent  nLim


Sn  a finite quantity, k (say) .

Also Lim Sn 1  k . But u n  Sn  Sn 1 .

n 

 Lim u n  Lim Sn  Sn 1   0 .

n  n 

This completes the proof.

Remark: It is important to note that the converse of this result is not always true.
1 1 1
Example: Let us consider the series 1    ......   ...... .
2 3 n
1
Here Lim u n  Lim  0.
n  n  n

 1 1 1   1 1 1 1  n
Here Sn  1    ......       ......    n.
 2 3 n  n n n n n

 Lim Sn  Lim n   .
n  n 

1
Thus, the series is divergent even despite the fact that Lim u n  Lim  0.
n  n  n
Hence Lim u n  0 is a necessary but not sufficient condition for convergence of
n 
 un .
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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 3
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2. Comparison Test:
Statement: Let  u n and  vn be two positive term series, such that from and after

un
some particular term, Lim
n  v n
 k (a non-zero, finite quantity), then  u n and  v n
either both converge or both diverge, or in other words, both the series behave alike .
1
Remark: To select auxiliary series (or Harmonic series)  vn  
np
, it should be

noted that p = difference in degree of n in denominator and numerator of un.

3. p-series Test:
(Behaviour of Auxiliary Series or Harmonic Series)
1 1 1 1 1
Statement: Show that the series    ......   ......  
1p 2p 3p np np
(i) converges if p  1 and
(ii) diverges if p  1 .
1 1 1 1
Proof: Let S  p
 p
 p
 ......   ......
1 2 3 np
Case I: When p  1 .
Let the terms of the given series be grouped in such a manner that the first, second, third,
... ... groups contains 1 term, 2 terms, 4 terms... ...respectively.
1  1 1  1 1 1 1 
 S   p    p  p    p  p  p  p   ........... .
1   2 3  4 5 6 7 
p 1
1  1 1  1 1  2 1
Now  1 ,          ,
1p  2p 3p   2p 2p  2p  2 
2p  2
 1 1 1 1   1 1 1 1  4 22  1 
 p  p  p  p    p  p  p  p   p  2p    , ... .. and so on.
4 5 6 7  4 4 4 4  4 2 2
1  1 1  1 1 1 1 
Adding, we get S   p    p  p    p  p  p  p   ........... .
1   2 3  4 5 6 7 
p 1 2p  2 3p  3
1 1 1
 1        ...... .
2 2 2
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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 4
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2 3
 1  p 1   1  p1   1  p1 
 1              ......
 2    2    2  
p 1
1
The series on the RHS is a geometric series with common ratio    1 (when p  1 ).
2
Thus, by geometric series test, the series on the RHS is convergent.
Hence, the given series is also convergent, for p  1 .
1 1 1 1
Case II: When p = 1. Then S  1      ....... .
2 3 4 5
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= 1            ...... .
2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 1  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1
         ,              ... ... and so on.
3 4  4 4 2 5 6 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 2
 1 1 1 1  1 1 1 
 S  1      ......  1      ......    .
 2 3 4 5  2 2 2 
The series, on the RHS (ignoring the 1st term) is a geometric series with common ratio
unity.
Thus, by geometric series test, the series on the RHS is divergent.
Hence, the given series is also divergent, for p = 1.
1 1 1 1
Case III: When p < 1. Then S     ......   ......
1p 2p 3p np
1 1 1 1 1
 p
 1, p
 ,  ,......... and so on .
1 2 2 3p 3
1 1 1 1
Then S  1      ...... .
2 3 4 5
The series on the RHS is divergent (by Case II).
Hence, the given series is also divergent, for p  1 .
This completes the proof.

Now let us use these tests for the examination of the behavior of the following
infinite series:
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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 5
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
n3
Q.No.1. Discuss the behaviour of the series  n3  n  1 .
n 1

n 3 1
Sol.: Here u n  3
. Take v n  .
n  n 1 n2
3
1
un n
 Lim  Lim  1 (a finite, non-zero number) .
n  v n n  1 1
1 2  3
n n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  v n converges or diverges

together, or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1 1
But  vn   n 2   n p (here p  2  1 ) is convergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also convergent.


1
Q.No.2.: Discuss the behaviour of the series  n 1  n
.
n 1

1 1
Sol.: Here u n  . Take v n  .
n 1  n n
un 1 1
 Lim  Lim  (a finite, non-zero number).
n  v n n  1 2
1 1
n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  v n converges or diverges together,

or in other words , both the series behave alike.

1 1
But  v n   n1 / 2   n p (here p = 1/2 < 1) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.


2n 3  5
Q.No.3.: Discuss the behaviour of the series  4n 5  1 .
n 0

2n 3  5 1
Sol.: Here u n  . Take v n  .
4n 5  1 n2
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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 6
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5
2
un n 3  2  1 (a finite, non-zero number).
 Lim  Lim
n  v n 1
4 5 4 2
n 
n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  v n converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n 2 (here p  2  1 ) is convergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also convergent.


n2  1
Q.No.4.: Discuss the behaviour of the series  2
1
.
n 1 n

n2 1 1
Sol.: Here u n  2
. Take v n   1.
n 1 n0
1
1
un n 2  1 (a non-zero, finite number).
 Lim  Lim
n  v n n  1
1 2
n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1 1
But  vn   n 0   n p (here p  0  1 ) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.

n n
Q.No.5.: Discuss the behaviour of the series  n2  n .
n n 1
Sol. Here u n  2
. Take v n  .
n n n
1
1
u n  1 (a non-zero, finite number).
 Lim n  Lim
n  v n n  1
1
n
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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 7
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Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n (here p = 1) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.

1 3 5
Q.No.6.: Discuss the behaviour of the series    ...... .
1.2.3 2.3.4 3.4.5
2n  1 1
Sol.: Here u n  . Take v n  2 .
n ( n  1)(n  2) n
1
2
un n
 Lim  Lim  2 (a finite non-zero number).
n  v n n   1  2 
1  1  
 n  n 
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  v n converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1 1
But  vn   n 2   n p (here p  2  1 ) is convergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also convergent.

2 3 4 5
Q.No.7.: Discuss the behaviour of the series p
 p
 p
  ...... .
1 2 3 4p
(n  1) 1
Sol.: Here u n  . Take v n  .
np n p 1
1
1
un n  1(a finite, non-zero number).
 Lim  Lim
n  v n n  1

Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words , both the series behave alike.

1
But  v n   n p 1 is convergent for p  1  1 i.e. p  2 ,

and divergent for p  1  1 i.e. p  2 . [by p-series test]

Hence  un is convergent for p  2 , and divergent for p  2 .

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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 8
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Q.No.8.: Discuss the behaviour of the series

1 1 1 1 2 3
(i)    ...... , (ii)    ...... .
1.2 2.3 3.4 1.3 3.5 5.7
1 1
Sol.: (i) Here u n  . Take v n  2 .
n (n  1) n
un 1
 Lim  Lim  1 (a non-zero, finite number).
n  v n n  1
1
n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  v n converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n 2 (here p  2  1 ) is convergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also convergent.

n 1
(ii) Here u n  . Take v n  .
(2n  1)( 2n  1) n
un 1 1
 Lim  Lim  (a non-zero, finite number).
n  v n n   1  1 4
 2   2  
 n  n

Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n (here p = 1) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.

22  1 32  1 42  1
Q.No.9.: Discuss the behaviour of the series 1     ...... .
23  1 33  1 43  1
n2  1 1
Sol. Here u n  3
. Take v n  .
n 1 n
1
1
un n 2  1 (a non-zero, finite number) .
 Lim  Lim
n  v n n  1
1 3
n
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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 9
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Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n (here p = 1) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.

1.2 3.4 5.6

Q.No.10.: Discuss the behaviour of the series 2 2
 2 2
  ...... .
3 .4 5 .6 7 2.82
(2n  1)(2n ) 1
Sol.: Here un= 2 2
. Take v n  .
(2n  1) (2n  2) n2

 1
 2  2
u  n 4 1
 Lim n  Lim 2 2
  (a non-zero, finite number) .
n  v n n   1  2 16 4
2   2  
 n  n

Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n 2 (here p  2  1 ) is convergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also convergent.

2 3 4
Q.No.11.: Discuss the behaviour of the series 1     ...... .
1  22 2  32 3  42
n n 1
Sol.: Here u n  2
 2
. Take v n  .
(n  1)  n n  n 1 n

un 1
 Lim  Lim  1 (a non-zero, finite number).
n  v n n   1 1 
1   2 
 n n 
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n (here p = 1) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.

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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 10
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 n 3  1  n  .
1/ 3
Q.No.12.: Discuss the behaviour of the series

Sol.: Here
 11   
     1  
 
1/ 3
 1  1 1 3 3  1
 n  n 1  3   1  n 1  . 3   ......   1
3 1/ 3
un  n  1
 n    3 n 2! n 6  
  
  

 1 1  1
 u n   2  5  ...... . Take v n  2 .
 3n 9n  n
un 1 1  1
 Lim  Lim   3  ......   (a finite, non-zero number).
n  v n n   3 9 n  3
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n 2 (here p  2  1 ) is convergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also convergent.

n  1  n  .

Q.No.13.: Discuss the behaviour of the series   2

n 1

Sol.: Here u n  n  1  n . Rationalizing, we get

2

n  1  n  n  1  n  1 .
2
un   2

n  1  n n  1  n
2 2

1 u 1 1
Take v n  .  Lim n  Lim  . (a non-zero, finite number).
n n  v n n   1  2
 1   1
 n 
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1 1
But  vn   n   n p (here p = 1) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.

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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 11
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Q.No.14.: Discuss the behaviour of the series  n  11 / 3  n1 / 3 .

Sol.: Here
 11   
 1  1/ 3     1  
1 / 3  1 1 33  1
un= n  11 / 3  n1 / 3  n1 / 3 1    1  n 1 .   ......   1
 n    3 n 2! n 2  
  
  

1 1  1
 u n  n1 / 3   2  ...... . Take v n  2 / 3 .
 3n 9n  n
un 1 1  1
 Lim  Lim    ......   (a non-zero, finite number).
n  v n n   3 9 n  3
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,
or in other words, both the series behave alike.
1 2
But  vn   n 2 / 3 (here p 
3
 1 ) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.

n  1  n  1.

Q.No.15.: Discuss the behaviour of the series   4 4

n 2

Sol.: Here u n  n  1  n  1 . Rationalizing, we get

4 4

un   n  1  n  1 
4 4 n  1  n  1 =4
2
.
4

 
n  1  n  1 n  1  n  1
4 4 4 4

1 un 2 2
Take v n  2
.  Lim  Lim   1 (a non-zero, finite number) .
n n  v n n  1 1 2
1 4
 1
n n4
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n 2 (here p  2  1 ) is convergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also convergent.

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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 12
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1
Q.No.16.: Discuss the behaviour of the series  sin n .

1
sin
1 1 un n.
Sol.: Here u n  sin . Take v n  .  Lim  Lim
n n n  v n n  1
n
1
Put  x  as n    x  0
n
un sin x
 Lim  Lim  1 (a non-zero, finite number).
n  v n x 0 x

Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n (here p = 1) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.

or
1 1 1 1 1 1  1
Here un= sin    . 3  . 5  ...... . Take v n  .
n  n 3! n 5! n  n
un  1 1 1 1 
 Lim  Lim 1  . 2  . 4  ......  1 (a non-zero, finite number).
n  v n n   6 n 120 n 
Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1
But  vn   n (here p = 1) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also divergent.

1 1
Q.No.17.: Discuss the behaviour of the series  n
tan  .
n

1  1  1  1  
3 5
1 1 2 1
Sol.: Here u n  tan      .   .   ......
n n n  n  3  n  15  n  

1  1 1 
2 4
2 1 1 1
 un  1  .   .   ...... . Take v n   3/ 2 .
n n  3  n  15  n   n n n
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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 13
Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

un  1  1 2 2  1 4 
 Lim  Lim 1  .   .   ......  1 (a non-zero, finite number) .
 3  n  15  n 
n  v n n   

Thus, by comparison test, both the series  u n and  vn converges or diverges together,

or in other words, both the series behave alike.

1 3
But  vn   n 3 / 2 (here p 
2
 1 ) is convergent. [by p-series test]

Hence  un is also convergent.

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Let’s summarize
 nth term Test
 Necessary condition for convergence
 Comparison Test
 p-series Test
 And few solved problems

Home Assignments
Q.No.1: Give an example of an infinite series, which is divergent but Lim u n  0 .
n 

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Infinite Series: n term Test, Comparison Test, p-series Test 14
Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

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4. D’Alembert’s Ratio Test:

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