Cauchy’s Root Test

1⁄
Let ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 be a series of positive terms such that lim (𝑎𝑛 )
𝑛 = 𝑙.
𝑛→∞

If 𝑙 < 1, then ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 converges.

If 𝑙 > 1, then ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 diverges.

Proof

Case I: 𝒍 < 𝟏 Case II: 𝒍 > 𝟏

1⁄ 1⁄
Since lim (𝑎𝑛 ) 𝑛 = 𝑙, therefore, ∀𝜖 > 0, ∃𝑚 ∈ 𝑁 such that Since lim (𝑎𝑛 ) 𝑛 = 𝑙, therefore, ∀𝜖 > 0, ∃𝑚 ∈ 𝑁 such that
𝑛→∞ 𝑛→∞
1 1
(𝑎𝑛 ) ⁄𝑛 (𝑙
∈ − 𝜖, 𝑙 + 𝜖), ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚. (𝑎𝑛 ) ⁄𝑛 (𝑙
∈ − 𝜖, 𝑙 + 𝜖), ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚.
1⁄ 1⁄
⇒ ∀𝜖 > 0, ∃𝑚 ∈ 𝑁 such that 𝑙 − 𝜖 < (𝑎𝑛 ) 𝑛 < 𝑙 + 𝜖, ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚. ⇒ ∀𝜖 > 0, ∃𝑚 ∈ 𝑁 such that 𝑙 − 𝜖 < (𝑎𝑛 ) 𝑛 < 𝑙 + 𝜖, ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚.
1⁄ 1⁄
⇒ ∀𝜖 > 0, ∃𝑚 ∈ 𝑁 such that (𝑎𝑛 ) 𝑛 < 𝑙 + 𝜖, ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚. ⇒ ∀𝜖 > 0, ∃𝑚 ∈ 𝑁 such that (𝑎𝑛 ) 𝑛 > 𝑙 − 𝜖, ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚.

⇒ ∀𝜖 > 0, ∃𝑚 ∈ 𝑁 such that 𝑎𝑛 < (𝑙 + 𝜖)𝑛 , ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚. ⇒ ∀𝜖 > 0, ∃𝑚 ∈ 𝑁 such that 𝑎𝑛 > (𝑙 − 𝜖)𝑛 , ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚.

Choose 𝜖 > 0 so that 𝑙 + 𝜖 < 1. Consequently, for such 𝜖 > 0, Choose 𝜖 > 0 so that 𝑙 − 𝜖 > 1. Consequently, for such 𝜖 > 0,
𝑎𝑛 < (𝑙 + 𝜖)𝑛 < 1, ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚. 𝑎𝑛 > (𝑙 − 𝜖)𝑛 > 1, ∀𝑛 ≥ 𝑚.

However, (𝑙 + 𝜖)𝑛 is a geometric sequence with common ratio However, (𝑙 − 𝜖)𝑛 is a geometric sequence with common ratio
(𝑙 + 𝜖) < 1. (𝑙 − 𝜖) > 1.
∞ ∞
Thus, ∑∞
𝑛=𝑚 𝑎𝑛 converges. Hence, ∑𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 converges. Thus, ∑∞
𝑛=𝑚 𝑎𝑛 diverges. Hence, ∑𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 diverges.

𝑛 𝑛 −𝑛
𝑛2  ∑∞ (−1)
 ∑∞ converges. 𝑛2 𝑛=1 2 converges
𝑛=1 2𝑛  ∑∞
𝑛=1 3𝑛 diverges.