Does this series converge or diverge?

  • Thread starter rcmango
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In summary, the conversation discusses a given homework statement and equation involving a series and the attempt at solving it using the geometric series test. The conversation also includes a discussion about the squeeze theorem and the comparison test, ultimately leading to the conclusion that the series does not converge because the nth term does not approach zero.
  • #1
rcmango
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Homework Statement



n = 1 E infinity (n * sin (1/n))

Homework Equations



geometric series test?

The Attempt at a Solution



It looks like a geometric series.

i know that sin 1/n = 0 by squeeze theorem.

n * 0 will always be 0.

am i on the right track, please help.
 
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  • #2
rcmango, you really have to work on your notation. Is the 'E' supposed to be a sigma? If so then the nth term of your series tends to one. Can it converge?
 
  • #3
Hint: try applying your logic to n/n.
 
  • #4
rcmango said:

Homework Statement



n = 1 E infinity (n * sin (1/n))

Homework Equations



geometric series test?

The Attempt at a Solution



It looks like a geometric series.

i know that sin 1/n = 0 by squeeze theorem.
No, you don't know that! You only know that the limit is 0.

n * 0 will always be 0.
But none of your terms is n* 0 so that is irrelevant.

am i on the right track, please help.
No!
 
  • #5
Okay, thanks Dick, you limit is 1.

i could use the comparison test, compare to 1/n
divide an / bn and get 1 by the nth term series. Thus diverging because it doesn't = 0.

thats what i made out of it. thanks alot.
 
  • #6
rcmango said:
Okay, thanks Dick, you limit is 1.

i could use the comparison test, compare to 1/n
divide an / bn and get 1 by the nth term series. Thus diverging because it doesn't = 0.

thats what i made out of it. thanks alot.

Pretty good. Except a ratio test giving you a limit of one doesn't tell you much. You could do a comparison with 1/n, that works. But it's still overkill. If the nth term of a series doesn't approach zero then it doesn't converge. Period. Ever.
 

1. What is a series?

A series is a sequence of numbers that are added together in a specific order.

2. What does it mean for a series to converge?

A series converges when the sum of its terms approaches a finite value as the number of terms increases. In other words, the series gets closer and closer to a specific number as more terms are added.

3. How is convergence determined for a series?

To determine if a series converges, we can use various tests such as the ratio test, the root test, or the comparison test. These tests compare the given series to known convergent or divergent series to determine its behavior.

4. What does it mean for a series to diverge?

A series diverges when the sum of its terms does not approach a finite value as the number of terms increases. In other words, the series does not have a specific sum and can continue to increase or fluctuate indefinitely.

5. How can we use series convergence or divergence in real-world applications?

Series convergence or divergence plays a crucial role in various scientific fields, such as physics, engineering, and economics. For example, in physics, series convergence is used to model physical phenomena and make predictions. In economics, series convergence is used to analyze economic trends and make financial predictions. In engineering, series convergence is used to design and optimize systems and structures.

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