Infinite Series Test (Ratio Test get 1)

In summary, the homework statement test failed to provide a definitive answer, and the student is looking for help with another test.
  • #1
cpyap
13
0

Homework Statement


Test if the infinite series converge or diverge.

Homework Equations


[tex]
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)}
[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried Ratio test:
[tex]a_{n+1} = \frac{4n+7}{(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)}[/tex]
[tex]a_{n} = \frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)}[/tex]
[tex]\left|\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_{n}}\right| = \frac{4n+7}{(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)} \times \frac{n(n+1)(n+2)}{4n+3}
= \frac{n(4+7n)}{(n+3)(4n+3)}
= \frac{4n^{2}+7n}{4n^{2}+15n+9}[/tex]
[tex]lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} \left|\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_{n}}\right| = lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} \frac{4+\frac{7}{n}}{4+\frac{15}{n}+\frac{9}{n^{2}}} = \frac{4}{4} = 1[/tex]
The answer is inconclusive, and I can't seem to think of any other test yet.
Anyone can help me with this?
I will much appreciate it. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
Think about what the terms look like for large n. Try a comparison test.
 
  • #3
Dick said:
Think about what the terms look like for large n. Try a comparison test.

Thanks for your help.
This is what I done:
[tex]
n^{3} > n(n+1)(n+1)[/tex]
[tex]
\frac{4n+3}{n^{3}} < \frac{4n+2}{n(n+1)(n+2)}[/tex]
[tex]
\frac{4n+2}{n^{3}} = \frac{4}{n^{n}} + \frac{3}{n^{3}}[/tex]
Both converge

Therefore, [tex]\sum^{\infty}_{n=1} \frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)}[/tex] converges.Is that correct?
 
Last edited:
  • #4
How is n^3 > n^3 + 2n^2 + n?
 
  • #5
zooxanthellae said:
How is n^3 > n^3 + 2n^2 + n?

Isn't this the same with the [tex]

n^{3} > n(n+1)(n+1)
[/tex] above?
 
  • #6
cpyap said:
Isn't this the same with the [tex]

n^{3} > n(n+1)(n+1)
[/tex] above?
Yes, so why do you think that n3 > n(n + 1)(n + 2)?
 
  • #7
Mark44 said:
Yes, so why do you think that n3 > n(n + 1)(n + 2)?
Opps, sorry,
found the careless mistake.

should be
n(n+1)(n+2) > n3

so
[tex]\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)} < \frac{4n+3}{n^{3}}[/tex]
Thanks for pointing me out

[tex]\frac{4n+2}{n^{3}} = \frac{4}{n^{n}} + \frac{3}{n^{3}}[/tex]
Both converge

Therefore, [tex]\sum^{\infty}_{n=1} \frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)}[/tex] converges.
 
  • #8
Go further with your inequalities:
(use the term by term comparison test)

[tex]
\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)}\leq \frac{7n}{n^{3}}= 7\frac{1}{n^{2}}
[/tex]
 
  • #9
gomunkul51 said:
Go further with your inequalities:
(use the term by term comparison test)

[tex]
\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)}\leq \frac{7n}{n^{3}}= 7\frac{1}{n^{2}}
[/tex]

How do you get the 7n?
 
  • #11
Mark44 said:
4n + 3 <= 7n for all n >= 1

Got it!
Thanks!
 
  • #12
So, the final answer should look like this:
[tex]
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)}
[/tex]

n(n+1)(n+2) [tex]\geq[/tex] n3
[tex]\frac{1}{n(n+1)(n+2)} \leq \frac{1}{n^{3}}[/tex]

4n+3 [tex]\leq[/tex] 7n , for all n [tex]\geq[/tex] 1

[tex]\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)} \leq \frac{7n}{n^{3}}[/tex]

[tex]\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{7n}{n^{3}} = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{7}{n^{2}}[/tex]
Converge P-series (p > 1)

According to Comparison test,
since [tex]\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)} \leq \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{7}{n^{2}}[/tex]
[tex]and \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{7}{n^{2}} converges[/tex],
[tex]therefore
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)} converges.
[/tex]
 
  • #13
cpyap said:
So, the final answer should look like this:
[tex]
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)}
[/tex]

n(n+1)(n+2) [tex]\geq[/tex] n3
[tex]\frac{1}{n(n+1)(n+2)} \leq \frac{1}{n^{3}}[/tex]

4n+3 [tex]\leq[/tex] 7n , for all n [tex]\geq[/tex] 1

[tex]\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)} \leq \frac{7n}{n^{3}}[/tex]

[tex]\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{7n}{n^{3}} = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{7}{n^{2}}[/tex]
Converge P-series (p > 1)

According to Comparison test,
since [tex]\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)} \leq \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{7}{n^{2}}[/tex]
[tex]and \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{7}{n^{2}} converges[/tex],
[tex]therefore
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{4n+3}{n(n+1)(n+2)} converges.
[/tex]

Very nice.
 
  • #14
Dick said:
Very nice.

Thanks,
and thanks for everyone that helps.
:biggrin:
 

What is the infinite series test (ratio test)?

The infinite series test (ratio test) is a mathematical test used to determine whether an infinite series converges or diverges. It involves calculating the ratio of consecutive terms in the series and taking the limit as the number of terms approaches infinity.

When should the ratio test be used?

The ratio test should be used when the terms in the series involve powers of a variable, such as xn or n!, and the series does not have an obvious pattern. It is also useful for comparing the convergence of two series.

What is the ratio test's convergence criteria?

The ratio test states that if the limit of the absolute value of the ratio of consecutive terms is less than 1, then the series converges absolutely. If the limit is greater than 1, the series diverges. If the limit is equal to 1, the test is inconclusive and another test must be used.

How is the ratio test applied?

To apply the ratio test, the absolute value of the ratio of consecutive terms in the series is calculated. Then, the limit as the number of terms approaches infinity is taken. If the limit is less than 1, the series converges absolutely. If the limit is greater than 1, the series diverges. If the limit is equal to 1, the test is inconclusive.

What are the limitations of the ratio test?

The ratio test cannot be used for all infinite series, as there are some series for which the limit does not exist or is equal to 1. Additionally, the ratio test only determines absolute convergence, not conditional convergence. It also does not provide information about the rate of convergence.

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