Conditional Convergence

1. Apr 3, 2008

Feldoh

So we learned about the basic tests for convergence of an infinite series, and we learned about alternating series, and conditional convergence.

Now, I get how to find if a series is conditionally convergent. But what's the use of conditionally convergent infinite series? All we were taught was how to determine if it was one, but not any of the uses of this particular type of series, could anyone elaborate?

Last edited: Apr 3, 2008
2. Apr 5, 2008

daniel_i_l

Well one cool theorem (by Riemann) about a conditionally convergent infinite series is that by changing the order of the elements in the series you can make it converge to any number - rational or irrational.

3. Apr 5, 2008

HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
What do you mean by "use"?

4. Apr 5, 2008

Feldoh

I mean application of it.

Ok I have a conditionally convergent series, so what? Why is this important?

5. Apr 5, 2008

Hurkyl

Staff Emeritus
It's a classification method -- a convergent series does so either absolutely or conditionally. A relevant one too: many theorems about series behaving nicely only apply to absolutely convergent series, and many theorems about series behaving badly only apply to conditionally convergent series.

6. Apr 6, 2008

Feldoh

Yeah I'm starting to realize that... Could you list some of those theorems? I'd like to try and learn them :)

7. Apr 6, 2008

Hurkyl

Staff Emeritus
The most prominent has to do with rearranging series. When all the relevant series converge absolutely, you can rearrange the terms in any way you please without changing the answer. And daniel_i_l already stated the complementary fact about conditionally converging sequences.

8. Apr 6, 2008

arildno

Sigh.
Why is it important to classify an apple as a round fruit and a banana as a long fruit?

Can you give me an application of that knowledge, please?

9. Apr 6, 2008

arildno

Sigh.
Why is it important to classify an apple as a round fruit and a banana as a long fruit?
Do you understand what would happen to you if you mixed up those descriptions in public?

Furthermore:
Can you give me an application of that knowledge, please?

10. Apr 6, 2008

Feldoh

I cannot give you application to that knowledge. However what would be the point in even mentioning conditionally convergent series if there was not some further application or usefulness to them? I don't see at what you're trying to get?

As I see, that seems like a pretty good reason to learn about conditional convergence.

11. Apr 7, 2008

arildno

Well, you have "negative" application in that unless you have a distinct understanding of the difference between conditionally and absolutely convergent series, you are bound to mix them together conceptually, and hence, misunderstand and misapply other theorems about both of them.

12. Apr 7, 2008

Feldoh

Ok, yes I understand that, but I think I do grasp that difference between the two types. All I was asking was for theorems, etc. involving conditionally convergent series. I don't think it's enough to know about them, but I was just trying to figure out what they are used for. No reason to put me down over that.