Convergence of Series with Square Root Terms

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of a series with square root terms, specifically examining the relationship between a convergent series of positive terms and the convergence of the series formed by taking the square root of the ratio of its terms to their indices. The scope includes exploratory reasoning and mathematical reasoning regarding series convergence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the problem of determining the nature of the series \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sqrt{\frac{a_i}{i}} given that \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}a_i<\infty.
  • Another participant suggests testing two examples: a_i = \frac{1}{i^2} and a_i = \frac{1}{i(\log (i+1))^2}.
  • A participant expresses a belief that the second series converges, reasoning that if the original series is approximated by a convergent p-series, then the second series can also be shown to converge.
  • One participant provides a counterexample, stating that a_i = \frac{1}{i(\log (i+1))^2} leads to the first series converging while the second diverges.
  • Another participant acknowledges the counterexample as sophisticated and not immediately obvious, linking it to the integral test where other tests may fail.
  • A later reply reiterates the counterexample and admits to initially misunderstanding the convergence, indicating a shift in their position.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the convergence of the second series, with one participant asserting convergence based on reasoning, while another provides a counterexample demonstrating divergence. The discussion remains unresolved as multiple competing views are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference convergence tests and approximations, but there are limitations in the clarity of convergence criteria and the applicability of specific tests to the examples discussed.

sutupidmath
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Hi all,

A friend of mine asked me if i had any ideas about the following problem, i tackled it but with no success, so i thought i would post it here.
It is not a homework problem, or a regular textbook problem.

Problem:

If we know that a series with positive terms :

[tex]\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}a_i<\infty[/tex]

Then what can we say about the nature of the series:

[tex]\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sqrt{\frac{a_i}{i}}[/tex]

?


Thanks!
 
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Try two examples:
[tex]a_i = \frac{1}{i^2}[/tex]
and
[tex]a_i = \frac{1}{i(\log (i+1))^2}[/tex]
 
I appreciate your input. I should've thought about the second example><
 
I'm not sure of how to show this but my mind tells me the second series converges.

My reasoning is as follows:

Since the first series converges you can find a p series that is relatively close to ai ( for example i^(1.06) from the p-series we know that 1/i^(p) converges for p >1).

Assuming your original series if approximated by a p-series that conveges say 1/ (i^p) we can say that the second series is approximately sigma ( 1/ n^((p+1)/2)) ,which converges since P>1, and p+1 > 2 the second series becomes a p-series with p >1 also.

Thus convergence can be established.

Unfortunately I can not think of any convergence test that would establish convergence more clearly and nicely. There are probably some test out there that you can use to establish convegence. You may even be to establish some nice inequality that would make convergence more obvious and mathematically sound. I was thinking of the Cauchy -Schwartz but i don't see any immediate benefit of using it.
 
This is a counter example:

[tex]a_i = \frac{1}{i(\log (i+1))^2}[/tex]

Since the first series converges while the second diverges.

Case closed!
 
sutupidmath said:
I appreciate your input. I should've thought about the second example><

It's a pretty sophisticated counterexample, don't think it should have been obvious.
 
Office_Shredder said:
It's a pretty sophisticated counterexample, don't think it should have been obvious.

It is a standard example for "the integral test" where ratio and root tests fail. If you don't know it, then probably your textbook will do "the integral test" later.
 
sutupidmath said:
This is a counter example:

[tex]a_i = \frac{1}{i(\log (i+1))^2}[/tex]

Since the first series converges while the second diverges.

Case closed!

Sorry I didn't look at that post.

My mistake lol.

I guess I was wrong about convergence.lol
 
Last edited:

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