Deciding if the series converges or diverges

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the convergence or divergence of the series Sum(k=1,infinity) (2009+5^(-k^3))/(k^2(1+e^(-k^2))). Participants are exploring various tests and comparisons related to series convergence in the context of mathematical analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts a comparison test and expresses uncertainty about the next steps after their initial analysis. Some participants question the choice of constants in the comparison and the reasoning behind ignoring certain terms in the inequality.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing insights into the comparison test and clarifying the inequalities involved. There is a mix of interpretations and approaches being discussed, but no explicit consensus has been reached regarding the convergence of the series.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the application of the comparison test and the handling of terms in the series. The original poster has noted previous attempts with the ratio test and k-th term test, which did not yield clear results.

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Homework Statement


Hi everyone ,, got the following question

Sum(k=1,infinity) (2009+5^(-k^3))/(k^2(1+e^(-k^2)))


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



first I think it diverges so I did a comparison which is :
ak = (2009+5^(-k^3))/(k^2(1+e^(-k^2)))
e^(k^2))/(5^(k^3)*k^2) which is less than ak ,,

but now what should I do ?? which test should I use to make it diverges (that is if it diverges)

note : I tried already ratio test and it didn't work and k-th term but I get (infinity over infinity) so it's no use ,, can someone help please
 
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It should be easy to see that
[tex]\frac{2009+ 5^{-k^3}}{1+ e^{-k^2}}< 2010[/tex]
compare this series to [itex]\sum 2010/k^2[/itex].

Thanks, jgens, for catching the typo.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
lol ,, first of all ,, can you explain it a little further ,, how can you choose a number where the function is less than it ( i mean 20010) how did you know that number ??

and why did you remove 5^(-k^3) and e^(-k^2) ?? do they cancel each other or what ?
 
Halls mistyped and probably meant that

[tex]\frac{2009 + 5^{-k^3}}{1 + e^{-k^2}} < 2010[/tex]

This inequality should be obvious since [itex]5^{-k^3} < 1[/itex] which implies that [itex]2009 + 5^{-k^3} < 2010[/itex]. Now, because [itex]1 + e^{-k^2} > 1[/itex] we know that

[tex]\frac{2009 + 5^{-k^3}}{1 + e^{-k^2}} < 2010[/tex]

Now, use the comparrison test as Halls suggested.
 
aha ,, now I got you ... thanks :)
 

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