Determine If Integral Test Can Be Applied

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the Integral Test to an infinite series involving the term ln(n)/n. Participants are examining the conditions under which the test can be applied and the behavior of the function derived from the series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the derivative of the general term and its implications for the series' convergence. There are questions about the correctness of the derivative and whether the function is decreasing over the specified interval. Some participants explore adjusting the summation interval based on their findings.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their attempts at finding the derivative and questioning the assumptions made in the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the evaluation of the integral and the limits of integration, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with the assumption that the function must be decreasing for the Integral Test to apply, and there are discussions regarding the appropriateness of different limits of integration based on the behavior of the function.

Bashyboy
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Homework Statement


I attached the infinite series the question provided as a file.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I deduced the general term to be ln(n)/n, so the infinite series would be written as \sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n}

I took the derivative of the general term, and I found that the function is not decreasing on the entire interval I am summing on. The answer key, however, says the derivative is negative on the entire interval. Could someone please help me?
 

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Bashyboy said:

Homework Statement


I attached the infinite series the question provided as a file.

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


I deduced the general term to be ln(n)/n, so the infinite series would be written as \sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n}

I took the derivative of the general term, and I found that the function is not decreasing on the entire interval I am summing on. The answer key, however, says the derivative is negative on the entire interval. Could someone please help me?

Well, what did you get for the derivative?
 
(1-ln(x))/x^2
 
Bashyboy said:
(1-ln(x))/x^2
\displaystyle \frac{1-\ln(x)}{x^2}<0 for x > e .

So evaluate, \displaystyle \sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n}=\frac{\ln(2)}{2}+\sum_{n=3}^{ \infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n}\ , since 3 > e.
 
Oh, so I can adjust the interval I am summing on?
 
I have another one I am working on. (The solution from the book is attached as a file). If the function that is comparable to the general term of this series is decreasing for values
x > e^1/2, why is one of the limits of integration x =1?
 

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Bashyboy said:
I have another one I am working on. (The solution from the book is attached as a file). If the function that is comparable to the general term of this series is decreasing for values
x > e^1/2, why is one of the limits of integration x =1?
So then, evaluate the integral from 2 to infinity.
 
So, is it technically improper to evaluate the integral from 1 to infinity?
 
Bashyboy said:
So, is it technically improper to evaluate the integral from 1 to infinity?
Quote the integral test, word for word.
 

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