Determine If Integral Test Can Be Applied

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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 [itex]\sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n}[/itex]

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 [itex]\sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n}[/itex]

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
[itex]\displaystyle \frac{1-\ln(x)}{x^2}<0[/itex] for x > e .

So evaluate, [itex]\displaystyle \sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n}=\frac{\ln(2)}{2}+\sum_{n=3}^{ \infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n}\ ,[/itex] 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?