Determine if the SERIES converges or DIVERGES(II)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence or divergence of the series $$\sum^{\infty}_{n = 0} \frac{3^{2n + 1}}{n5^{n-1}}$$. Participants employ the Ratio Test and engage in algebraic manipulation to analyze the series, exploring various interpretations and calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants apply the Ratio Test, calculating the limit as $$\frac{3^{2n + 2}}{(n + 1)5^n} * \frac{n5^{n - 1}}{3^{2n + 1}}$$ and arriving at a limit of $$\frac{25}{2}$$, suggesting divergence since L > 1.
  • Others express uncertainty about their calculations, with one participant questioning whether their result of 15 is correct, indicating a lack of confidence in their algebraic skills.
  • A participant challenges the previous calculations, stating they obtained a limit of $$\frac{9}{5}$$ instead of 15, and requests clarification on the steps taken by others.
  • Further contributions involve breaking down the terms of the series, with one participant suggesting rearranging the nth term to highlight the behavior of the series as $$n$$ approaches infinity.
  • Some participants discuss the treatment of the variable $$n$$ in their calculations, noting that it cannot be ignored and plays a significant role in determining the limit.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the convergence or divergence of the series, as participants present differing results and interpretations of their calculations. Multiple competing views remain regarding the application of the Ratio Test and the resulting limits.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about their algebraic manipulations and the implications of their findings. There are unresolved mathematical steps and differing interpretations of the limits involved in the Ratio Test.

shamieh
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$$\sum^{\infty}_{n = 0} \frac{3^{2n + 1}}{n5^{n-1}}$$ using Ratio test I obtained: $$\frac{3^{2n + 2}}{(n + 1)5^n} * \frac{n5^{n - 1}}{3^{2n + 1}}$$ = 25/2 so the series diverges since L > 1?
 
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shamieh said:
$$\sum^{\infty}_{n = 0} \frac{3^{2n + 1}}{n5^{n-1}}$$ using Ratio test I obtained: $$\frac{3^{2n + 2}}{(n + 1)5^n} * \frac{n5^{n - 1}}{3^{2n + 1}}$$ = 25/2 so the series diverges since L > 1?

First of all $\displaystyle \begin{align*} a_n = \frac{3^{2n + 1}}{n \cdot 5^{n - 1}} \end{align*}$, so $\displaystyle \begin{align*} a_{n + 1} = \frac{3^{2 \left( n + 1 \right) + 1 }}{ \left( n + 1 \right) \cdot 5^{n + 1 - 1 } } = \frac{3^{2n + 3}}{\left( n + 1 \right) \cdot 5^n} \end{align*}$

so the ratio is actually

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{a_{n + 1}}{a_n} = \frac{3^{2n + 3}}{ \left( n + 1 \right) \cdot 5^n } \cdot \frac{n \cdot 5^{n - 1}}{3^{2n + 1}} \end{align*}$

Now see what happens to this ratio when $\displaystyle \begin{align*} n \to \infty \end{align*}$.
 
so as n--> $$\infty$$ I got 15...? Would that be correct? If not, then i have NO idea how to do algebra and I will need you to show me step by step.
 
shamieh said:
so as n--> $$\infty$$ I got 15...? Would that be correct? If not, then i have NO idea how to do algebra and I will need you to show me step by step.

15 isn't even close (I get 9/5). Please show me what you did.
 
$$
\frac{3^{2n + 2}}{2^{2n + 1}} = \frac{(3^2)(3^n)(3^2)}{(3^2)(3^n)(3^1)} = 9/3$$

then

for the other part

$$\frac{n * (5^n) (5^1)}{n + 1 (5^n)} = 5/1$$
 
shamieh said:
$$
\frac{3^{2n + 2}}{2^{2n + 1}} = \frac{(3^2)(3^n)(3^2)}{(3^2)(3^n)(3^1)} = 9/3$$

then

for the other part

$$\frac{n * (5^n) (5^1)}{n + 1 (5^n)} = 5/1$$

Yes, the first part is 9/3 = 3.

As for the second part, you can't just treat the n's like they don't exist, they have a part to play. But I'll assume you realized that their limit is 1 and so are negligible.

Also, where have the extra 5's come from? $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{5^{n - 1}}{5^n} = 5^{n - 1 - n} = 5^{-1} = \frac{1}{5} \end{align*}$...
 
shamieh said:
$$\sum^{\infty}_{n = 0} \frac{3^{2n + 1}}{n5^{n-1}}$$ using Ratio test I obtained: $$\frac{3^{2n + 2}}{(n + 1)5^n} * \frac{n5^{n - 1}}{3^{2n + 1}}$$ = 25/2 so the series diverges since L > 1?

You will find this easier to do if you rearrange the $$n$$ th term to be:

$$a_n= \frac{3^{2n + 1}}{n5^{n-1}}=15\left(\frac{9}{5}\right)^n\frac{1}{n}$$

when you will see that you have no term when $$n=0$$, and that $$\lim_{n \to \infty}a_n \ne 0$$
 

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