Determine Series' Convergence or Divergence

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence or divergence of the series ##\sum _{n=1}ne^{-n}##. Participants are exploring various convergence tests, particularly the ratio test and the integral test, to analyze the series.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants discuss the application of the ratio test, noting that it indicates absolute convergence. Others express concerns about the integral test, questioning their results and the steps taken during integration.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing their attempts and questioning the validity of their approaches. There is a focus on using L'Hospital's rule to evaluate limits, with some participants indicating they have reached different conclusions about convergence.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of confusion regarding the application of L'Hospital's rule during integration by parts, and participants are grappling with the implications of their findings on convergence tests.

knowLittle
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Homework Statement


##\sum _{n=1}ne^{-n}##


Homework Equations


Ratio Test
Integral Test


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that by the ratio test, it converges absolutely. But, I am unable to determine its convergence through the integral test . Could someone help? I thought that the integral test would be best, since e is used.

The ratio test gives me 1/e approx 0.367879 <1; therefore, it converges absolutely.

Now, the integral test is my concern. I believe I have done all correct steps, but the result shows that it diverges.
##\lim _{b\rightarrow \infty }\int _{1}^{b}\dfrac {n} {e^{n}}dn##

Integrating by parts with: u=n; du=dn; dv=(e^-n) dn; v=-e^-n
## \left[ -e^{-n}\left( n\right) +-e^{-n}\right] _{1}^{\infty }##
The final result is:
##-\dfrac {\infty } {e^{\infty} }-\dfrac {1} {e^{\infty }}+\dfrac {2} {e} ## and it diverges. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you.
 
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knowLittle said:

Homework Statement


##\sum _{n=1}ne^{-n}##


Homework Equations


Ratio Test
Integral Test


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that by the ratio test, it converges absolutely. But, I am unable to determine its convergence through the integral test . Could someone help? I thought that the integral test would be best, since e is used.

The ratio test gives me 1/e approx 0.367879 <1; therefore, it converges absolutely.

Now, the integral test is my concern. I believe I have done all correct steps, but the result shows that it diverges.
##\lim _{b\rightarrow \infty }\int _{1}^{b}\dfrac {n} {e^{n}}dn##

Integrating by parts with: u=n; du=dn; dv=(e^-n) dn; v=-e^-n
## \left[ -e^{-n}\left( n\right) +-e^{-n}\right] _{1}^{\infty }##
The final result is:
##-\dfrac {\infty } {e^{\infty} }-\dfrac {1} {e^{\infty }}+\dfrac {2} {e} ## and it diverges. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you.

What is ##\displaystyle \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{n}{e^n}##? You will need to use l'Hospital's rule!
 
Wow. Thank you.
 
My integral after L'Hospital doesn't agree with answers online. Could you tell me what's wrong?
##\lim _{b\rightarrow \infty }\int _{1}^{b}\dfrac {n} {e^{n}}dn##

##\int _{1}^{b}\dfrac {1} {en}dn=\left[ -e^{-n}\right] _{1}^{b}=-\dfrac {1} {e^{\infty }}+\dfrac {1} {e}##
, the first term to the left is e^n
 
You need to find the limit of \frac{1}{e^n} and not its integral.
 
The limit of (1/ e^n) as n approaches infinity is 0. The test for divergence is inconclusive.

I'm trying to find the determination of convergence or divergence through the integral test.
 
Last edited:
OK, I've worked it out, and the limit should be: \frac{2}{e}
 
Last edited:
Yeah, that's what it's shown online.
I get 1/e. My procedure is above. Could you help?
 
This step is correct:
\left[ -e^{-n}\left( n\right) -e^{-n}\right] _{1}^{\infty }
Let b=∞, then,
\left[ -e^{-n}\left( n\right) -e^{-n}\right] _{1}^{b}
This gives:
\left[ \left( \frac{-b}{e^b} -e^{-b}\right) - \left( \frac{-1}{e} -e^{-1}\right) \right]
Now, what you have to find is the limit as b→∞
\lim_{b→∞} \left[ \left( \frac{-b}{e^b} -e^{-b}\right) - \left( \frac{-1}{e} -e^{-1}\right) \right]
But the limit of the following requires using L'Hopital's rule,
\lim_{b→∞} \frac{-b}{e^b} = \lim_{b→∞} \frac{-1}{e^b}
You can then work out the rest:
\lim_{b→∞} \left[ \left( \frac{-1}{e^b} - \frac{1}{e^b}\right) - \left( \frac{-1}{e} - \frac{1}{e}\right) \right]
 
  • #10
Thanks, it's what I suspected. This L'Hospital rule keeps coming and coming.
 
  • #11
You had the answer in your first post! The first term goes to zero by l'Hospital's, the second goes to zero, and the final term is just a constant which was ##\frac{2}{e}##.
 
  • #12
I know, I didn't know I could use L'Hospital in the middle of an integration by parts.
Thanks.
 

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