Homework Help: Divergence/Convergency of a series

1. Dec 6, 2011

Heaviplace

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

I have to test this series for convergency/divergency

Ʃ1000(3/4)^n - n/(n+10000)

n=1 to ∞

3. The attempt at a solution

At first I thought of analyzing both parts separately, (3/4)^n is a geometric series with r < 1 and so it converges, and applying the root test to n/(n+10000). Then I'd have the sum of two convergent series that ofc, also converges.

Went to test my hypothesis on WolframAlpha, and it actually told me the series diverges by the limit test, wich I verified to be true.

So my question is, why was the method I used, wrong?

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Dec 6, 2011

Dick

n/(n+10000) doesn't converge by the root test. It doesn't converge at all. It doesn't even approach zero!

3. Dec 6, 2011

Heaviplace

Indeed, you are right!

But that still leaves me the problem, but this time with the sum of a convergent series and divergent series =/

4. Dec 6, 2011

Dick

The sum of a convergent series and a divergent series always diverges. Think of the partial sums.

5. Dec 6, 2011

Heaviplace

Ok, see if I got it right, since one of the series does not converge, I can't bring up the property of the sum of two convergent series.

And even though (3/4)^n is convergent, the limit test shows that the sum of both series (<>0) is not.

6. Dec 6, 2011

Heaviplace

Thanks really man, you really cleared things up for me.

Just a last question a bit off topic, where's the edit button? =P

7. Dec 6, 2011

Dick

Sure, you can think of it that way. (3/4)^n approaches zero as n->infinity. n/(n+10000) doesn't. So the sum doesn't approach zero. Doesn't converge by the limit test.

8. Dec 6, 2011

Dick

The 'Edit' button has been coming and going lately. No idea why.