Does the Series Sum of sin(1/n^2) from n=1 to Infinity Converge?

  • Thread starter Thread starter seto6
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Series
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence or divergence of the series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \sin\left(\frac{1}{n^2}\right)\). Participants are exploring the behavior of the sine function as \(n\) approaches infinity and its implications for the series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants attempt to apply the squeeze theorem, comparing \(\sin\left(\frac{1}{n^2}\right)\) to \(\frac{1}{n}\) to argue for convergence. Others raise questions about the validity of comparing the series to itself and discuss the limits of the terms involved.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, suggesting various comparison tests and questioning the assumptions made about the series. There is no explicit consensus on the convergence yet, but multiple lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted concern regarding the starting index of the series, as well as the behavior of \(\sin\left(\frac{1}{n^2}\right)\) as \(n\) increases. Some participants emphasize the importance of understanding the limit of the terms in the series.

seto6
Messages
248
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


given this find if it converge or diverge.

\sum^{n=0}_{infinity} sin(\frac{1}{n^2})

sin (1/n^2) as n goes from zero to infinity.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



i tried

sin(1/n^2) <= sin(1/n) ~ 1/n

by squeeze theorem

0 <= sin(1/n^2) <= 1/n

as the limit goes to infinity the 1/n goes to zero thus sin(1/n^2) goes to zero, does that mean it converge
 
Physics news on Phys.org
seto6 said:

Homework Statement


given this find if it converge or diverge.

\sum^{n=0}_{infinity} sin(\frac{1}{n^2})
Your LaTeX code was almost right. Click on my version to see what I did.
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} sin(\frac{1}{n^2})

BTW, the index n really should start at 1, not 0, since the expression being summed is undefined at n = 0.

seto6 said:
sin (1/n^2) as n goes from zero to infinity.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



i tried

sin(1/n^2) <= sin(1/n) ~ 1/n

by squeeze theorem

0 <= sin(1/n^2) <= 1/n

as the limit goes to infinity the 1/n goes to zero thus sin(1/n^2) goes to zero, does that mean it converge

In a series
\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n
If
\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n~=~0
then you really don't know anything about the series. For example, lim an = 0 for both of the following series, but the first one diverges and the second converges.

\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n}

\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2}
 
This was a good idea - sin(1/n) ~ 1/n
It's not right on the money, but it's a start.

The limit comparison test is good to know.
 
would it be valid to compare it with
<br /> \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} sin(\frac{1}{n^2})<br />

since sine if always less than one (book is telling me its a non negative series)

and very close to zero (when n is large) its almost like
<br /> \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} sin(\frac{1}{n^2})<br />

therefore
<br /> \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} sin(\frac{1}{n^2})<br /> coverage thus sine should
 
all your latex are the same?

sin(\frac{1}{n^2}) &lt; sin(\frac{1}{n})
for all n>1 seemed like a good start

then as sin(\frac{1}{n}) \approx \frac{1}{n} for large n can you think of anything similar in form to \frac{1}{n} but such that sin(\frac{1}{n}) is less than it for all n?
 
seto6 said:
would it be valid to compare it with
<br /> \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} sin(\frac{1}{n^2})<br />
No, because you don't want to compare your series with itself. Why would you want to do that?
seto6 said:
since sine if always less than one (book is telling me its a non negative series)

and very close to zero (when n is large) its almost like
<br /> \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} sin(\frac{1}{n^2})<br />

therefore
<br /> \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} sin(\frac{1}{n^2})<br /> coverage thus sine should
?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K