Finding Discontinuities & Decreasing Intervals of a Sequence

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the analysis of the series \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{n^{k-1}}{n^k+c}, where k is a positive integer. The sequence is identified as discontinuous at x = (-c)^{1/k}. To determine the intervals where the sequence is decreasing, participants suggest taking the derivative, resulting in f'(x) = \frac{(k-1)x^{k-2}(x^k+c)-x^{k-1}(kx^{k-1})}{(x^k+c)^2}. Critical points derived from this derivative will help establish the behavior of the function as x → ∞.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of infinite series and convergence
  • Knowledge of calculus, specifically derivatives
  • Familiarity with critical points and their significance in function analysis
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills for simplifying expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of critical points in calculus
  • Learn how to analyze the behavior of functions using derivatives
  • Explore the properties of discontinuous functions
  • Investigate convergence tests for infinite series
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Students studying calculus, mathematicians analyzing series, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of functions through derivatives and critical points.

Bashyboy
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Homework Statement


[itex]\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{n^{k-1}}{n^k+c}[/itex], where k is a positive integer.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I found that it was discontinuous at [itex]x = (-c)^{1/k}[/itex]; and to determine if the sequence is decreasing, I took the

derivative which is--I think--[itex]f'(x) = \frac{(k-1)x^{k-2}(x^k+c)-x^{k-1}(kx^{k-1}}{(x^k+c)^2}[/itex]
I am not quite sure how to simplify this, nor am I certain on how to find the intervals which the sequence is decreasing.
 
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Bashyboy said:

Homework Statement


[itex]\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{n^{k-1}}{n^k+c}[/itex], where k is a positive integer.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I found that it was discontinuous at [itex]x = (-c)^{1/k}[/itex]; and to determine if the sequence is decreasing, I took the

derivative which is--I think--[itex]f'(x) = \frac{(k-1)x^{k-2}(x^k+c)-x^{k-1}(kx^{k-1}}{(x^k+c)^2}[/itex]
I am not quite sure how to simplify this, nor am I certain on how to find the intervals which the sequence is decreasing.


Now that you've taken the derivative of f, ask yourself, what are the critical points? Those will allow you to find if f is decreasing as x → ∞.
 

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