Finding the general term of the series

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the general term of a series and determining its convergence. The first series is analyzed, leading to the conclusion that the nth term can be expressed with factorials, indicating convergence. The second series presents a challenge with the numerator, which involves a pattern of odd integers. Participants are seeking ways to simplify the complex numerator while confirming the denominator's general term as 4^n(n!). The conversation emphasizes the importance of identifying patterns in series to derive general terms and assess convergence.
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Homework Statement



Find the general term and test the nature(convergent/divergent) of:
1/3 + 2/15 + 2/35 + ...

The Attempt at a Solution


If I simplify I get ,
1/3 + (1)(2)/(3)(5) + (1)(2)(3)/(3)(5)(7) +....

I found that,
TERM(N) = TERM(N-1)((N)/(2N+1)

After this I am struck.
 
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You see, I suspect, that the numerator of the nth term is n! The denominator is something like a factorial except that it involves only odd integers- okay, make it a factorial by inserting the even integers:
\frac{1}{3*5*7}= \frac{2*4*6}{2*3*4*5*6*7}= \frac{2*4*6}{7!}

Now, factor a 2 out of each term in the numerator: 2*4*6= 2(1)*2(2)*2*3= 2^3(3!).

So \frac{1}{3*5*7}= \frac{2*4*6}{2*3*4*5*6*7}= \frac{2^3(3!)}{7!}

Your term \frac{1*2*3}{3*5*7}= \frac{2^3(3!)^2}{7!}.

Can you write the nth term now?

Do you see n
 
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HallsofIvy said:
Can you write the nth term now?

Do you see n

yeah... i can write the nth term and i found that the series is convergent.

But this series:
1/4 + (1)(5)/(4)(8) + (1)(5)(9)/(4)(8)(12) + ...

The general term for the denominator is 4^n (n!)

but the numerator terms are tricky : 1*5*9

==> 1*2*3*4*5*6*7*8*9/2*3*4*6*7*8

==>9!/2*3*4*6*7*8

how do i simplify this part : 2*3*4*6*7*8 ?
 
I tried to combine those 2 formulas but it didn't work. I tried using another case where there are 2 red balls and 2 blue balls only so when combining the formula I got ##\frac{(4-1)!}{2!2!}=\frac{3}{2}## which does not make sense. Is there any formula to calculate cyclic permutation of identical objects or I have to do it by listing all the possibilities? Thanks
Since ##px^9+q## is the factor, then ##x^9=\frac{-q}{p}## will be one of the roots. Let ##f(x)=27x^{18}+bx^9+70##, then: $$27\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)^2+b\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)+70=0$$ $$b=27 \frac{q}{p}+70 \frac{p}{q}$$ $$b=\frac{27q^2+70p^2}{pq}$$ From this expression, it looks like there is no greatest value of ##b## because increasing the value of ##p## and ##q## will also increase the value of ##b##. How to find the greatest value of ##b##? Thanks
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