How Do Series Converge in Normed Spaces?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the convergence of series in normed spaces, particularly focusing on definitions, tests for convergence, and specific criteria applicable in various contexts such as Banach spaces and series with nonnegative terms. Participants explore different convergence tests and their implications without reaching a consensus on any single approach.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant defines a series in a normed space and outlines the concept of convergence and divergence, emphasizing the nth term test and its limitations.
  • Another participant provides a link to a proof of Cauchy's condensation test, suggesting its relevance to the discussion.
  • There are comments regarding the formatting of old Library features, with suggestions on where to place authorship notes and concerns about how it affects meta descriptions.
  • Some participants express preferences for presenting information in a more direct manner, indicating that technical preliminaries may not be necessary for all readers.
  • Participants acknowledge the learning opportunities presented by discussions on older threads, highlighting contributions from various members.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best way to present technical information or the formatting of posts. There are differing opinions on the necessity of preliminary explanations versus direct engagement with the content.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various convergence tests and their conditions, but does not resolve the applicability or effectiveness of each test in all scenarios. There are also unresolved issues regarding the presentation of information in forum posts.

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Definition/Summary

In what follows, we will work in a normed space (X,\|~\|).
A series is, by definition, two sequences (u_n)_n and (s_n)_n such that s_n=\sum_{k=0}^n{u_k} for every n.

We call the elements u_n the terms of the series. The elements s_n are called the partial sums. We will often denote a series by \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n}.

We say that a series \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} converges to a if and only if s_n\rightarrow a. If a series does not converge, then we say that the series diverges.

Equations



Extended explanation

Series in a normed space

For the following, we will work in a normed space (X,\| ~\|)

nth term test
If \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} is a series such that \lim_{n\rightarrow +\infty}{u_n}\neq 0,
then the series diverges.

WARNING: The converse does not hold, i.e. if the limit does equal zero, then the series does not necessarily converge.

HINT: When given a series, always apply this test first.

Linearity of convergence
Let \lambda, \mu\in \mathbb{R}. If \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} converges to u and if \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_n} converges to v, then the series \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{\lambda u_n+\mu v_n} converges to \lambda u+\mu v.

Deletion of finitely many terms
Let p\in \mathbb{N}. Then we have the following equivalence:
\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n}~\text{converges iff }~\sum_{n=p}^{+\infty}{u_n}~\text{converges}

Series in a complete normed space

In the following, we will work in a Banach space (= a complete normed space).

Cauchy criterion
A series \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} converges if and only if
\forall \epsilon>0:~\exists n_0:~\forall n>n_0:~\forall p:~\left\|\sum_{k=n}^{n+p}{u_k}\right\|<\epsilon

Absolute convergence
Let \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} be a series. If the series \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{\|u_n\|} converges, then the orginal series will converge. Moreover, we have

\left\|\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n}\right\|\leq \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{\|u_n\|}

NOTATION: A series such as in the above theorem is called absolutely convergent. Absolute convergence is handy because it allows you to transform a series to a series with positive real numbers.

Series with nonnegative real terms

In the following we will always work with series \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} such that all the u_n are real and nonnegative.

Subseries
If \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} is a convergent series and if \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_{k_n}} is a subseries, then this subseries converges. In particular, we have that

\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_{k_n}}\leq \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n}

Comparison test
Let \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} and \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_n} be two series such that u_n\leq v_n for all n greater then a certain n_0. Then we have:

1) If \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_n} converges, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} converges.

If \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} diverges, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_n} diverges.

Limit comparison test
1) If \limsup_{n\rightarrow +\infty}{\frac{u_n}{v_n}}<+\infty and if \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_n} converges, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} converges.

2) If \liminf_{n\rightarrow +\infty}{\frac{u_n}{v_n}}>0 and if \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} converges, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_n} converges.

HINT: the limsup and liminf can be replaced by ordinary limits.

Comparison test 2
Let \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} and \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_n} be series. If there exists an m such that for every n\geq m it holds that \frac{u_{n+1}}{u_n}\leq \frac{v_{n+1}}{v_n}, then

1) If \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_n} converges, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} converges.

1) If \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} diverges, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_n} diverges.

Cauchy condensation test
Let (u_n)_n be a nonincreasing sequence, then

\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n}~\text{converges if and only if}~\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{2^nu_{2^n}}~\text{converges.}

Cauchy's root test
Let \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} be a series. Then

1) If \limsup_{n\rightarrow +\infty}{\sqrt[n]{u_n}}<1, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} converges.

2) If \limsup_{n\rightarrow +\infty}{\sqrt[n]{u_n}}>1, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} diverges.

HINT: the limsup can be replaced by ordinary limits.

WARNING: if the limsup equals 1, then the test is inconclusive.

The ratio test of d'Alembert
Let \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} be a series. Then

1) If \limsup_{n\rightarrow +\infty}{\frac{u_{n+1}}{u_n}}<1, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} converges.

2) If \liminf_{n\rightarrow +\infty}{\frac{u_{n+1}}{u_n}}>1, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{u_n} diverges.

HINT: the limsup and liminf can be replaced by ordinary limits.

WARNING: if the limits equal 1, then the test is inconclusive.

The integral test
Let f:[0,+\infty[\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^+ be a nonincreasing function. Then

\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{f(n)}~\text{converges if and only if}~\int_1^{+\infty}{f(x)dx}<+\infty

ADDENDUM: If f:[0,+\infty[\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^+ is a nonincreasing function, then for every n\in \mathbb{N} holds

\sum_{k=1}^n{f(k)}\leq \int_0^n{f(x)dx}\leq \sum_{k=0}^{n-1}{f(k)}


Series in \mathbb{R} and \mathbb{C}

The criterion of Dirichlet
Let \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{a_n} be a (real or complex) series such that it's sequence of partial sums is bounded. Let (v_n)_n be a nonincreasing sequence of real numbers which converges to 0. Then the sequence \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_na_n} converges.

The criterion of Abel
Let \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{a_n} be a (real or complex) convergent series . Let (v_n)_n be a bounded sequence of real numbers which is either nondecreasing or nonincreasing. Then the sequence \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{v_na_n} converges.

The criterion of Leibniz
Let (u_n)_n be a nonincreasing sequence of real numbers which converges to 0. Then the series \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{(-1)^nu_n} converges.

ADDENDUM: Denote (s_n)_n the partial sums of the series \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{(-1)^nu_n} and denote s the limit of the series. Then the sequence (s_{2n})_n is nonincreasing and (s_{2n+1})_n is nondecreasing. Moreover, we have that |s-s_n|\leq u_n.

Some special series
Geometric series
Let x be an arbitrary real or complex number. Then

\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{x^n}~\text{converges if and only if}~|x|<1.

Moreover, if the series converges, then \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{x^n}=\frac{1}{1-x}


p-series
Let p be a real number. Then

\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{\frac{1}{n^p}}~\text{converges if and only if}~p>1.

* This entry is from our old Library feature. If you know who wrote it, please let us know so we can attribute a writer. Thanks!
 
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Greg Bernhardt said:
* This entry is from our old Library feature. If you know who wrote it, please let us know so we can attribute a writer. Thanks!
Hey, @Greg Bernhardt ,
For these old Library features, you may want to place the above message at the beginning of each post/thread.

SammyS
 
SammyS said:
For these old Library features, you may want to place the above message at the beginning of each post/thread.
You'd think it would be that easy, but then it screws up the meta description because it takes from the beginning of the first post :frown:
 
In medias res is better. Nobody wants to read any technical preliminaries, so the comment at the end makes more sense.
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
You'd think it would be that easy, but then it screws up the meta description because it takes from the beginning of the first post :frown:
Yup. That makes sense.

I see that you are not getting much info. regarding the authorship of these, but I'm learning a lot from @fresh_42's comments on these old Library threads and so many others.

Keep it going fresh! You too, Mark44 & others.
 

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