How to Analyze Series Convergence with a Floor Function?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of the series \(\sum_{n=13}^{\infty}(-1)^{\left\lfloor\frac{n}{13}\right\rfloor} \frac{ \ln(n) }{n \ln(\ln(n)) }\). Participants explore various methods to analyze its convergence, including grouping terms and applying convergence tests.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests grouping terms of the series, noting the alternating nature of the series and questioning if this approach is valid.
  • Another participant proposes that if the sequence without the alternating sign is decreasing towards zero, then the grouped sums will also decrease towards zero.
  • A hint is provided to prove that the absolute sums of grouped terms are strictly decreasing and converge to zero.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about proving that the terms decrease and approach zero, sharing attempts to estimate bounds using logarithmic inequalities.
  • There is a discussion on treating the term \(\ln \{\ln (13\ j + k)\}\) as a constant for large \(j\) and analyzing the behavior of \(\frac{\ln (13\ j + k)}{13\ j + k}\).
  • One participant confirms their belief that the limit of \(\frac{\ln (13\ j + k)}{13\ j + k}\) is zero, seeking validation for their reasoning regarding its slow increase.
  • Another participant provides a comparison argument to show that both sides of a certain inequality approach zero as \(n\) increases, emphasizing the monotonicity of the convergence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the convergence of the series, with some agreeing on the validity of certain approaches while others remain uncertain about specific proofs and assumptions. No consensus is reached on the best method to analyze convergence.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their arguments, such as the need for more formal justification of treating certain terms as constants and the unresolved nature of proving the decreasing behavior of the series terms.

Lisa91
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I have one series \sum_{n=13}^{\infty}(-1)^{\left\lfloor\frac{n}{13}\right\rfloor} \frac{ \ln(n) }{n \ln(\ln(n)) }. How to investigate its convergence? I wanted to group the terms of this series but I don't know whether it's a good idea as we have 13 terms with minus and then 13 with plus and so on. What do you think?
 
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Hi Lisa91!

Actually, that does seem like a good idea.

If you can proof that the sequence without the (-1) is declining towards zero, then summing 13 consecutive terms and repeating that will also be declining towards zero.
 
Lisa91 said:
I have one series \sum_{n=13}^{\infty}(-1)^{\left\lfloor\frac{n}{13}\right\rfloor} \frac{ \ln(n) }{n \ln(\ln(n)) }. How to investigate its convergence?

Hint: Prove that (i) $T_k=\left |\sum_{i=13k}^{13(k+1)}a_i\right|$ is strictly decreasing and has limit $0$. (ii) The sequence $(S_n)_{n\geq 13}$ of the partial sums of the given series is a Cauchy sequence.
 
Last edited:
Lisa91 said:
I have one series \sum_{n=13}^{\infty}(-1)^{\left\lfloor\frac{n}{13}\right\rfloor} \frac{ \ln(n) }{n \ln(\ln(n)) }. How to investigate its convergence? I wanted to group the terms of this series but I don't know whether it's a good idea as we have 13 terms with minus and then 13 with plus and so on. What do you think?

The series is the sum of 13 series and can be written as...

$\displaystyle \sum_{k=0}^{12} \sum_{j=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{j}\ \frac{\ln (13\ j + k)}{(13\ j + k)\ \ln \{\ln (13\ j + k)\}}$ (1)

Each of the inner series is 'alternating' and converges for the Leibnitz's criterion, so that the whole series converges...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
I tried to do it this way but I don't know how to prove that it decreases and that the limit is zero. I tried estimating it RHS and LHS using \frac{t}{t+1}< \ln(t+1) < t but in one case I've got -1...

(-1)^{j}\ \frac{\ln (13\ j + 1)}{(13\ j + 1)\ \ln \{\ln (13\ j + 1)\}}.
 
chisigma said:
The series is the sum of 13 series and can be written as...

$\displaystyle \sum_{k=0}^{12} \sum_{j=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{j}\ \frac{\ln (13\ j + k)}{(13\ j + k)\ \ln \{\ln (13\ j + k)\}}$ (1)

Each of the inner series is 'alternating' and converges for the Leibnitz's criterion, so that the whole series converges...

A priori, you don't know if the series is convergent, so ¿what associativity and/or conmutativity properties are you using?
 
Lisa91 said:
I tried to do it this way but I don't know how to prove that it decreases and that the limit is zero. I tried estimating it RHS and LHS using \frac{t}{t+1}< \ln(t+1) < t but in one case I've got -1...

(-1)^{j}\ \frac{\ln (13\ j + 1)}{(13\ j + 1)\ \ln \{\ln (13\ j + 1)\}}.

We pratically can consider the term $\ln \{\ln (13\ j + k)\}$ as a constant term [it is very slowly changing with j...] and can analyse the term...

$\displaystyle \frac{\ln (13\ j + k)}{13\ j + k}$ (1)

Any doubt about the fact that, at least for j 'large enough', it is decreasing with j and that its limit is 0?...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
chisigma said:
We pratically can consider the term $\ln \{\ln (13\ j + k)\}$ as a constant term [it is very slowly changing with j...] and can analyse the term...

$\displaystyle \frac{\ln (13\ j + k)}{13\ j + k}$ (1)

Any doubt about the fact that, at least for j 'large enough', it is decreasing with j and that its limit is 0?...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

Thank you! I don't have any doubts about the fact that the limit of this guy is zero \frac{\ln (13\ j + k)}{13\ j + k}.

Do you think the explanation 'we may consider it as a constant term' is good for the exam? I think I feel what you mean. Indeed, it increases very slowly but still I am looking for something more formal.
 
Lisa91 said:
Thank you! I don't have any doubts about the fact that the limit of this guy is zero \frac{\ln (13\ j + k)}{13\ j + k}.

Do you think the explanation 'we may consider it as a constant term' is good for the exam? I think I feel what you mean. Indeed, it increases very slowly but still I am looking for something more formal.

All right!... all what You have to do is to consider that, for j 'large enough', is $\displaystyle |\ln \{\ln (13\ j + k)\}| >1$ so that is... $\displaystyle |\frac{\ln (13\ j + k)}{(13\ j + k)\ \ln \{\ln (13\ j + k)\}}|< |\frac {\ln (13\ j + k)}{(13\ j + k)}|$ (1)

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #10
\ln \{\ln (13j + k) &gt;1
\ln (13j + k)&gt;e
13j + k &gt;e^{e}

so if we take j=1 and k=0,1,... it's true and we can also take k=9 and j=0,1...

Is it ok?
 
  • #11
Sorry, I have lost you in your argument.

But did you consider that for n \ge 3:

0 &lt; {1 \over n \ln(\ln n)} &lt; {\ln n \over n \ln(\ln n)} &lt; {n \over n \ln(\ln n)} = {1 \over \ln(\ln n)} \to 0

The LHS and RHS both approach zero when n \to \infty.
Moreover they do so monotonously.
 
  • #12
ILikeSerena said:
Sorry, I have lost you in your argument.

But did you consider that for n \ge 3:

0 &lt; {1 \over n \ln(\ln n)} &lt; {\ln n \over n \ln(\ln n)} &lt; {n \over n \ln(\ln n)} = {1 \over \ln(\ln n)} \to 0

The LHS and RHS both approach zero when n \to \infty.
Moreover they do so monotonously.
Thank you so much! It's so beautiful!
 

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