How to Analyze Series Convergence with a Floor Function?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on the convergence analysis of the series \(\sum_{n=13}^{\infty}(-1)^{\left\lfloor\frac{n}{13}\right\rfloor} \frac{\ln(n)}{n \ln(\ln(n))}\). Participants suggest grouping terms into sets of 13 to simplify the analysis, confirming that if the sequence without the alternating sign is decreasing towards zero, the grouped series will also converge. Key insights include proving that the terms \(T_k=\left |\sum_{i=13k}^{13(k+1)}a_i\right|\) are strictly decreasing and that the sequence of partial sums \((S_n)_{n\geq 13}\) forms a Cauchy sequence, establishing convergence through the Leibniz criterion.

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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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