Improper Integral: Definition and Evaluation

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter karush
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Test
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the evaluation of the improper integral using the Ratio Test and the Integral Test. The Ratio Test was applied to the series $$L=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\dfrac{\ln(n+1)}{n+1}$$, leading to a limit of 0, indicating convergence. However, the participants noted that the Ratio Test may be inconclusive in this case, prompting a shift to the Integral Test, which ultimately showed that the series diverges. The final evaluation of the integral $$\int_1^\infty \ln(x+1) \cdot \dfrac{1}{x+1} \,dx$$ confirmed divergence as the limit approaches infinity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of improper integrals and their evaluation techniques
  • Familiarity with the Ratio Test for series convergence
  • Knowledge of the Integral Test for series convergence
  • Basic calculus skills, including limits and integration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conditions under which the Ratio Test is inconclusive
  • Learn about the Integral Test and its application to series
  • Explore examples of improper integrals and their evaluations
  • Review convergence tests for series, including the Comparison Test and Root Test
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students studying calculus, educators teaching series convergence, and anyone interested in the evaluation of improper integrals.

karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
316 Ratio Test

$\tiny{11.6.(4) } $
$$L=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\dfrac{\ln(n+1)}{n+1} $$
using the Ratio Test
$$L=\displaystyle\lim_{n \to \infty}
\left|\dfrac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right|
=\lim_{n \to \infty}\dfrac{\ln((n+1)+1)}{((n+1)+1)}
=\lim_{n \to \infty}\dfrac{\ln((n+2)}{n+2}=0$$
thus $L<1$ convergent

Ok I think this is correct but the final limit I did via W|A not sure why it is 0
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
What you have is only the limit of [math]a_{n+1}[/math]! You haven't done the fraction, [math]\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}=[/math][math] \frac{ln(n+1)}{n+1}\frac{n+2}{ln(n+2)}=[/math][math] \left(\frac{n+2}{n+1}\right)\left(\frac{ln(n+1)}{ln(n+2)}\right)[/math].

What are the limits of those fractions?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
for $n \ge 1$, $\bigg| \dfrac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \bigg| = \dfrac{\ln(n+2)}{n+2} \cdot \dfrac{n+1}{\ln(n+1)} = \dfrac{\ln(n+2)}{\ln(n+1)} \cdot \dfrac{n+1}{n+2}$

Methinks you'll find the ratio test to be inconclusive ... did you decide to use the ratio test to determine convergence/divergence of this sum?

I would use the integral test ...
 
so its $\dfrac{1}{2}$ which is still $L<1$
 
Last edited:
karush said:
so its $\dfrac{1}{2}$ which is still $L<1$

How did you arrive at 1/2 ?

Did you read my response? When is the ratio test inconclusive?
 
skeeter said:
How did you arrive at 1/2 ?

Did you read my response? When is the ratio test inconclusive?
$$\lim _{x\to \infty \:}\left(\frac{\ln \left(x+2\right)}{\ln \left(x+1\right)}\cdot \frac{x+1}{x+2}\right)=1$$

it's inconclusive

not sure why we were asked to use Ratio test thot that was used with radicals
 
integral test ...

$\displaystyle \int_1^\infty \ln(x+1) \cdot \dfrac{1}{x+1} \,dx$

$u = \ln(x+1) \implies du = \dfrac{dx}{x+1}$

$\displaystyle \int_{\ln(2)}^\infty u \,du$

$\displaystyle \lim_{b \to \infty} \int_{\ln(2)}^b u \, du$

$\displaystyle \lim_{b \to \infty} \bigg[\dfrac{u^2}{2}\bigg]_{\ln(2)}^b$

$\displaystyle \lim_{b \to \infty} \dfrac{b^2 - \ln^2(2)}{2} = \infty$

series diverges
 
why did you b??
 
karush said:
why did you b??

correct format for an improper integral
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K