Is the Given Series Convergent?

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The series s = ∑(n=1 to ∞) (n+1)² / (n(n+2)) is analyzed for convergence. It is established that the series is not geometric, leading to the computation of partial sums. Through partial fraction decomposition, the series is simplified, revealing that the limit of the partial sums approaches infinity. Consequently, it is concluded that the series diverges. The final consensus is that the series does not converge, confirming its divergence.
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\textrm{Is this correct? Thanks.} :smile:

s = \sum _{n=1} ^{\infty} \frac{\left( n+1 \right)^2}{n \left( n+2 \right)}​

\textrm{This is not a geometric series, so we go back to the definition of a convergent series and compute the partial sums.}

s_n = \sum _{i=1} ^n \frac{\left( i+1 \right)^2}{i\left( i+2 \right)}​

\textrm{We can simplify this expression if we use the partial fraction decomposition}

\frac{\left( i+1 \right)^2}{i\left( i+ 2 \right)} = \frac{\frac{1}{2}\left( i+1 \right)^2}{i} - \frac{\frac{1}{2}\left( i+1 \right)^2}{i+2}.​

\textrm{Thus, we have}

s_n = \frac{1}{2} \sum _{i=1} ^n \left[ \frac{\left( i+1 \right)^2}{i} - \frac{\left( i+1 \right)^2}{i+2} \right]​

s_n = \frac{1}{2} \left[ \left( 2^2 - \frac{2^2}{3} \right)+ \left( \frac{3^2}{2} - \frac{3^2}{4} \right) + \left( \frac{4^2}{3} - \frac{4^2}{5} \right) + \left( \frac{5^2}{4} - \frac{5^2}{6} \right) + \left( \frac{6^2}{5} - \frac{6^2}{7} \right) + \left( \frac{7^2}{6} - \frac{7^2}{8} \right) + \cdots + \frac{\left( n+1 \right)^2}{n} - \frac{\left( n+1 \right)^2}{n+2} \right]​

s_n = \frac{1}{2} \left\{ \left( 2^2 + \frac{3^2}{2} \right)+ \left( \frac{4^2}{3} - \frac{2^2}{3} \right) + \left( \frac{5^2}{4} - \frac{3^2}{4} \right) + \left( \frac{6^2}{5} - \frac{4^2}{5} \right) + \left( \frac{7^2}{6} - \frac{5^2}{6} \right) + \left( \frac{8^2}{7} - \frac{6^2}{7} \right) + \cdots + \left[ \frac{\left( n+1 \right)^2}{n} - \frac{\left( n-1 \right)^2}{n} \right] - \frac{\left( n+1 \right)^2}{n+2} \right\}​

s_n = \frac{1}{2} \left[ \frac{17}{2} + 4\left( n - 2 \right) - \frac{\left( n+1 \right)^2}{n+2} \right]​

s_n = \frac{1}{2} \left( \frac{17}{2} + \frac{3n^2 -2n -17}{n+2} \right)​

s_n = \frac{17}{4} + \frac{3n^2 -2n -17}{2n+4}​

\textrm{and so}

s = \lim _{n \to \infty} s_n = \frac{17}{4} + \lim _{n \to \infty} \frac{3n^2 -2n -17}{2n+4}​

s = \frac{17}{4} + \lim _{n \to \infty} \frac{3n - 2 - \frac{17}{n}}{2+\frac{4}{n}}=\infty .​

\textrm{Therefore, the given series diverges.}
 
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In my opinion, you shouldn't go that way, because (n+1)^2=n^2+2n+1
this means the formula in that SUM becomes 1+1/(n^2+2n), but sum of 1 till it comes to infinity is always infinite, so the second part [1/(n^2+2n)] can be ignored immediately. The conclusion is then infinity.
 
\textrm{I see what you mean}

s = \sum _{n=1} ^{\infty} \frac{\left( n+1 \right)^2}{n \left( n+2 \right)} = \sum _{n=1} ^{\infty} \left[ 1 + \frac{1}{2n} - \frac{1}{2 \left( n + 2 \right) } \right] = \infty .​

\textrm{Therefore, the series diverges.}

\textrm{That's certainly simpler. Thanks.}
 
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