Is the Series Absolutely Convergent, Conditionally Convergent, or Divergent?

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SUMMARY

The series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left(\frac{n^2+2}{3n^2+2}\right)^n$ is absolutely convergent. The root test was applied, yielding a limit of $C=\limsup_{n\to\infty}\sqrt[n]{\left(\frac{n^2+2}{3n^2+2}\right)^n}=\frac{1}{3}$. Since $C<1$, the series converges absolutely, confirming that the initial confusion regarding the first term being $\frac{3}{5}$ was irrelevant to the convergence classification.

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determine whether the series is absolutely convergent, conditionally convergent, or divergent.

$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (\frac{n^2+2}{3n^2+2})^n$

how to do this problem?? :confused:

im thinking root test. but how would i tell if its convergent or conditionally convergent?
 
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the way I am doing it, it converges to 1/3 but how would i tell if it conditionally converges?
 
How could it converge to 1/3 when the first term is 3/5?
 
what do you mean 3/5?
 
ineedhelpnow said:
what do you mean 3/5?

Evaluate the summand for $n=1$:

$$\left(\frac{1^2+2}{3\cdot1^2+2}\right)^1=\frac{3}{5}$$
 
$\sqrt[n]{|a_n|}=\lim_{{n}\to{\infty}}\frac{n^2+2}{3n^2+2}=\lim_{{n}\to{\infty}}\frac{\frac{n^2}{n^2}+\frac{2}{n^2}}{\frac{3n^2}{n^2}+ \frac{2}{n^2}}= \lim_{{n}\to{\infty}}\frac{1+ \frac{2}{n^2}}{3+\frac{2}{n^2}}=\frac{1+0}{3+0}=1/3$

here's what i did.

how else would i determine?
 
Okay, what you mean is:

$$C=\limsup_{n\to\infty}\sqrt[n]{\left(\frac{n^2+2}{3n^2+2}\right)^n}=\frac{1}{3}$$

In this case, $C<1$, and so the series converges absolutely.
 
how do i do it the right way?
 
ineedhelpnow said:
how do i do it the right way?

You have already demonstrated that:

$$L=\lim_{n\to\infty}\sqrt[n]{\left|a_n\right|}=\frac{1}{3}<1$$

and so the series is absolutely convergent.
 
  • #10
so what was my mistake from the beginning? the 3/5 thing?
 
  • #11
ineedhelpnow said:
so what was my mistake from the beginning? the 3/5 thing?

When you said:

ineedhelpnow said:
the way I am doing it, it converges to 1/3 but how would i tell if it conditionally converges?

I naturally interpreted this to mean "it" was the series itself.
 
  • #12
oh i see
 

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