Problem understanding divergence test

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kolahal Bhattacharya
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Divergence Test
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the divergence test for infinite series, particularly focusing on the application of this test to series that include both positive and negative terms. Participants are exploring the conditions under which the divergence test can be applied and the implications of terms approaching zero.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the application of the divergence test to series with both positive and negative terms, questioning how to handle cases involving terms like (-1)^infinity. Other participants seek clarification on the nature of the terms in the series and whether negative terms can be included in the divergence test.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking to clarify the original poster's question and the conditions of the divergence test. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for specificity in the problem, but no consensus has been reached on the application of the test to negative terms.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of confusion regarding the definition of terms in the series, particularly the use of 'negative' terms, which may indicate a misunderstanding of the series' structure or the divergence test's requirements.

Kolahal Bhattacharya
Messages
133
Reaction score
1
I am going through Boas.Ch-1.on infinite series.
Can anyone help?
1.May we use preliminary divergence test for series with +ve and -ve terms?How?For some situation occurs when we are supposed to make out (-1)^infinity
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I am sorry, but you are going to need to be a little more specific about your problem. Recall from your Calculus courses that there a number of different divergence/convergence tests for infinite series.
 
Re divergence test

It says limit a#n as n tends to infinity when not equal to zero, the series diverges.And as a#n tends to zero as n tends to infinity is inconclusive.I want to know, whether a#n may be negative numbers.
 
Infinite series use n to denote the number of the term in the series, you cannot of a 'negative' term (that I know of) in a series. I am not even sure what you are asking though.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K