Proof the convergence of a gamma sum

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence or divergence of the series $$\sum^{\infty}_{n=1}\frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2})}{n\Gamma{(n+\frac{1}{4})}}$$ and later a corrected series $$\sum^{\infty}_{n=1} \frac{\Gamma{(n+\frac{1}{4})}}{n\Gamma{(n+\frac{1}{2})}}$$. Participants explore properties of the Gamma function and apply various convergence tests.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that for \(x > 2\), \(\Gamma(x)\) is increasing, leading to the inequality \(\frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2})}{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{4})} > 1\).
  • One participant argues that since the series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n}\) diverges, if \(a_n > 1\) for all \(n\), then \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{a_n}{n}\) also diverges.
  • A participant corrects their earlier statement, indicating they intended to analyze a different series involving \(\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{4})\) and \(\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2})\).
  • Another participant introduces a recursive relation for \(b_n = \frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{4})}{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2})}\) and derives a relationship for \(a_n\) based on this recursive definition.
  • The 'Raabe test' is mentioned as a method for establishing convergence, with calculations leading to a limit that suggests convergence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the convergence of the original and corrected series. While some calculations suggest convergence, there is no consensus on the overall conclusion regarding the original series.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on properties of the Gamma function and specific convergence tests, but there are unresolved assumptions regarding the behavior of the series and the conditions under which the tests apply.

alyafey22
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
1,556
Reaction score
2
How to prove the convergence or divergence of ?

$$\sum^{\infty}_{n=1}\frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2})}{n\Gamma{(n+\frac{1}{4})}}$$
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ZaidAlyafey said:
How to prove the convergence or divergence of ?

$$\sum^{\infty}_{n=1}\frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2})}{n\Gamma{(n+\frac{1}{4})}}$$

For x>2 $\Gamma(x)$ is increasing with x, so that is $\displaystyle \frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2})}{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{4})} > 1$ so that...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
chisigma said:
For x>2 $\Gamma(x)$ is increasing with x, so that is $\displaystyle \frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2})}{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{4})} > 1$ so that...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

I don't get what you are implying ?
 
ZaidAlyafey said:
I don't get what you are implying ?

The series $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n}$ diverges... all right?... then the series $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{a_{n}}{n}$ if for all n is $a_{n}>1$ also diverges... all right?...

Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
all right that is clear , actually I made a mistake I intended something different :

$$\sum^{\infty}_{n=1} \frac{\Gamma{(n+\frac{1}{4})}}{n\Gamma{(n+\frac{1}{2})}}$$

Sorry for the typo .
 
All right!... first we write the series as $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_{n}$ and the we remember one of the basic properties of the Gamma function…

$\displaystyle \Gamma (x+n)= \Gamma (x)\ x\ (x+1)\ ...\ (x+n-1)$ (1)

... that permits us, setting... $\displaystyle b_{n}= \frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{4})}{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2})}$ (2)

... the recursive relation... $\displaystyle b_{n+1}= b_{n}\ \frac{n + \frac{1}{4}}{n + \frac{1}{2}}$ (3)

Because is $\displaystyle a_{n}=\frac{b_{n}}{n}$ from (3) we derive... $\displaystyle a_{n+1}= a_{n}\ \frac{n + \frac{1}{4}}{n + \frac{1}{2}}\ \frac{n}{n+1} \implies \frac{a_{n}}{a_{n+1}} = \frac{n^{2} + \frac{3}{2} n + \frac{1}{2}}{n^{2}+ \frac{1}{4} n}$ (4)

Now we can use the so called 'Raabe test' that extablishes that if for n 'large enough' the following relation... $\displaystyle c_{n}= n\ (\frac {a_{n}}{a_{n+1}} -1) \ge h >1$ (5)

... is verified then the series converges. From (4) and (5) it is easy to verify that $\displaystyle \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} c_{n}= \frac{5}{4}$ so that the convergence is proved...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K