Prove that the series converges

  • Thread starter Thread starter embemilyy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Series
embemilyy
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



If [itex]\sum(an)[/itex] converges, and an>0, prove that [itex]\sum\sqrt{an}/n[/itex] converges

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I'm trying to use the comparison test, since an>0. So I have to prove that an>[itex]\sqrt{an}[/itex]/n. But I keep getting stuck here because an approaches zero, so an is not greater than [itex]\sqrt{an}[/itex]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think so!

If [itex]\sum\sqrt{an}/n[/itex] diverges, then the limit as n approaches infinity of [itex](\sqrt{a(n+1)}/(n+1))/\sqrt{an}/n[/itex] is greater than or equal to 1, which implies that the limit as n approaches infinity of [itex]\sqrt{a(n+1)}/\sqrt{an}[/itex] is greater than or equal to 1, which implies that the limit as n approaches infinity of a(n+1)/an is strictly greater than 1, which implies divergence.
A contradiction, thus the above series is not divergent.

I think that's it. If so, thank you so much!
 
embemilyy said:
If [itex]\sum\sqrt{an}/n[/itex] diverges, then the limit as n approaches infinity of [itex](\sqrt{a(n+1)}/(n+1))/\sqrt{an}/n[/itex] is greater than or equal to 1
No, that isn't what I had in mind. [itex](\sqrt{a(n+1)}/(n+1))/\sqrt{an}/n[/itex] might not converge to a limit.
Thinking about it some more, I don't think the "comparison test 2" can help after all. The problem is that the ratio of consecutive terms of an could go the 'wrong' way occasionally. E.g. a2n+1 = a2n/10 = a2n-1/5.
But I think I see how to do it. Try partitioning the an series into two sums, one consisting of those terms ≤ 1/n2, and one consisting of those > 1/n2
 
Here's a different hint. Since$$
0\le (a-b)^2= a^2-2ab+b^2$$it follows that$$
ab\le \frac{a^2+b^2}{2}$$holds for any numbers ##a## and ##b##. See if you can use that.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
3K