Proving Convergence of the Series $\sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{r!}{3^{r^{2}}}$

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the convergence of the series $\sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{r!}{3^{r^{2}}}$. Participants explore various convergence tests, particularly focusing on the comparison test and the ratio test, in the context of series involving factorials and exponential terms.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants discuss the use of the comparison test, questioning the validity of the inequality $\frac{3^{r^2}}{r!} > r^2$. Others suggest using the ratio test as a more suitable method for series with factorials. There are also concerns about the size of the terms in the series and their implications for convergence.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various attempts to apply different convergence tests, with some participants expressing uncertainty about their approaches. While one participant feels confident in their comparison test application, others are exploring the ratio test and discussing the implications of their findings. There is no clear consensus on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem was part of an exam, which may influence their reasoning and the methods they choose to apply. There is also mention of the difficulty in evaluating terms beyond a certain point due to their size, which raises questions about the practical aspects of convergence in this context.

sid9221
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\sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{r!}{3^{r^{2}}}

My solution:

\frac{3^{r^2}}{r!} > r^2

So \frac{r!}{3^{r^2}} < \frac{1}{r^2}

So as 1/r^2 converges, it converges by comparison test.

This was in my exam today, I messed up a lot leading up to it. But the question said I could use any test in general to work this out.

It was work 6 marks which is quite a bit so is my solution okay ?
 
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Use the ratio test. The latter is always preferable whenever factorials are involved.
 
It was in my exam, it's already over. I did the ratio test for some reason cut it out and put this instead as it was smaller.

It's correct right ?
 
sid9221 said:
\frac{3^{r^2}}{r!} > r^2

How do you know this?? I'm not saying it's wrong, but it should have an explanation.
 
I evaluated a few terms during the exams(beginning with 1) its not a little bigger it's ALOOOT bigger. So much so that you can't evaluate beyond r=13 as size of the number is too big.

At r=14 there are more digits in the result than atoms in the universe so it kinda goes without saying that its bigger than r^2.

Regardless, I'm hoping no marks are deducted as we are interested in the asymptotic difference and if it's huge...
 
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Here's my attempt using ratio test:
u_n=\frac{r!}{3^{r^{2}}}
u_{n+1}=\frac{(r+1)!}{3^{(r+1)^2}}=\frac{(r+1)r!}{3^{r^2+2r+1}}=\frac{(r+1)r!}{3^{r^2}.3^{2r}.3^1}
L= \lim_{r\to\infty}\frac{u_{n+1}}{u_n}=\lim_{r\to \infty} \left( \frac{(r+1)r!}{3^{r^2}.3^{2r}.3}\times \frac{3^{r^{2}}}{r!} \right) =\lim_{r\to\infty}\frac{(r+1)}{3^{2r}.3}= \lim_{r\to\infty}\frac {(r+1)}{9^r.3}The limit is an indeterminate form ∞/∞, so using L'Hopital's rule:\lim_{r\to\infty}\frac {1}{9^r.3\ln 9}=\frac{1}{\infty}=0
Since L < 1, therefore the original series converges.
 
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