Proving Divergence of \sum\frac{1}{2n+1}

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SUMMARY

The series $$\sum\frac{1}{2n+1}$$ diverges, as established through both the integral test and the direct comparison test. The integral test shows that $$\int_2^\infty\frac{dx}{2x+1}$$ diverges to infinity, confirming the divergence of the series. Additionally, the direct comparison test demonstrates that $$\frac{1}{2n+1} \ge \frac{2/5}{n}$$ for all $$n \ge 2$$, and since the harmonic series $$\sum \frac{2/5}{n}$$ diverges, it follows that $$\sum \frac{1}{2n+1}$$ also diverges.

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suluclac
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Prove that $$\sum\frac{1}{2n+1}$$ diverges.
I understand that $$\sum\frac{1}{n}$$ i.e. the harmonic series diverges (I say this because of the comparison test, that is, $$\frac{1}{2n+1}\leq\frac{1}{2n}\leq\frac{1}{n}$$).
However, this doesn't correctly imply that 1/(2n + 1) diverges.
Then I decided to use the integral test! WLOG, let the lower limit be even prime.
$$\int_2^\infty\frac{dx}{2x+1}=\frac{1}{2}\int_2^\infty\frac{2dx}{2x+1}=\frac{1}{2}[\ln{(2x+1)}]\Big|_2^\infty=\infty$$
Therefore, since the integral diverges, the series diverges.
Is this correct?
 
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Hi suluclac,

Your work is correct, although one would technically have to justify (or just point out) that the sequence in question decreases to $0$ in order to apply the integral test.

Direct comparison test works here, too. For all $n \ge 2$, $2n + 1 \le 2n + (1/2)n = (5/2)n$. Therefore

$$\frac{1}{2n+1} \ge \frac{2/5}{n}\quad (n \ge 2)$$

Since the harmonic series diverges, so does $\sum \frac{2/5}{n}$; by direct comparison the series $\sum \frac{1}{2n+1}$ diverges.
 
Although mathematically sufficient, it amazes me the fact that the inequality reverses as we multiply 1/n by 2/5!
 

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