Smallest n-Natural Number for Inequality ∑k=2n {1/[k * ln(k)]} ≥ 20

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The discussion centers on finding the smallest natural number n such that the sum from k=2 to n of the expression 1/(k * ln(k)) is greater than or equal to 20. Participants explore the behavior of this sum, noting that it diverges as n approaches infinity, but does not reach 20 for finite n. The integral test is applied to analyze the series, confirming that the sum is continuous and decreasing. One contributor calculates an approximate value for n, suggesting that it must exceed an extraordinarily large number, approximately 2.726413 * 10^70994084, indicating that achieving a sum of 20 is not feasible within reasonable bounds of n. The conversation highlights the complexities of the inequality and the mathematical principles involved in evaluating infinite series.
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interesting inequality involving sums

Which is the smallest n-natural number- for this inecuation:

&#8721k=2n {1/[k * ln(k)]} &#8805 20

Any ideas?
 
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1.0488269074484
Hm... I wonder how i got that.
 
1.0488269074484
Hm... I wonder how i got that.

Very interesting indeed...but how did you get that?'n' must be an integer...
In case it is not clear the sum is from k=2 to n.
 
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I do not see where that number comes into play. It is certainly not the answer.
 
Originally posted by enslam
1.0488269074484
Hm... I wonder how i got that.

I crawl back into my hole and will read the question properly next time.
 


Originally posted by metacristi
Which is the smallest n-natural number- for this inecuation:

&#8721k=2n {1/[k * ln(k)]} &#8805 20

Any ideas?

Nonexistent.
I think if we let n go to infinity we'll still never get above 5 for the sum.
 
very easy
u just use the integral test
because the sum is continuous and decreasing
if n approach to infinite
the sum is diverges and must greater than 20
 
I believe Newton1 is correct in assuming the series diverges by integral test:

Let f(x) = 1/( x ln(x) ), then since f(x) is positive, continous, and decreasing for n>=2 we apply Integral test.

Integral[ 2->inf, 1/(x lnx) ] diverges, therefore the series diverges as well.

Since the partial sums in this series are non-decreasing (all the terms in this series are positive) , then there will exist a least natural number N for which the sum will exceed 20 (and then stay above it).

I'm not sure what the value of N is, but by applying a variant on the integral test, I think I've found a real value B for which N must be greater.

Suppose you approximate the following integral with right-hand riemann sums with delta_x = 1:
Integral[ 2->B, 1/(x lnx) ]
Then the riemann sum approximation will be the sum from k=3 to B of 1/ ( n ln(n) ) (assuming B is integer) and this approximation will be an underestimate.

From which it follows:
Sum[k=2->B, 1/ (n ln(n) )] <
Integral[2->B, 1/ (x lnx )] + 1/(2ln2)

The value of N must be greater than the value of B that first causes the integral + 1/(2ln2) to go over 20 because the sum will be less than the integral + 1/(2ln2).

Integral[ 2->B, 1/(x lnx) ] + 1/(2ln2) >= 20

ln(ln(B)) - ln(ln(2)) +1/(2ln2) >= 20
B >= e^e^(20- 1/(2ln2) +ln(ln(2)))
B >= 2.726413 * 10^70994084

This value is beyond astronomical!
And if I've done my calculations correctly, N must be greater than this!
 
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