Solving Series Convergence Problems: 1+ \frac{1}{3}-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{5}+...

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of two specific series, one involving alternating terms of rational numbers and the other involving alternating terms of square roots. Participants seek hints and insights into the convergence properties of these series, exploring various mathematical approaches and criteria.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants identify the first series as a classical example of a conditionally convergent series, relating it to the known series for ln(2).
  • One participant proposes that the first series can be summed term by term to yield a specific result involving ln(2).
  • Another participant suggests a potential expression for the second series, linking it to the Riemann Zeta Function and the Dirichlet Beta Function.
  • There are multiple formulations and interpretations of the second series, with some participants questioning the validity of their proposed expressions.
  • Technical suggestions are made regarding the proper formatting of mathematical expressions in LaTeX.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the convergence of the series, with some proposing specific results while others challenge or refine these claims. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on the final expressions or convergence properties.

Contextual Notes

Participants' claims depend on various mathematical assumptions and definitions, which are not fully explored or agreed upon. The convergence criteria and the relationships between the series are not definitively established.

Lisa91
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I have a problem with convergence of two series:

1+\frac{1}{3}-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{7}-\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{9}+\frac{1}{11}-\frac{1}{6}+...

1+ \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{4}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}+\frac{1}{ \sqrt{6}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{7}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{8}}+...

Could you give me please any hints so that I can solve them?
 
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Lisa91 said:
I have a problem with convergence of two series:

1+\frac{1}{3}-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{7}-\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{9}+\frac{1}{11}-\frac{1}{6}+...

1+ \frac{1}{sqrt{2}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{3}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{4}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{5}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{6}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{7}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{8}}+...

Could you give me please any hints so that I can solve them?

The first series is a classical example of the properties of a conditionally convergent series. We start with the well known series... $\displaystyle 1 - \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{7} -... = \ln 2$ (1)

... from which we derive...

$\displaystyle \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{6} - \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{10} - \frac{1}{12} + \frac{1}{14} -... = \frac{\ln 2}{2}$ (2)

... that can be written as...

$\displaystyle 0 + \frac{1}{2} + 0 - \frac{1}{4} + 0 + \frac{1}{6}+ 0 - \frac{1}{8} + 0 + \frac{1}{10}+ 0 - \frac{1}{12} + 0 + \frac{1}{14} +... = \frac{\ln 2}{2}$ (3)

The we cas sum 'term by term' (1) and (3) obtaining...

$\displaystyle 1 - \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{5} + \frac{1}{7} - \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{9} + \frac{1}{11} - \frac{1}{6} + ... = \frac{3}{2}\ \ln 2$ (4)

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
May I write
1- \frac{1}{sqrt{2}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{3}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{4}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{5}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{6}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{7}}-... = (\lnn)^{\frac{1}{2}}
 
Lisa91 said:
I have a problem with convergence of two series:

1+\frac{1}{3}-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{7}-\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{9}+\frac{1}{11}-\frac{1}{6}+...

1+ \frac{1}{sqrt{2}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{3}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{4}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{5}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{6}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{7}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{8}}+...

Could you give me please any hints so that I can solve them?

The second series can be written in the form...

$\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n} a_{n}\ ,\ a_{n}= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2 n + 1}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2 n + 2}}$ (1)

Now is $a_{n+1}<a_{n}$ and $\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} a_{n}=0$ so that for the Leibnitz's criterion the series converges...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Just a few $\displaystyle LaTeX$ suggestions:

To express the square root of a value, use the code \sqrt{x}, and for the nth root, use \sqrt[n]{x}.

Your natural log function on the right side is rendered incorrectly because there is no space between it and its argument. I suggest the code \ln(n).
 
Lisa91 said:
May I write
1- \frac{1}{sqrt{2}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{3}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{4}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{5}}-\frac{1}{sqrt{6}}+\frac{1}{sqrt{7}}-... = (\lnn)^{\frac{1}{2}}

Is...

$\displaystyle 1- \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{4}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{7}}-...= (1-\sqrt{2})\ \zeta(\frac{1}{2}) = .6048986434...$ (1)

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Because is...

$\displaystyle 1- \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{4}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{7}}-...= (1-\sqrt{2})\ \zeta(\frac{1}{2})$ (1)

... where $\zeta(*)$ is the Riemann Zeta Function, it is also...

$\displaystyle \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{4}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{8}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{10}}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{12}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{14}}-...= \frac{1-\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2}}\ \zeta(\frac{1}{2})$ (2)

Now remembering the definition of Diriclet Beta Function...

$\displaystyle \beta(s)= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{n}}{(2 n + 1)^{s}}$ (3)

... we obtain...

$\displaystyle 1 + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{4}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{5}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}} - ... = \frac{1-\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2}}\ \zeta(\frac{1}{2}) + \beta(\frac{1}{2})$ (4)

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 

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