Study the convergence and absolute convergence of the following series

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence and absolute convergence of the series \(\sum_{n=1}^\infty (-1)^n \frac {log(n)}{e^n}\). Participants explore the necessary conditions for convergence and the application of various convergence tests.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss taking the absolute value of the series and computing limits to check for convergence. There are questions about which functions to use for comparison and the sufficiency of the limit condition. Various tests for convergence, such as the ratio test and root test, are mentioned, along with considerations for alternating series.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the steps to take for determining convergence, including the application of the root test. There is acknowledgment of the need for further exploration of convergence tests and the implications of the limit condition.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the limit condition being zero is necessary but not sufficient for convergence, referencing the harmonic series as an example. There is also a correction regarding the terminology used for "series" in English.

DottZakapa
Messages
239
Reaction score
17
Homework Statement
study convergence and absolute convergence
Relevant Equations
numerical series
## \sum_{n=1}^\infty (-1)^n \frac {log(n)}{e^n}##

i take the absolute value and consider just

## \frac {log(n)}{e^n}##

i check by computing the limit if the necessary condition for convergence is satisfied

##\lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} \frac {log(n)}{e^n} =\lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} \frac {1}{ne^n}=0 ##

condition satisfied, now how do i find the rest? with which function can i compare it in order to find if it absolutely converges or not?
in the sense that, at this point i should find some serie for which i know the behaviour, then through comparison or asymptotic comparison i ca find out if the series converges or not.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
DottZakapa said:
Homework Statement:: study convergence and absolute convergence
Homework Equations:: numerical series

## \sum_{n=1}^\infty (-1)^n \frac {log(n)}{e^n}##

i take the absolute value and consider just

## \frac {log(n)}{e^n}##

i check by computing the limit if the necessary condition for convergence is satisfied

##\lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} \frac {log(n)}{e^n} =\lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} \frac {1}{ne^n}=0 ##

condition satisfied, now how do i find the rest?
But this condition is not sufficient. For example, the same limit for the series ##\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac 1 n## is zero, but this series (harmonic series) is known to diverge.

Can you determine that the series itself converges - not the series of absolute values?

DottZakapa said:
with which function can i compare it in order to find if it absolutely converges or not?
in the sense that, at this point i should find some series for which i know the behaviour, then through comparison or asymptotic comparison i ca find out if the series converges or not.
What other tests for convergence do you know? Some common tests other than the comparison test are the limit comparison test, ratio test, and a couple of others.

BTW, "serie" isn't a word in English. "Series" is both singular and plural.
 
Mark44 said:
BTW, "serie" isn't a word in English. "Series" is both singular and plural.

Thanks for the correction :)

Mark44 said:
But this condition is not sufficient. For example, the same limit for the series ##\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac 1 n## is zero, but this series (harmonic series) is known to diverge.

Yes is not sufficient but is a necessary according to one theorem.
But in case such limit is not zero, tells me that the series does not converges, hence i can stop there. If I understood correctly.

If it is zero i proceed applying the tests in order to find out if it converges or not.

Being a series with alternating signs, in order to study the simple and absolute convergence

1) I study the behaviour of ##\sum_{n=n0}^\infty |a_n|=\sum_{n=n0}^\infty b_n ##

2) If the series ##\sum_{n=n0}^\infty b_n## converges, then ##\sum_{n=n0}^\infty a_n ## converges absolutely and converges.

3) If the series ##\sum_{n=n0}^\infty b_n## diverges and ##\lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} b_n =0 ## and the sequence ##{b_n}## is decreasing i can apply ##Leibniz## alternating series test.

So, now, in order to check point 2 i use one of the tests for positive series , which can be
- ##ratio~test## or
- ##root~test ## or
- ##comparison~test## or
-##asymptotic~comparison~test##

Am I correct?
 
DottZakapa said:
Homework Statement:: study convergence and absolute convergence
Homework Equations:: numerical series

## \sum_{n=1}^\infty (-1)^n \frac {log(n)}{e^n}##

i take the absolute value and consider just

## \frac {log(n)}{e^n}##
I proceeded as follows:

##\sum_{n=1}^\infty |(-1)^n \frac {log(n)}{e^n}| = \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac {log(n)}{e^n}##

I apply the ## Root~Test##

##\lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} \frac {log(n)}{e^n}~=~\lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} \sqrt [n]{\frac {log(n)}{e^n}}~=~\lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} \frac {log(n)^\left(\frac 1 n \right)}{e}~=~ \frac 1 e \lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} log(n)^\left(\frac 1 n \right)##
the ##\lim_{n \rightarrow +\infty} \frac {log(n)} {n} =~0##, therefore, being ##l<1## the series converges absolutely.

Is the procedure correct?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K