Sum from 1 to infinity of (1+n)/((n)2^n) ~ is this right?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lo.Lee.Ta.
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Infinity Sum
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of the series defined by the sum from 1 to infinity of (1+n)/[(n)(2^n)]. Participants are exploring the application of the ratio test to determine convergence and are questioning the validity of their calculations and assumptions regarding the series behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to apply the ratio test and discuss the implications of encountering indeterminate forms like ∞/∞. There are questions about the correctness of their LaTeX formatting and the distribution of terms in the denominator. Some participants express uncertainty about whether they need to evaluate the series or simply check for convergence.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the convergence of the series, with some participants suggesting that the limit of the ratio of coefficients might indicate convergence. However, there is no explicit consensus on the exact value to which the series converges, and some participants clarify that the limit of the ratio test only indicates convergence, not the sum of the series.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the depth of their exploration. There is also a focus on ensuring proper mathematical notation and understanding the implications of their findings regarding convergence.

Lo.Lee.Ta.
Messages
217
Reaction score
0
1.

Ʃ (1+n)/[(n)(2n)]
n=1


2. When I see that there is an n as an exponent, I think to do the ratio test.
___________________________________________________________________________

[itex]\frac{\frac{1+n+1}{(n+1)(2^{n+1})}}{\frac{1+n}{(n)(2^{n})}}[/itex]

= [itex]\frac{n(n+2)}{2(n+1)^{2}}[/itex]

= [itex]\frac{n^{2} + 2n}{2(n+1)^{2}}[/itex]


Would equal ∞/∞, so I think I'm supposed to do L'Hospital's rule...

→L'Hospital's→ [itex]\frac{2n^{2} + 2}{4n + 2}[/itex]

I think it would still equal ∞/∞, so would I do L'Hospital rule again?

→L'Hospital's→ [itex]\frac{4n + 2}{4}[/itex]

It no longer equals ∞/∞, so would we then have: n + 1/2 = ∞

This really doesn't seem right... :/
Please help!
Thanks so much! :D
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Lo.Lee.Ta. said:
1.

Ʃ (1+n)/[(n)(2n)]
n=1


2. When I see that there is an n as an exponent, I think to do the ratio test.
______________________________________________________________________________

[itex]\frac{\frac{1+n+1}{(n+1)(2<sup>n+1</sup>}}{\frac{1+n}{(n)(2<sup>n</sup>)}}[/itex]

= [itex]\frac{n(n+2)}{2(n+1)<sup>2</sup>}[/itex]

= [itex]\frac{n<sup>2</sup> + 2n}{2(n+1)<sup>2</sup>}[/itex]

ALSO, DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MY LATEX SYMBOLS?!
Yes. You can't use the [ SUP] [\SUP] tags in LaTeX.
I'm trying to write the same thing as what's below:

[(1+n+1)/[(n+1)(2n+1)]]/[(1+n)/((n)(2n))]

= n(n+2)/(2(n+1)2)

= (n2 + 2n)/(2n2 + 2n + 1)
______________________________________________________________________________

Would equal ∞/∞, so I think I'm supposed to do L'Hospital's rule...

→L'Hospital's→ [itex]\frac{2n^2 + 2}{4n + 2}[/itex]

I think it would still equal ∞/∞, so would I do L'Hospital rule again?

→L'Hospital's→ [itex]\frac{4n + 2}{4}[/itex]

It no longer equals ∞/∞, so would we then have: n + 1/2 = ∞

This really doesn't seem right... :/
Please help!
Thanks so much! :D
Are you only checking for convergence, or do you need to evaluate the series?
 
Yay, I figured out the Latex.

And I guess I only have to check for convergence, but would I be able to find what it actually converges to?
 
[itex]\displaystyle \frac{1+n}{n}=\frac{1}{n}+1[/itex]
 
Okay, I didn't distribute 2 to all the terms in the denominator!

I think it should really be:

[itex]\frac{n^{2} + 2n}{2n^{2} + 4n + 2}[/itex]

But because we have 2 as the highest power in both the denominator and numerator, can't we use the ratio of the coefficients and just say that the expression goes to 1/2?

In the ratio test, if our answer is less than 1, it converges. If it's greater than 1, it diverges.

So in this case, our expression converges.

...Also, can we figure out what the number is that it converges to? Is that number 1/2?

Thanks! :)
 
Lo.Lee.Ta. said:
Okay, I didn't distribute 2 to all the terms in the denominator!

I think it should really be:

[itex]\frac{n^{2} + 2n}{2n^{2} + 4n + 2}[/itex]

But because we have 2 as the highest power in both the denominator and numerator, can't we use the ratio of the coefficients and just say that the expression goes to 1/2?
Yes, the limit is 1/2. An easier way to see this is:
$$ \lim_{n \to \infty}\frac{n^2 + 2n}{2(n + 1)^2} = \lim_{n \to \infty}\frac{n^2(1 + 2/n)}{2n^2(1 + 2/n + 1/n^2 } = 1/2$$
Lo.Lee.Ta. said:
In the ratio test, if our answer is less than 1, it converges. If it's greater than 1, it diverges.
You would be clearer if you didn't use the word "it." In the sentence above, "it" refers to two different things.

In the ratio test, if our answer is less than 1, [STRIKE]it[/STRIKE] the series converges. If [STRIKE]it's[/STRIKE] the answer is greater than 1, [STRIKE]it[/STRIKE] the series diverges.
Lo.Lee.Ta. said:
So in this case, our expression converges.

...Also, can we figure out what the number is that it converges to? Is that number 1/2?

Thanks! :)
No, the fact that the ratio of successive terms has a limit of 1/2 tells us only that the series converges, but not what the sum of the series is.
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
2K