Sum of n*cos(1/n) over (2n+1) - Divergence Explained | Simplified Series

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the sum from 1 to infinity of the expression n*cos(1/n) over (2n+1). Participants are exploring the convergence or divergence of this series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss simplifying the expression to n/(2n+1) and consider the behavior of the cosine term as n approaches infinity. There is uncertainty about the implications of the limit of the terms and whether the series converges or diverges based on the relationship between the numerator and denominator.

Discussion Status

Some participants have reached a conclusion regarding divergence based on the limit of the nth term being 1/2, while others are questioning the reasoning behind this conclusion and exploring the behavior of the terms further. There is an ongoing examination of the assumptions made about the growth rates of the numerator and denominator.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion due to a lack of recent practice with similar problems, and there is a mention of testing theories with specific sample terms to better understand the behavior of the series.

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Question asks to evaluate sum from 1 to infinity of n*cos(1/n) over (2n+1)

--> I am not sure how to do this.

I tried simplifying it to n/(2n+1) since the cos term is approaching 1 as n --> infinity. If i take the limit for that i get 1/2, so I concluded the series diverges.
--> but the bottom term is bigger than the top term, so why wouldn't it converge?

Thank you(it has been a while since I learned this so I am a bit confused).
 
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Why would it converge just because the bottom term is larger than the top? You've already reached the correct conclusion. The limit of the nth term is 1/2. The sum can't possibly converge.
 
I am saying, if i look at n/(2n+1), as n gets higher, the bottom is growing faster, so wouldn't it go to 0?
 
There is nothing wrong with posing theories like "If the denominator of a fraction is growing faster than the numerator then the limit is zero." We are doing mathematics here, so the next step is to test it. Take some sample terms like n=1000. 1000/2001. n=1000000. 1000000/2000001. They don't look like they are going to zero to me. It looks like they are approaching 1/2. So your 'theory' must be wrong. Try it with n/(2n).
 

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