# Test the series for convergence

## Main Question or Discussion Point

hello
I have this one:

$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left( 1 - \sqrt[n]{n} \right)$$

mmmmm am sure it will be tested by using one of the comparison tests
but am not getting it
any help?

this is not my homework, actually I finished my college 2 years ago.

I would start by looking at the behavior of just $\sqrt[n]{n}$ as $n\to\infty$. Use the techniques of logarithms to find $\lim \sqrt[n]{n}$. Once you see what $\sqrt[n]{n}$ approaches, you should immediately be able to see how

$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left( 1 - \sqrt[n]{n} \right)$$

must behave. If you don't see it, just consider what $(1-\sqrt[n]{n})$ must approach, knowing the limit of $\sqrt[n]{n}$.

well,
$$1 - \sqrt[n]{n} \rightarrow 0$$ as $$n \rightarrow \infty$$

and this will make no sense.

well,
$$1 - \sqrt[n]{n} \rightarrow 0$$ as $$n \rightarrow \infty$$

and this will make no sense.
You are quite right; in my zeal, I made a mistake in computing the limit of the n-th root of n and getting 0!

I might be wrong but try Cauchy's Condensation Test.
$$1 - n^{\frac{1}{n}} = 2^k (1 - 2^{\frac{k}{2^k}})$$

Which obviously fails the limit test...

It must be solved by the standart test.

Anyone ?

In order to use the CCT your terms need to be positive and non-increasing. This isn't a big deal since we can just negate the sum, and consider the sum starting from n=3.

As for using "standard" tests, what about the integral test? I've only thought as far as:

$$\int_3^\infty (\sqrt[x]{x}-1)\ dx \ge \int_3^\infty (\sqrt[x]{3}-1)\ dx = \int_3^\infty (3^{1/x}-1)\ dx$$

Gib Z
Homework Helper
Theorem: A bounded monotonic sequence converges.

Theorem: A bounded monotonic sequence converges.
Yes, but a sequence is very different from a series. Unless you are referring to the partial sums; but this would require that you can bound the partial sums. Can you elaborate on how this is done?

Gib Z
Homework Helper
The n-th root of n is greater than the n-th root of 1.

Still searching for a solution with standard tests ..

Try finding a function f(x) such that $$\sqrt[x]{x} - 1$$ >> f(x) using l'Hôpital's rule, $$\sqrt[x]{x} - 1$$ > f(x) on [1, ∞), and $\sum_{n=1}^\infty f(n)$ diverges. Then use the comparison test on your series and f(n).

Last edited:
I tried that
but its not easy to find that f
and also f must be positive

$n^{1/n}-1$ is asymptotic to $\log(n)/n$, so you need to analyze the convergence of $\sum\log(n)/n$

$n^{1/n}-1$ is asymptotic to $\log(n)/n$, so you need to analyze the convergence of $\sum\log(n)/n$
Ahh, this indeed will do it. Very clever.