What is the Radius of Convergence for the Power Series Given?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the radius of convergence for the power series given by \(\sum_0^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!} \cdot x^{2n+1}\). Participants explore the application of convergence tests and the implications of dividing by zero in the context of the series.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states the formula for the radius of convergence as \(R= \lim_{n \to \infty } |\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}|\) but expresses confusion about the definition of \(a_n\).
  • Another participant points out that dividing by zero makes the formula not immediately applicable and asks for clarification on how to adjust the proof for the series in question.
  • Further contributions discuss the application of the d'Alembert criterion and its implications for the convergence of the series, with some participants suggesting that the series converges if \(|x|<\sqrt{\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}|}\).
  • One participant calculates the limit for the radius of convergence explicitly, concluding that \(R = \infty\), but this is met with some uncertainty regarding the conditions under which this holds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of the convergence formula and the implications of dividing by zero. There is no consensus on the interpretation of the radius of convergence or the conditions under which it applies.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the potential issues with the proof and the need for careful handling of limits and series terms, particularly regarding the behavior of \(a_n\) as \(n\) approaches infinity.

alejandrito29
Messages
148
Reaction score
0
at the serie [tex]\sum_0^{\infty} a_n (x - c)^n[/tex], the radius of convergency is:
.

[tex]R= \lim_{n \to \infty } |\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}|[/tex]

My problem is : Find the radius of convergency when:
[tex]\sum_0^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!} \cdot x^{2n+1}[/tex]


i don't understand mainly who is [tex]a_n[/tex] .

The answer is [tex]R \to \infty[/tex]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi alejandrito29, :smile:

The problem here is of course that you will divide by zero, and this is not allowed. Thus the formula is not immediately applicable.

Now, how did you prove

[tex]R= \lim_{n \to \infty } |\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}|[/tex]??

Can you adjust the prove such that it also applies to your series now? Essentialy, the proof uses a criterion for series that can be applied to this one (I used to call it the criterion of d'Alembert).
 
micromass said:
Hi alejandrito29, :smile:

The problem here is of course that you will divide by zero, and this is not allowed. Thus the formula is not immediately applicable.

Now, how did you prove

[tex]R= \lim_{n \to \infty } |\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}|[/tex]??

Can you adjust the prove such that it also applies to your series now? Essentialy, the proof uses a criterion for series that can be applied to this one (I used to call it the criterion of d'Alembert).

D'Lambert is:

[tex]\lim_{n \to \infty} |\frac{c_{n+1}}{c_n}|<1[/tex]

i know that
[tex]\lim_{n \to \infty} |\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \cdot \frac{x^{2n+3}}{x^{2n+1}}|<1[/tex]

then

[tex]|x^2|<\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}}|[/tex]

[tex]-\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}}|<x^2<\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}}|[/tex]

but [tex]x^2>0[/tex]...I don't understand

i don't see that [tex]\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}}|[/tex] is a radius
 
Last edited:
alejandrito29 said:
D'Lambert is:

[tex]\lim_{n \to \infty} |\frac{c_{n+1}}{c_n}|<1[/tex]

i know that
[tex]\lim_{n \to \infty} |\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \cdot \frac{x^{2n+3}}{x^{2n+1}}|<1[/tex]

then

[tex]|x^2|<\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}}|[/tex]

Indeed, so the series converges if and only if

[tex]|x|<\sqrt{\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}}|}[/tex]

So the convergence radius is [tex]\sqrt{\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}}|}[/tex]
 
micromass said:
Indeed, so the series converges if and only if

[tex]|x|<\sqrt{\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}}|}[/tex]

So the convergence radius is [tex]\sqrt{\lim _{n \to \infty}|\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}}|}[/tex]

very thanks you
 
Here is your answer
[tex]R= \lim_{n \to \infty } \left |\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} \right |=\lim_{n \to \infty } \left|\frac{\frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!}}{\frac{(-1)^{n+1}}{(2n+3)!}}\right |=\lim_{n \to \infty } \left |\frac{(-1)^n(2n+3)!}{(-1)^{n+1}(2n+1)!}\right |=\lim_{n \to \infty } \left |\frac{(2n+3)(2n+2)}{(-1)}\right |=\lim_{n \to \infty }(2n+3)(2n+2)=\infty[/tex]
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K