maths.free › Calculus › Infinite series and convergence tests

Infinite series and convergence tests

Geometric, p-series, ratio and comparison tests, alternating series.

A series converges if its partial sums settle. Geometric series converge for |r| < 1; p-series for p > 1; the ratio test decides most series with factorials or powers. Picture it: the partial sums as a sequence creeping toward a ceiling. Think it: convergence is a statement about tails — what happens after any finite start is irrelevant.

Worked example: does n/2^n for n = 1 to oo converge

Calculus · Series-And-Sums

Convergence of n/2^n

2^{- n} n

Step by step

  1. \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 2^{- n} n

    Does this series converge?

  2. \lim_{n\to\infty} 2^{- n} n = 0

    Divergence test: if the terms do not go to 0 the series cannot converge.

  3. \lim \left|\frac{a_{k+1}}{a_k}\right| = \lim \frac{\left|{\frac{n + 1}{n}}\right|}{2} = \frac{1}{2}

    Ratio test: < 1 converges, > 1 diverges, = 1 says nothing.

  4. = 2

    It converges, and the CAS knows the sum.

Reveal the answer
\text{converges to } 2

Symbols used here

\sum_{k=1}^{n} a_k
summation
Add a_k for k = 1 up to n.
\lim_{x \to a} f(x)
limit
The value f(x) approaches as x approaches a.
\infty
infinity
Not a number: "grows without bound" in limits and intervals.
|x|
absolute value / modulus
Distance from zero: |−3| = 3. For a complex number, distance from the origin.
\leq,\ \geq
less/greater than or equal
Inequalities that allow equality; < and > exclude it.
\sup,\ \inf
supremum, infimum
Least upper bound, greatest lower bound.
\pi
pi
Ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, 3.14159…
e
Euler's number
2.71828…, the base whose exponential is its own derivative.
\sin,\ \cos,\ \tan
sine, cosine, tangent
Ratios of sides in a right triangle; coordinates on the unit circle.
\log_b x,\ \ln x
logarithm, natural log
The exponent b must be raised to for x; ln uses base e.
f'(x),\ \frac{dy}{dx}
derivative
Instantaneous rate of change; slope of the graph.
\int f(x)\,dx,\ \int_a^b
integral
Antiderivative (indefinite) or signed area from a to b (definite).
y',\ y''
first and second derivative of y
Prime notation for derivatives with respect to x (or t).
C,\ C_1,\ C_2
arbitrary constants
Constants of integration fixed by initial conditions.

How to: Infinite series and convergence tests

  1. Does this series converge?
  2. Divergence test: if the terms do not go to 0 the series cannot converge.
  3. Ratio test: < 1 converges, > 1 diverges, = 1 says nothing.
  4. It converges, and the CAS knows the sum.

Questions people ask

What is a derivative in one sentence?

The slope of the graph at a point — the rate at which the output is changing there. Speed is the derivative of position.

What is an integral in one sentence?

The accumulated total of a rate — the area under the curve. Distance travelled is the integral of speed.

Why are derivatives and integrals opposites?

That is the fundamental theorem of calculus: accumulating a rate and then measuring how fast the accumulation grows gets you back the rate. Integration undoes differentiation up to a constant.

When do I use substitution and when integration by parts?

Substitution when part of the integrand is the derivative of another part (u and du both present). Parts when the integrand is a product of two unrelated kinds of function — a polynomial times an exponential, log or trig function.

Try your own

More in Calculus

LimitsDerivativesIntegralsDefinite integralsTaylor seriesSeries and sumsMaxima and minimaThe chain ruleImplicit differentiationRelated rates and optimisationIntegration techniques: substitution, parts, partial fractionsApplications of integration: area, volume, arc length