Chapter one Sequences and Series

A Sequence is a list of numbers written in order. {a 1 , a 2 , a3 , . .. } on the list above

st nd rd
a 1=1 term, a 2=2 term, a 3=3 term, etc....

The idea of a sequence of numbers, a 1 , a2 , a3 , . .. is straightforward, it is useful to think of a

sequence as a function. We have up until now dealt with functions whose domains are the real
numbers, or a subset of the real numbers, like f(x) = sin x. A sequence is a function with domain
the natural numbers N = {1, 2, 3, . . .} or the non-negative integers, Z ≥ 0 = {0, 1, 2, 3, . . .}. The
range of the function is still allowed to be the real numbers; in symbols, we say that a sequence is
a function f : N → R. Sequences are written in a few different ways, all equivalent; these all mean
∞ ∞
the same thing: a 1 , a2 , a3 , . ..∨{ a n }n=1∨{ f (n) }n=1.some sequence are defined recursively, if one or
more of the first terms are given all other term are defined using the previous ones.in the
∞
sequence { an }n=m, n is index and m is initial index.

Example: For the sequence {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . },we can give a formula for the nth
term.a n=n .

Graph of a Sequence

A sequence is a function from the positive integers to the real numbers, with f (n)=a n which is
not continuous but we can draw a graph of this function as a set of points in the plane.

The points on the graph are (1 , a1 ),(2, a 2),(3 , a3 ),. . . ,(n , an ),

{ } { }
∞ ∞
(−1)n 2 n3 −1
Example: below, we show the graphs of the sequence and
n n=1 n3 n=1

1|Page
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

Operation on sequence

Like other functions, we can define combination of sequence i.e if { an } and { b n } are sequence and
k is constant

(i) k{ an }= { k an } (scalar multiplication)

(ii) { an } ± { bn }= { an ± bn } (sum and difference)
(iii) { an }{bn }={a n b n } (product of sequence)

(iv)
{an } an
=
{bn } bn {} (quotient of sequence)

Example: (1) strip out the first four terms of

{ } { }
∞ ∞
1 8π
(i) n− (ii) cos
n n=5 2n n=1

2. Write the general term of the following

1 1 1
(i). 1 , , , , … … ..
3 9 27

1 4 9
(ii). , , ,……..
√ π √3 π √4 π

2|Page
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

Limit of a Sequence

Definition: suppose that { an }n=1is sequence .we say that nlim

∞ a n=L if every ∈>0 there is an N >0
→∞

so that when ever n> N ,|an−L|<∈ . if nlim a n=L we say that the sequence converges, otherwise it
→∞

diverges.

Theorem: suppose that lim a n=L and lim bn =M and k is some constant.
n→∞ n→∞

(i) lim k a n=k lim an =kL

n→∞ n→∞

(ii) lim ¿
n→∞

(iii) lim ¿
n→∞

(iv) lim ¿
n→∞

(v) lim ¿, M ≠ 0
n→∞

Theorem: (sandwich theorem) : if nlim a n=¿ lim c n=L ¿ and a ≤ b ≤ c , ∀ n ∈ N then lim bn =L.
→∞ n →∞ n n n n→∞

Theorem: (Absolute theorem) : nlim

→∞
|a n| ¿ 0 if and only if nlim
→∞
a n=¿ 0. ¿

n
r
Remark: for any fixed r , lim =0.
n →∞ n!

∞
Example: Determine whether {(−1)n }n=0converges or diverges. If it converges, compute the limit.
This does not make sense for all real exponents, but the sequence is easy to understand: it is 1,
−1, 1, −1, 1 ... and clearly diverges.

{ }
∞
−1 n
Example: Determine whether ( ) converges or diverges. If it converges, compute the
2 n=0

{| |} { }
∞
n n ∞
−1 1
limit. We consider the sequence ( ) =( ) then
2 n=0 2 n=0

x
1 1
lim ( ) =lim x =0, the sequence converges to 0.
x→ ∞ 2 x→ ∞ 2

3|Page
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

Example: Determine if the following sequence converges or diverges and if it converges find the
limit.

{ }
∞
1 ∞
(i) e x + cosnx (iv){ √n n+ 6n }n =2
n n=1

{ }
∞
∞ cosnπ
(ii) {3√n 3n +5n }n=1 (v)
n n =1

{ }
∞
sin 2 n
(iii)
n n=1

Bounded and Monotone Sequences

Definition: A sequence {an } is said to be

(i) Bounded below iff ∃ M 1 ∋: M 1 ≤ a n , ∀ n ∈ N .

(ii) Bounded above iff ∃ M 2 ∋: M 2 ≥ a n , ∀ n ∈ N .

(iii) Bounded iff ∃ M ∋:|an|≤ M , ∀ n∈ N .

(iv) Increasing iff an ≤ an+ 1 , ∀ n∈ N .

(v) decreasing iff an ≥ an+ 1 , ∀ n ∈ N .
(vi) strictly Increasing iff an < an+1 , ∀ n∈ N .
(vii) Strictly decreasingiff an > an+1 , ∀ n∈ N .
(viii) Monotonic if either ↑∨↓ .
(ix) Strictly Monotonic if either strictly ↑∨strictly ↓ .
 For testing monotonicity of sequence use the following ways.

(i).Difference between successive terms

 if a n+1−an >0 , { a n } is strictly ↑

 if a n+1−an <0 , { a n } is strictly ↓

 if a n+1−an ≥0 , { an } is↑

 if a n+1−an ≤0 , { an } is↓

(ii). Ratio of successive terms

4|Page
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

an +1
 if >1 , { a n } is strictly ↑
an
an +1
 if <1 , { a n } is strictly ↓
an
an +1
 if ≥ 1, { an } is↑
an
an +1
 if ≤1 , { a n } is ↓
an

(iii). Derivative test: suppose f (x) is defined and differentiable on ¿ and

f ( n )=a n , ∀ n ∈ N , for x ≥ 1

 if f ' ( x ) ≥0 then an ≤ an+ 1 , ∀ n∈ N i. e an ↑.

 if f ' ( x ) ≤0 then an ≥ an+ 1 , ∀ n∈ N i. e an ↓ .

Example: Discuss the boundedness and monotonicity of the following.

∞
(1) .a n={3+(−1)n }n=1

(2) . show that

2n
(i)a n= is strictly increasing
n+1
n
2
(ii)a n= Is decreasing
n!
n
e
(iii)a n= is increasing
n
n
5
(iv)a n= n
is strictly increasing
n! 3

Theorem: Every convergent sequence is bounded.

Proof: let { an } be convergent sequence i.e nlim a n=l , so for ∈=1 , ∃ M

→∞ 1

n ≥ M 1 ⇒|an−l|<1 so, n ≥ M 1 ,|a n|=|an−l+l|≤|an −l|+|l|≤1+|l|

5|Page
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

For n ≥ M 1 ,|a n|≤ 1+|l| choose M =max {|a m| ,|am +1| ,… … ,|am−1|, 1+|l|} then |an|≤ M , n ≥ M
thus, a nis bounded.

Theorem: Every bounded monotonic sequence is convergent.

Some basic facts about convergent sequences

 A sequence converges to a if and only if any of its tail sequences converges to a.

i.e. you can throw away finitely many terms from the sequence without affecting
its convergence.
 a n → a is the same as a n−a → 0.
 a n → a is the same as¿ a n−a∨→ 0.
 Ifa n → a and b n → b, then t an +s bn →ta + sb .
 If a n → a and b n → b, then a n b n → ab .
an a
 If a n → a and b n → b and b ≠ 0 , then → .
bn b
 If a n → a and f is a function continuous at a, then f (a n) → f (a .)
 Boundedness doesn’t implies convergence of sequence
 Unbounded sequence is divergent

Example: investigate the convergence of sequence { an } defined recursively by

a 1=√ 2 ,a n+1= √ 2+a n for n ≥ 1

√
Solution: the first four terms of { an } are √ 2 , √ 2+ √ 2 , √ 2+ √ 2+ √ 2 , 2+ √ 2+ √ 2+ √ 2

If the sequence { an } has limit A, then A would seem to be the natural interpretation of the value

√
of the infinite expression 2+ √ 2+ √ 2+ √ 2 … … . We will apply the bounded monotones sequence
property to show that this limit does exist, note that a 1<2 . if we assume inductively that a n< 2
for some n ≥ 1 then it follows that

2
( a n+1 ) =2+ an < 4 so, a n+1 <2

Thus, the sequence { an } is bounded from above by the number 2. We observe next that

6|Page
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

2 2 2
( a n+1 ) −an =2+ an−( an ) =( 2−a n) ( 1+ an ) >0

Because 2−an and 1+a n are both positive. Because a n+1anda n are positive if follow that a n+1 >a n
for alln ≥ 1.thus { an }is a monotone increasing sequence.

Therefore, the bounded monotone property implies that the sequence { an } has a limit A. it does
not tell us the number A is. But now that we know that the limit A of the sequence { an } exist, we
an +1=lim √ 2+ an= √2+ A ⇒ A =2+ A
2
can write A=lim
n →∞ n →∞

The roots of the equation are -1 and 2. It is clear that A> 0 , so we finally conclude that
lim a n=2.
n→∞

Example: Discuss the convergence of the inductively defined sequence

1
a 1=1 , an +1=3− by showing that a n is increasing and a n ≤ 3 for all n.
an

Example: consider the sequence √ 6 , √ 6+ √ 6 , √ 6 + √ 6+ √ 6 , … ..

(i) Write the recursion formula for a n+1 , an

(ii) Find nlim

→∞
an

Example:

(i) The sequence { an } is increasing and |an|≤ ( n+1n + ( n+1n! ) ! ) show that a n is

convergent.
1.3 .5 … … .( 2n−1)
(ii) Show that a n= is convergent.
2.4 .6 … … ..(2n)
1
Let { an } be defined by a 0=0 , an +1=a n +
2
(iii) , n ≥ 0 show that a n is convergent.
4

Sub sequence

7|Page
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

Definition: a sequence { b n } is sub sequence of { an } if and only if all terms of { b n } occur among the
terms of { an } in the same order.

Definition:

(i) Every sub sequence of convergent sequence converges to the same limit.
(ii) If two sub sequence of { an } converge to different limit then the sequence { an } is divergent.

Example: (1). { 14 , 16 , 18 , 101 , … …..} is sub sequence of { 14 , 16 , 18 , 101 , 121 … … ..} but

{ 4 , 8 , 6 , 10 , … …..} is not sub sequence because of its order.

1 1 1 1

(2).Give{ an }= {1 , 2 ,1 , 2 ,1 , 2 , … … … . } then { b n }= {1 , 1 ,1 , … .. } and { c n } ={ 2 ,2 , 2 , … … } are sub

sequence of { an } which is divergent sequence.

Example: consider the sequence { an } where

1 2 −−−−−−∓n
(i) a n= 2
+ 2+ 2
n n n
1 2 −−−−−−+n
(ii) a n= 2
+ 2
+
( n+1 ) ( n+1 ) ( n+1 )2
(a) Find a 1 , a2 , a3anda 4 (b) calculate the limit of a n

Infinite Series

While much more can be said about sequences, we now turn to our principal interest, series.
∞
Recall that a series, roughly speaking, is the sum of a sequence: if { an }n=0is a sequence then the
∞
associated series is ∑ an=a0 +a1 + a2+ a3 ,+. . .
n=0

Associated with a series is a second sequence, called the sequence of partial sums
∞
{ Sn }n=0
n
Sn = ∑ ai
i=0

8|Page
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

So, s0 =a0 , s 1=a 0+ a1 , s 2=a0 + a1+ a2 , .. . … … . , S n=Sn−1 +a n , ∀ n

Definition: if the sequence of partial sum , Sn converge to L i.e nlim S n=L(exist ) then the series
→∞

∑ an converges otherwise the series diverges. If the series converges it has unique sum.
Example: (A convergent series) A boy is given a chocolate, and he decides that each day he is
going to eat half of what is left of the chocolate. So, the first day he eats half of the chocolate (
1 1 1 1
¿ , the second day he eats half of what is left ( · = of the chocolate), the third day he eats
2 2 2 4
1 1 1
half of what is left ( · = of the chocolate), and so on.
2 4 8

n
1
1−( )
1 1 1 1 2 1
After n days, he has eaten sn= + +. . .+ n = =1− n of a chocolate.
2 4 2 2 1− 1 2
2

The amount sn of chocolate he has eaten in n days obviously increases with n, and it gets closer to

1 (the whole chocolate) as n → ∞, so nlim s n=1. We indicate this by writing

→∞

1 1 1
+ + +. . .=1
2 4 8

Where by the dots indicate that the sum on the left is “never ending” (it is an infinite sum, or a
series).

Example: (A divergent series) Consider now that the boy is given the first day a chocolate, the
second day is asked to give it back, the third day he is given again a chocolate, the fourth day he
is asked to give it back, and so on (not a very nice think to do, but think that the boy is well-
behaved on odd days and misbehaves on even ones).
The total amount of chocolate the boy has on the nth day is

n
sn=1−1+1−… … …+ (−1 ) =
1−(−1 )
2
= 1 , if n is odd
n

0 , if n is even{

9|Page
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

You can see that sn=1 if n is odd and sn=0 if n is even, so the sequence sn does not have a limit
(the sequence snoscillates between 0 and 1, so sndoes not get closer to a real number as n → ∞).
This means that we cannot say how much chocolate the boy has in the long run (as n → ∞ ), so we
cannot attach a value to the infinite sum 1−1+1−1+ . ..

Example: Find the exact value of the first four partial sum and deduce the convergence of the
series

2 2 −−−−−−−−−+2
(i) 2+ 2
+ 2+ n−1
+−−¿
5 5 5
2 n−1
1 2 2 −−−−∓2
(ii) + + + +−−−−¿
4 4 4 4

Example: Find an infinite series whose sequence of partial sum is

3n
(i) sn=
2 n+1
2n
(ii) sn=
n+5

∞ ∞
Theorem: (Addition of series) if ∑ an and ∑ bn are convergent series, the
n=0 n=0

∞ ∞

∑ (a ¿ ¿ n+bn )¿ and ∑ (ca ¿¿ n)¿ are also convergent series (for any ∈ R ) and
n=0 n=0

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

∑ (a ¿ ¿ n+bn )=∑ an ¿ + ∑ bn and ∑ (ca ¿¿ n)=c ∑ an ¿.

n=0 n=0 n=0 n=0 n=0

Definition: (Telescoping series) if the series has the form

( a 1−a2 ) + ( a2−a3 ) +−−−−∓(a n−a n+1 ) it is called telescoping series i.e

sn=a1−a2+ a2−a3 +−−−−+ an−an+1

¿ a 1−an +1

If nlim s n=a1−lim a n+1 exist the telescoping series is convergent.

→∞ n→∞

10 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

∞
Definition: (geometric series) the series ∑ a r n=a+ar +a r 2+−−−−−+a r n is geometric series
n=0

with common ratior and non-zero constanta .

Theorem: (convergence of GS)

∞
Consider the geometric series ∑ a r
n

n=0

∞
a
If |r|<1 , then ∑ a r converge and has sum , s=
n
(i)
n=0 1−r
∞
If |r|≥ 1 , then ∑ a r diverge and has no sum.
n
(ii)
n=0

Example: Find the sum of

( )
∞ n n
6 3 +7
(i) ∑ +
(n+ 3)(n+5) 21n
n =1

( 24 − n (n+1) )
∞
2
(ii) ∑ n
n =1

(iii) ln 1−( 14 )+ln ( 1− 19 )+ ln (1− 161 )+−−−−−−−¿

1 1 1
(iv) + + +−−−−−−−¿
1.3 2.4 3.5

Example: Find all value of x for which the series converges

3 5 7
(i) x−x + x −x +−−−−−−¿
−x −2 x −3 x
(ii) e +e +e +−−−−−¿

Example: A ball is dropped from a height of 8 feet and beings bouncing the height of each
bounce is three-fourth of the previous bounce. Find the total vertical distance traveled by the
ball.

∞
6n
Example: show that ∑ =2
n =1 ( 3n +1−2n +1 ) (3n−2 n)

11 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

Theorem: ( nth test for convergence)

∞
If ∑ an convergence, thennlim a n=0.
→∞
n =1

Theorem :(nth test for divergence)

∞
If nlim a n=0 or lim a n does not exist then,∑ a diverges (contra positive of the above theorem).
→∞ n→∞ n
n =1

∞
Remark: If lim a n=0 , ∑ an may or may not converge.
n→∞ n=1

Example: determine whether the series converges or not.

∞
(i) ∑ nln(1+ 1n )
n =1

∞
(ii) ∑ sin ⁡(n)
n =1

Series with non-negative terms

It is generally quite difficult, often impossible, to determine the value of a series exactly. In
many cases it is possible at least to determine whether or not the series converges, and so we will
spend most of our time on this problem. If all of the terms a n in a series are non-negative, the
series is positive series. Here we have some test for determine the convergence and divergence of
an infinite series some of them are:

(i).(integral test)

Theorem: if { an } be non - negative sequence and suppose f (x) is positive, continuous and
decreasing function on ¿ such that f ( n )=a n then

∞ ∞

(i) The series converge∑ an ⇔∫ f ( x)dx converges

n =1 1

∞ ∞

(ii) The series ∑ an diverges ⇔∫ f ( x )dx diverge.

n =1 1

12 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

(ii).(p-series and harmonic series)

∞
The series ∑ n1p =1+ 21p + 31p +−−−−−−¿ is called p- series (hyper harmonic) where p is
n =1

constant.

∞
1 1 1
If p=1 ,∑ =1+ + +−−−−−−¿ is harmonic series which is divergent.
n =1 n 2 3

Theorem: (p-test)

∞
1
The p-series ∑
n =1 np

(i) Convergent if p>1

(ii) Divergent if p ≤1

1 1 1 1
Example:Does the series + + + +· ·· converge?
1 2√2 3√ 3 4√ 4
3
Yes, this is a p series with p= >1.
2

∞
1
Example: Does the series∑ converge?
n =2 nln (n)

1
Set f ( x )= then since both x and ln (x)are positive and decreasing with x
xln(x)
for x >1, we see that f is positive and decreasing on ¿

∞ ∞
dx dt
∫ xln(x) =∫ =¿ ln ∞−ln ( ln 2 ) =∞ , the series must diverge by the integral test.
2 ln 2 t

∞
1
Example: does the series ∑ p converge for p>1 ?
n =2 nln ( n )

1
Set f ( x )= p then since both x and ln (x) are both positive and increasing
xln ( x )
with x for x >1, we see that f is positive and decreasing on ¿ . but

13 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

∞ ∞

∫ dx( ) p = ∫ dttp =¿
2 xln x ln ⁡(2)

The series must converge by the integral test.

Example: check the convergence or divergence of the following.

∑ n2 en
−3

(i)
n =1

∞
1
(ii) ∑ nlnnln(lnn )
n=3

( n1 − (n+1) )
∞
1
(iii) ∑ 3 3
n =1

∞
(iv) ∑ lnn1 n
n =2

∞ ∞
Theorem: (comparison test) Let ∑ an and ∑ bn be series with non- negative term a n , b n ≥ 0 ,
n =1 n =1

∞ ∞
(i) If a n ≤ bn , ∀ n ≥1 and ∑ bn converges, then ∑ an converges.
n =1 n =1

∞ ∞
(ii) If a n ≥ b n , ∀ n ≥1 and ∑ bn diverges, then ∑ an diverges.
n =1 n =1

Remark: geometric and p- series are especially use full in such comparison test.

∞
1
Example: assuming nothing about p- series, show that the series∑ converges.
n =1 n2

1 2
Solution: we can take a n= b=
2 and n thena n ≤ bn since after multiplying up,
n n(n+1)

∞
2
n+1 ≤ 2 n for n ≥ 1 but ∑ n(n+1) =2< ∞ since the series can be written as the telescoping sum
n =1

∑( )
∞
2 2 1
− therefore, ∑ 2 converges .
n =1 n n+1 n=1 n

14 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

∞
1
Example: does∑ 2 converge?
n =2 n lnn

∞
n+1
Example: show that the series ∑ diverges.
n =1 n √n

Theorem: (limit of comparison test)

an
Suppose ∑ an and ∑ bn be non-negative series such that lim =L>0
n→∞ bn

(i) If ∑ bn converges, then ∑ an converges.

(ii) If ∑ bn diverges, then ∑ an diverges.

Remark: use LCT, by taking highest power of numerator and denominator.

∞ n
(n−1)
Example: discuss the convergence of the series∑
n =2 nn+1

( ) ( ) 1n ¿
∞ n n ∞ ∞ n
(n−1) n−1 1 1
Here, the key is to write∑ n+1 =∑ =¿ ∑ 1− and to know that
n =2 n n=2 n n n=2 n

( )
n
1 −1
1− → e >0as n → ∞. So the series is going to be compare to harmonic series which is
n
n ∞ ∞
1 (n−1)
diverges. We take a n= and b n= n+1 then since∑ an=∞, so does ∑ bn=¿ ∞ ¿
n n n =1 n =1

( )
bn 1
n
−1
Because lim =lim 1− =e >0 .
n→∞ an n → ∞ n

∞
n+ 4 n
Example: discuss the convergence of the series ∑ n
n =1 n+ 6

∞
4n
The series is going to be compared to ∑ which is convergent geometric series
n =1 6n

4
n
4
n
an 1+ n 4−n
Let a n= n and b n = n then = −n
→ 1 as n → ∞ since bothn 4−n ∧n 6−n tend to zero n → ∞ .
6 6 b n 1+n 6

15 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

∞
1
Example: discuss the convergence of the series ∑ no conclusion can be given by CT.
n =1 2+ √ n

∞
1
Example: discuss the convergence of the series ∑ no conclusion by LCT.
n =2 lnn

∞ ∞
Example: if a n> 0 and ∑ an <∞ , show that ∑ ln ⁡(1+ an)< ∞
n =1 n =1

∞
First of all, since∑ an <∞ , an →0 asn → ∞. Now since
n =1

ln ⁡( 1+ x)
lim =1
x→ ∞ x

ln ⁡(1+ an)
We have lim =1
n→∞ an

∞
and∑ ln ⁡(1+ an)< ∞follows from the limit comparison test.
n =1

Theorem: (Ratio test (RAT))

| |
a n+1
∞
Given the series ∑ an , suppose that l=lim exist
n =1 n→∞ an

∞
(i) If l<1 , the series ∑ an converges(absolutely);
n =1

∞
(ii) If l>1 , the series ∑ an diverges.
n =1

(iii) If l=1 , the test is inconclusive (the series may converge or diverge).

Remark: ratio test is effective for n! Expression and nth power of constant.

n
Example: consider the series ∑ ∞ 2n we have
n=¿¿

16 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

n+1

| |
a n+1 n+1
2 n+ 1 1 n
l=lim
n→∞ an
=lim
n→∞ n
=lim
n →∞ 2 n
= <1 Hence by ratio test it follow that the series
2
∑ ∞ 2n
n=¿¿
n
2
converges.

Example: determine the convergence and divergence of the following series.

∞
(i) ∑ lnn
en
n =1

∞
( 2 n) !
(ii) ∑ n !(2n)n
n =1

∞ n
(iii) ∑ nn !
n =1

Theorem: (root test (RT))

∞
Given the series ∑ an , suppose that l=lim
n→∞
√
n
|a n| exist
n =1

∞
(i) If l<1 , the series ∑ an converges(absolutely);
n =1

∞
(ii) If l>1 , the series ∑ an diverges
n =1

(iii) If l=1 , the test is inconclusive(the series may converge or diverge)

{(
∞ 0 , nis even
Example: let ∑ an be series with a n=
n =1 )
n n ,n is odd
2 n+1

Is this series convergent?

Example: determine the convergence and divergence of the following series.

∑ ( 2 n+ 5)
∞ n
n
(i)
n =1

17 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

∑( )
∞ n
2n
(ii)
n =1 2 n+ 1
∞ 2n
(lnn)
(iii) ∑ nn
n =1

(| | )
∞
an +1
Theorem: (raabe’s test): Given the series ∑ an , suppose that l=lim n −1 exist.
n =1 n→∞ an

∞
(i) If l>1 , the series ∑ an converges(absolutely);
n =1

∞
(ii) If l<1 , the series ∑ an diverges
n =1

(iii) If l=1 , the test is inconclusive(the series may converge or diverge)

∞
1.3 … … … .(2n−1)
Example: consider the series ∑ an , where a n= , n≥ 1 the ratio test does
n =1 2.4 … … … … … … … (2 n)

not apply, since lim

n→∞ | |
an +1
an
=lim
2 n+1
n →∞ 2 n+2
=1 , but using Raabe’s test we have

lim n
n→∞ (| | )
an+1
an
−1 =lim n
n→∞ 2(
2 n+2
n+1
−1 =lim
n→∞
)2
n
n+1
1
= <1.
2

∞
And therefore the series ∑ an diverges.
n =1

Theorem: (alternating series test)

∞
If a 1 ≥ a2 ≥ …≥ 0 i . e i. e an+1 ≤ an , anis decreasing and nlim a n=0 then the series ∑ (−1)n an
→∞
n =1

converges.

Example: check the convergence of the series.

∞ n
(−1) n
(i) ∑ n−1
n =1

18 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

∞
(−1 )n +1
(ii) ∑ ( 2 n−1 ) !
n =1

( πn ).
∞
Example: discuss the convergence of the series∑ (−1) cos ⁡
n

n =1

The series does not converge because the terms do not tend to zero. The same is true of the series
∞

∑ (−1 )n ( 3+ sin ( n ) ) .
n =1

∞
1
Theorem: discuss the convergence of the series ∑ (−1 )
n
( 1−cos ( n ) ) .
n =2 ln ( n )

The terms are alternating, and tending to zero, but not decreasing in absolute value. Hence the
alternating series test does not apply. With the tools available to you in this course, you can
decide whether this series converges or not. In fact, it does converge.

∞ n
(−1)
Example: the alternating harmonic series ∑ n
satisfies the hypothesis of AST and it is
n =1

| |
∞
(−1) n ∞ 1
therefore convergent. Since ∑ n
=∑ diverges, the alternating series is not absolutely
n =1 n=1 n

convergent (it is conditionally convergent).

A series which converges, but does not converge absolutely is called conditionally convergent.
So, every series falls into exactly one of the following categories

(i) Absolutely convergent.

(ii) Conditionally convergent.
(iii) Divergent.

Definition: if ∑|an| converges we say that ∑ an converges absolutely and divergent if the
series of absolute value diverges. Moreover, if ∑ an converges but∑ |an| diverges we say that

∑ an converges conditionally.
∞ ∞
Theorem: if ∑ |an| converges, then ∑ an converges.
n=0 n=0

19 | P a g e
 Chapter one Sequences and Series

∞
sin n
Example: Does ∑ 2 converge?
n =2 n

∞
|sin n|
Yes,The series ∑ converges, so the given series conveges absoluetly.
n =2 n2

∞
sin ⁡(4 n)
Example: discuss the convergence of the series ∑ n
.
n =1 4

| |( ) ( )
n
sin ⁡( 4 n) 1 1
n
The comparison test does work since n
≤ and is a convergent geometric series.
4 4 4

Example: Determine whether each series converges absolutely, converges conditionally, or

diverges.

∞
(i) ∑ cosnπ
√n
n =1

( )
∞ n
n+2
(ii) ∑ (−1)n+1 3 n−1
n =1

20 | P a g e