INFINITE SERIES

Sequence:
If a set of real numbers occur according to some definite rule, then it is called
a sequence denoted by * + * + if n is finite
Or * + * + if n is infinite.
Series:
is called a series and is denoted by ∑
Infinite Series:
If the number of terms in the series is infinitely large, then it is called infinite series and is
denoted by ∑ and the sum of its first n terms be denoted
by ∑ .
Convergence:
An infinite series ∑ is said to be convergent if , a definite unique number.

Example:

. /
, finite.
. /

Therefore given series is convergent.

Divergence:
tends to either then the infinite series ∑ is said to be divergent.
Example: ∑
( )

Therefore ∑ is divergent.
Oscillatory Series:
If tends to more than one limit either finite or infinite, then the infinite series ∑
is said to be oscillatory series.
Example:1. ∑ :

Therefore series is oscillatory.

2. ∑ ( ) ( )
( )

Properties of infinite series:

1. The convergence or divergence of an infinite series remains unaltered on
multiplication of each term by .
2. The convergence or divergence of an infinite series remains unaltered by addition or
removal of a finite number of its terms.
Positive term series:
An infinite series in which all the terms after some particular term are positive is called a
positive term series.
Geometric Series test:
The series ∑
a. Converges if | |
b. Diverges if
c. Oscillates finitely if and oscillates infinitely if
Proof:
Let be the partial sum of ∑ .

Case 1: | | i.e.

Therefore the series is convergent.

Case 2i: i.e.

Therefore the series is divergent.

Case 2ii: ,
. Therefore the series is divergent.
Case 3i: i.e.
( )

Therefore the series is oscillatory.

Case 3ii:
i.e.

Therefore the series is oscillatory.

Note: If a series in which all the terms are positive is convergent, the series remains
convergent even when some or all of its terms are negative.
Integral Test:
A positive term series ( ) ( ) ( ) Where ( ) decreases as n
increases, converges or diverges according as the integral ∫ ( ) is finite or infinite.

p-series or Harmonic series test:

A positive term series ∑ ∑ is

i) Convergent if
ii) Divergent if
Proof:

Let ( )

∫ ( ) ∫ [ ]

When ,∫ ( ) ∫ , -

Thus ∑ converges if and diverges if .

Theorem:
Let ∑ be a positive term series. If ∑ is convergent then .
Proof:
If ∑ is convergent then .
( ) ( )

Note:
Converse need not be always true. i.e. Even if , then ∑ need not be
convergent.

Example 1: ∑ .

∑ is divergent by integral test. But

Hence is a necessary condition but not a sufficient condition for convergence

of ∑ .
Example 2

Test the series for convergence, ∑

Solution: Consider ∫ , ( )-

Therefore ∑ is divergent by Integral test.

Example 2

Test the series for convergence, ∑

Solution: Let . Then

∫ ∫ [ ]

Therefore ∑ is convergent.
Comparison test:
1. Let ∑ and ∑ be two positive term series. If
a. ∑ is convergent
b.
Then ∑ is also convergent.
That is if a larger series converges then smaller also converge.
2. Let ∑ and ∑ be two positive term series. If
c. ∑ is divergent
d.
Then ∑ is also divergent.
That is if a smaller series diverges then larger also diverges.
Example 2

Test the series for convergence, ∑

Solution:

Let and

log n  n
1 1

log n n
u n  vn

But ∑ ∑ is a p-series with .

Therefore ∑ is divergent.
By comparison test ∑ is also divergent.
Example 2

Test the series for convergence, ∑

Solution:

Let and

2n  2n  1
1 1
 n
2 n
2 1
vn  u n

But ∑ ∑ is a geometric series with .

Therefore ∑ is convergent.
By comparision test ∑ is also convergent.

Another form of comparison test is

Limit test
Statement: If ∑ and ∑ be two positive term series such that ( ).
Then ∑ and ∑ behave alike.
That is if ∑ converges then ∑ also converge.
If ∑ diverges then ∑ also diverge.
Examples 3.

Test the series for convergence,

( )( )

Choose then

But ∑ ∑ with .

Therefore ∑ is convergent. By limit test ∑ is also convergent.

Examples 4.

Test the series for convergence, ∑ (√ )

(√ )
Solution: (√ )
(√ )

(√ )

Let ∑ ∑ ( )

But ∑ is divergent. By limit test ∑ is also divergent.

Examples 5.

Test the series for convergence, ∑√

Solution:
u n   n 3  1 3  n
1

a 3  b3  (a  b)(a 2  ab  b 2 )
a 3  b3
ab 
a 2  ab  b 2
n3  1  n3
u n   n 3  1 3  n 
1

n  1 3  (n 3  1) 3 n  n 2
2 1
3

1

 1 3  1 3 
1 2

n 1  3   1  3   1
2

 n   n  

Let ∑ ∑ with .

But ∑ is convergent. By limit test ∑ is also convergent.

Example 6.
√ √ √
Test the series for convergence, Solve

Solution:

 1 1 
n  1  
n  1 1  n n
un  
 n  2   1 n 3   1  2 3  1 
3

   3 

 n  n 

Let ∑ ∑ ⁄
with .

But ∑ is convergent. By limit test ∑ is also convergent.

Example 7

Test the series for convergence, ∑

Solution:

We know that

Let ∑ ∑ . Then
But ∑ is convergent. By limit test ∑ is also convergent.

Example 8

Test the series for convergence, ∑ . /

Solution: . /

[ ]

[ ]

Let ∑ ∑ . Then

But ∑ is convergent. By limit test ∑ is also convergent.

Exercises
Test for convergence of the series

1. ∑

2. …… …

3. …….. …

4. ∑ √

5. ∑ ( )

6. …… …
INFINITE SERIES

D’Alembert’s Ratio Test: If ∑ is a series of positive terms, and u n 1

lim
n  un
( )
then the series is convergent if , is divergent if and the test fails if .

If the test fails, one should apply comparison test or the Raabe’s test, as given below:

Raabe’s Test: If ∑ is a series of positive terms, and

. / ( ) then the series is convergent if , is divergent if

and the test fails if .

Remark: Ratio test can be applied when (i) does not have the form ⁄

(ii) nth term has etc.

(iii) nth term has ( ) ( ) ect.

(iv) the number of factors in numerator and denominator increase steadily, ex: (

Example : Test for convergence the series

22 32 42
1+ + + + ….
2! 3! 4!

12 22 32 3 n2
>> The given series is of the form + + + + … whose nth term is un = .
1! 2! 3! 4! n!
(n  1) 2
Therefore un+1 =
n  1!

u n 1 (n  1) 2 n! (n  1) 2 n! n 1
= = . = 2
un n  1! n 2
n 2
(n  1)(n!) n
u n 1  n  1 1 1 
Therefore lim = lim  2  = lim   2  = 0 < 1
n  un n  
 n  n  
n n 

Therefore by ratio test,  un is convergent.

Example : Discuss the nature of the series

x x2 x3
+ + + ….
1 .2 2 .3 3 .4

xn
>> un =
n(n  1)

x n 1 x n 1
Therefore un+1 = =
(n  1)(n  1  1) (n  1)(n  2)

u n 1 x n 1 n(n  1) n
Now = . = x
un (n  1)(n  2) x n
n2

u n 1 n 1
Therefore lim = lim x = lim x=x
n  un n  n  2 n   (1  2 / n)

convergent if x  1
Therefore by D’Alembert’s ratio test  un is 
divergent if x  1

And the test fails if x = 1

1n 1 1
But when x = 1, un = = = 2
n(n  1) n(n  1) n  n

un is of order 1/n2 (p = 2 > 1) and hence  un is convergent (when x = 1). Hence we

conclude that  un is convergent x  1 and divergent if x > 1

x x2 x3
Example : Find the nature of series 1 + + + + ….
2 5 10

>> Omitting the first term, the given series can be written in the form
x1 x2 x3 xn
+ + + … so that u n =
12  1 2 2  1 3 2  1 n2  1

x n 1 n2  1 n 2 (1  1 / n 2 )
Therefore un+1 = . x = lim .x
n 2  2n  2 n 2  2n  2 n   n 2 (1  2 / n  2 / n 2 )

u n 1
That is, lim =x
n  un

convergent if x  1
Hence by ratio test  un is 
divergent if x  1

and the test fails if x = 1.

1n 1 1
But when x = 1, un = 2 = 2 is of order 2 (p = 2 > 1)
n 1 n 1 n

Therefore  un is convergent if x  1 and divergent if x > 1.

1 x2 x4
Example: Find the nature of the series + + +…
2 1 3 2 4 3

x 2n
>> omitting the first term, the general term of the series is given by un =
(n  2) n  1

x 2 (n  1) x 2n 2
Therefore un+1 = =
(n  1  2) (n  1)  1 (n  3) n  2

u n 1 x 2n 2 (n  2) n  1
=
un (n  3) n  2 x 2n

n2 n 1 2 (n  2)(n  1)
= x = x2
n3 n2 (n  3)

u n 1 n(1  2 / n)n(1  1 / n)
lim = lim . x 2 = x2
n  un n  n(1  3 / n)
convergent if x 2  1
Hence by ratio test  un is 
divergent if x 2  1

and the fails if x2 = 1.

(1) n 1
When x2 = 1, un = =
(n  2) n  1 (n  2) n  1

un is of order 1/n3/2 (p = 3/2 > 1) and hence  un is convergent.

Therefore  un is convergent if x2  1 and divergent if x2 > 1.

Example : Discus the convergence of the series

x3 3 x5 3.5 x7
x+ + + + . + … (x > 0)
2 .3 2 .4 5 2.4.6 7

>> We shall write the given series in the form

1 x3 1 .3 x 5 1.3.5 x 7
x + . + . + . + ….
2 3 2 .4 5 2.4.6 7

Now, omitting the first term we have

1.3.5...(2n  1) x 2 n 1
un = .
2.4.6...2n 2n  1

1.3.5...[2(n  1)  1] x 2( n 1) 1
un+1 = .
2.4.6...2(n  1) 2(n  1)  1

1.3.5...(2n  1) x 2n3
That is, un+1 = .
2.4.6....(2n  1) 2n  3

1.3.5...(2n  1)(2n  1) x 2 n  3
That is, un+1 = .
2.4.6....(2n)(2n  2) 2n  3

u n 1 1.3.5...(2n  1)(2n  1) x 2 n  3 2.4.6...2n 2n  1

Therefore = .  . 2 n 1
un 2.4.6....(2n)(2n  2) 2n  3 1.3.5...(2n  1) x

u n 1 (2n  1)(2n  1) x 2
That is, =
un (2n  2)(2n  3)
u n 1 n ( 2  1 / n) n( 2  1 / n ) x 2
Therefore lim = lim = x2
n  un n  n ( 2  2 / n) n( 2  3 / n)

convergent if x 2  1
Hence by ratio test,  un is 
divergent if x 2  1

And the test fails if x2 = 1

u n 1 (2n  1)(2n  1)
When x2 = 1, = and we shall apply Raabe’s test.
un (2n  2)(2n  3)

 u   (2n  2)(2n  3) 
lim n  n  1 = lim n   1
n 
 u n 1  n   (2n  1) 2 

 (4n 2  10n  6)  (4n 2  4n  1) 

= lim n  
n 
 (2n  1) 2 

 6n  5  n 2 (6  5 / n) 6 3
= lim n   = lim 2 = >1
n   n ( 2  1 / n) 2
 (2n  1)
n  2
 4 2

Therefore  un is convergent (when x2 = 1) by Rabbe’s test.

Hence we conclude that,  un is convergent if x2  1 and divergent if x2 > 1.

Example : Examine the convergence of

2 6 2 14 3 2 n 1  2 n
1+ x+ x + x + … + n 1 x + ….
5 9 17 2 1

2 n 1  2 n
>> un = x.
2 n 1  1

2 n  2  2 n+1
Therefore un+1 = x
2 n2  1

u n 1 2 n  2  2 n+1 2 n 1  1 1
= n2 x  n 1 .
un 2 1 2  2 xn

u n 1 2 n  2 (1  2 / 2 n  2 ) 2 n 1 (1  1 / 2 n 1 )
= n2 .x. n 1
un 2 (1  1 / 2 n  2 ) 2 (1  2 / 2 n 1 )
(1  1 / 2 n 1 ) (1  1 / 2 n 1 )
= .x .
(1  1 / 2 n  2 ) (1  1 / 2 n )

u n 1 (1  0) (1  0)
Therefore lim = .x. = x.
n  un (1  0) (1  0)

convergent if x  1
Therefore by ratio test  un is  and the test fails if x = 1.
divergent if x  1

2 n 1  2
When x = 1, un =
2 n 1  1

2 n 1 (1  1 / 2 n )
Therefore lim un = lim =1
n  n  2 n 1 (1  1 / 2 n 1 )

Since lim un = 1  0,  un is divergent (when x = 1)

n 

Hence  un is convergent if x < 1 and divergent if x 1.

Example : test for convergence of the infinite series

2! 3! 4!
1+ 2
+ 3 + 4 +…
2 3 4

>> the first term of the given series can be written as 1!/11 so that we have,

n! (n  1)! (n  1)(n!) n!
un = and u n+1 = 
= 
=
nn (n  1) n 1
(n  1) n 1
(n  1) n

u n 1 n! nn nn nn
Therefore = . = =
un (n  1) n n! (n  1) n n n (1  1 / n) n

u n 1 1 1
lim = lim = <1
n  un n   (1  1 / n) n
e

Hence by ratio test  un is convergent.

Cauchy’s Root Test: If ∑ is a series of positive terms, and

⁄
( ) ( ),

then, the series converges if , diverges if and fails if

( )
Remark: Root test is useful when the terms of the series are of the form , ( )- .

⁄
We can note : (i)

⁄ ) ⁄
(ii) (

⁄
(iii) ) ( ⁄ )

 n3/ 2
 1  
Example : Test for convergence  1  
n 1  n

 n3/ 2
 1 
>> un = 1  
 n

1/ n
 n 
3/ 2

 1  
Therefore (un) = 1 
1/n
 
 n 

 n1/ 2  n
 1   1 
= 1   = 1  
 n  n

 n
 1 
lim (un) 1/n
= lim 1  
n  n 
 n

1 1
= lim = < 1.
n  n
e
 1 
1  
 n

Therefore as n  , n also  

Therefore by Cauchy’s root test, un is convergent.

 n2
 3
Example : Test for convergence  1  
n 1  n

n2
 3
>> un = 1  
 n

1/ n
 3 
2
n n
 3
Therefore (un) 1/n
= 1    = 1  
 n    n

 3
n

lim (un)1/n
= lim 1  -3
 =e .
n  n 
 4 

n
 x
Therefore lim 1   = ex
n 
 n

1
That is, lim (un)1/n = < 1, therefore e = 2.7
n  e3

Hence by Cauchy’s root test,  un is convergent.

 n3/ 2
 1  
Example : Find the nature of the series  1  
n 1  n

 n3/ 2
 1 
>> un = 1  
 n

1/ n
 n 
3/ 2

 1  
Therefore (un) = 1 
1/n
 
 n 

 n1/ 2  n
 1   1 
= 1   = 1  
 n  n

 n
 1 
lim (un)1/n
= lim 1  
n  n 
 n
1 1
= lim = < 1, since as n  , n also  
n  n
e
 1 
1  
 n

Therefore by Cauchy’s root rest,  un is convergent.

 n2
 3
Example : Test for convergence  1  
n 1  n

n2
 3
>> un = 1  
 n

1/ n
 3 
2
n n
 3
Therefore (un)1/n = 1    = 1  
 n 
  n

 3
n n
  x
lim (un)1/n = lim 1  1   = e
-3 x
 = e , since lim
n  n 
 n  n  
 n

1
That is, lim (un)1/n = < 1, since e = 2.7.
n  e3

Hence by Cauchy’s root test,  un is convergent.

ALTERNATING SERIES
A series in which the terms are alternatively positive or negative is called an alternating
series.

i.e., u1  u2  u3  u4  ...    1
n 1
un
n 1

LEBINITZ’S SERIES

An alternating series u1  u2  u3  u4  ...    1
n 1
un converges if
n 1

(i) each term is numerically less than its preceding term

(ii) lim un  0
n 

Note: If lim un  0 then the given series is oscillatory.

n 

1 1 1 1
Q Test the convergence of - + - +…
6 13 20 27

1
Solution: Here un =
7n  1

1 1
then un+1 = =
7(n  1)  1 7n  6

1 1
therefore, un – un+1 = -
7n  1 7n  6

(7n  6)  (7n  1) 7
= = >0
(7n  1)(7n  6) (7n  1)(7n  6)

That is, un – un+1 > 0,  un > un+1

1 1 1
Also, lim un = lim = lim =0
n  n  7n  1 n   n (7  1 / n)

Therefore by Leibnitz test the given alternating series is convergent .

Q Find the nature of the series

 1   1   1   1 
1   - 1   + 1   - 1   +…
 log 2   log 3   log 4   log 5 
1 1
Solution: Here un = 1 - then un+1 = 1 -
log( n  1) log( n  2)

1 1
Therefore, un – un+1 = -
log( n  2) log( n  1)

log( n  1)  log( n  2)
= < 0.
log( n  2) log( n  1)

Since (n + 1) < (n + 2)

un - un+1 < 0  un < un+1

 1 
further lim un = lim 1 -   = 1 – 0 = 1  0.
n  n 
 log( n  1) 

Both the conditions of the Leibnitz test are not satisfied. So, we conclude that the series
oscillates between -  and + .

Problems:

Test the convergence of the following series

1 1 1
 i 1     ....
2 3 4
1 1 1 1
 ii      ....
log 2 log 3 log 4 log 5
 1
n 1

n
(iii )
n 1 n 1
 1 x n
n 1

 iv   for 0  x  1
n  2 n  n  1

1
v 
1  n2

ABSOLUTELY & CONDITIONALLY CONVERGENT SERIES

 

 a    1
n 1
An alternating series n un is said to be absolutely convergent if the positive
n 1 n 1

series a1  a2  a3  a4  ...   an is convergent.

 

 a    1
n 1
An alternating series n un is said to be conditionally convergent if
n 1 n 1
(i) a n is divergent
 

 an    1
n 1
(ii) un is convergent
n 1 n 1

Theorem: An absolutely convergent series is convergent. The converse need not be true.

 

 an    1 a
n 1
Proof: Let un be an absolutely convergent series then n is
n 1 n 1

convergent.

We know, a1  a2  a3  a4  ...  a1  a2  a3  a4  ...


By comparison test, a
n 1
n is convergent.

Q. Show that each of the following series also converges absolutely

a n2 an
(i)  an2; (ii)  ; (iii) 
1  a n2 1  an

Solution: (i) Since  an converges, we have an  0 as n  . Hence for some positive

integer N, |an| < 1 for all n  N. This gives an2  |an| for all n  N. As  |an| is convergent it
follows  an2 converges.
(as an2 is a positive termed series, convergence and absolute convergence are identical).
a n2
(ii) As 1 + an2  1 for all n, we get  an2
1 a 2
n

a n2
the convergence of  an2 implies the convergence of  .
1  a n2

an | an | | an |
(iii) = < .
1  an | 1  a n | 1 | a n |

As  |an| converges, |an|  0 as n  . Hence for some positive integer N, we have |an| < ½
for all n  N.
an
This gives < 2|an| for all n  N.
1  an

an
Now, by comparison test,  converges.
1  an
an
That is,  converges absolutely.
1  an

1 1 1 1
Q. Test the convergence 3
 3 1  2   3 1  2  3  3 1  2  3  4   ...
2 3 4 5

Solution: Here an   1

1  2  ...  n   1 n1 n  1 n1 u
    n
n 1

 n  1 2  n  1
3 2

1 n2  n  1
then un  un 1  0
2  n  12  n  2 2

i.e., un1  un & lim un  0

n 

Thus by Lebinitz rule, a n is convergent.

1 n 1
Also, an  . Take vn 
2 n 1
2
n
an 1
Then lim  0
n  vn 2

Since is v n divergent, therefore a n is also divergent.

Thus the given series is conditionally convergent.

POWER SERIES
A series of the form a0  a1 x  a2 x 2  ...  an x n  ...            (i) where the ai ’s are
independent of x, is called a power series in x. Such a series may converge for some or all
values of x.

INTERVAL OF CONVERGENCE
In the power series (i) we have un  an x n

un 1 a 
Therefore, lim  lim  n 1  x
n  u n 
n  an 
a  1
If lim  n 1   l , then by ratio test, the series (i) converges when x  and diverges for
n 
 an  l

other values.
1 1
Thus the power series (i) has an interval  x  within which it converges and diverges
l l
for values of x outside the interval. Such interval is called the interval of convergence of the
power series.
x 2 x3 x 4 x5
Q. Find the interval of convergence of the series x      .... .
2 3 4 5
n 1
xn n x
Solution: Here un   1 and un 1   1
n 1

n n 1
un 1 n
Therefore, lim  lim x x
n  un n  n 1

By Ratio test the given series converges x  1 for and diverges for x  1 .

1 1 1
When x=1 the series reduces to 1     ... , which is an alternating series and is
2 3 4
convergent.
 1 1 1 
When x=-1 the series becomes  1     ...  , which is divergent (by comparison with
 2 3 4 
p-series when p=1)
Hence the interval of convergence is 1  x  1 .

xn
Q. Show that the series  (1)
1
n 1

2n  1
is absolutely convergent for | x | < 1,

conditionally convergent for x = 1 and divergent for x = -1.

n-1 xn
Solution. Here un = (-1)
2n  1
(1) n x n 1
Therefore un+1 =
2n  3

u N 1 (1) n x n 1 2n  1
lim = lim
n  un n 
2n  3 (1) n 1 x n

2n  1
= lim (1) x
n  2n  3

n( 2  1 / n)
= lim (1) x =|x|
n  n( 2  3 / n)

Therefore by generalized D’ Alembert’s test the series is absolutely convergent if

| x | < 1, not convergent if | x | > 1 and the test fails if | x | = 1.
Now for |x | = 1, x can be +1 or – 1.
1 1 1 1
If x = 1 the given series becomes - + - +…
3 5 7 9
1 1
Here un = , un+1 =
2n  1 2n  3
But 2n + 1< 2n + 3  un > un+1
1
Also lim un = lim =0
n  n 
2n  3
Therefore by Leibnitz test the series is convergence when x = 1.
1 1 1 1
But the absolute series + + + … whose general term is un = and is of
3 5 7 2n  1
1 1
order = 1/ 2
and hence  un is divergent
n n
Since the alternating series is convergent and the absolute series is divergent when x = 1, the
series is conditionally convergent when x = 1.
1 1 1
If x = -1, the series becomes - - - ….
3 5 7
 1 1 1 
= -     ... where the series of positive terms is divergent as shown already.
 3 5 7 
Therefore the given series is divergent when x = -1.
Thus we have established all the results.
Problems:

 1  1
n 1 n 1
 
n
1. Test the conditional convergence of (i)  ii  
n 1 n n2 n 1
sin x sin 2 x sin 3x
2. Prove that  3  3  .... is absolutely convergent
13 2 3
3. For what values of x the following series are convergent
x2 x3 x 4
i  x     ....
2 3 4
x 2 x3 x 4
 ii  x  2  2  2  ....
2 3 4
x x2 x3 x 4
 iii      ....
1.2 2.3 3.4 4.5
 iv  3x  34 x 4  39 x9  ....  3n x n  ...
2 2
 1
n 1

4. Test the nature of convergence  n n

******