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Definition of Convergence and Divergence in Series
The nth partial sum of the series
an is given by Sn = a1 + a2
+ a3 + ... + an. If the sequence of these partial
sums {Sn} converges to L, then the sum of the series converges
to L. If {Sn} diverges, then the sum of the series diverges.
Operations on Convergent Series
If an
= A, and bn
= B, then the following also converge as indicated:
can = cA
(an
+ bn) = A + B
(an
- bn) = A - B
Alphabetical Listing of Convergence Tests
Absolute Convergence
If the series
|an| converges, then the series
an also converges.
Alternating Series Test
If for all n, an is positive, non-increasing (i.e.
0 < an+1 <= an), and approaching zero, then
the alternating series
(-1)n
an and
(-1)n-1 an
both converge.
If the alternating series converges, then the remainder RN
= S - SN (where S is the exact sum of the infinite series and
SN is the sum of the first N terms of the series) is bounded
by |RN| <= aN+1
Deleting the first N Terms
If N is a positive integer, then the series
both converge or both diverge.
Direct Comparison Test
If 0 <= an <= bn for all n greater
than some positive integer N, then the following rules apply:
If bn
converges, then
an converges.
If an
diverges, then
bn diverges.
Geometric Series Convergence
The geometric series is given by
a rn = a + a r + a r2 + a r3 + ...
If |r| < 1 then the following geometric series converges to a / (1
- r).
If |r| >= 1 then the above geometric series diverges.
Integral Test
If for all n >= 1, f(n) = an, and f is positive,
continuous, and decreasing then
either both converge or both diverge.
If the above series converges, then the remainder RN = S -
SN (where S is the exact sum of the infinite series and SN
is the sum of the first N terms of the series) is bounded by 0< = RN
<= (N..)
f(x) dx.
Limit Comparison Test
If lim (n-->) (an
/ bn) = L,
where an, bn > 0 and L is finite and positive,
then the series
an and
bn either both converge or both diverge.
nth-Term Test for Divergence
If the sequence {an} does not converge to zero, then the series
an diverges.
p-Series Convergence
The p-series is given by
1/np
= 1/1p + 1/2p + 1/3p + ...
where p > 0 by definition.
If p > 1, then the series converges.
If 0 < p <= 1 then the series diverges.
Ratio Test
If for all n, n
0, then the following rules apply:
Let L = lim (n -- > )
| an+1 / an |.
If L < 1, then the series
an converges.
If L > 1, then the series
an diverges.
If L = 1, then the test in inconclusive.
Root Test
Let L = lim (n -- > )
| an |1/n.
If L < 1, then the series
an converges.
If L > 1, then the series
an diverges.
If L = 1, then the test in inconclusive.
Taylor Series Convergence
If f has derivatives of all orders in an interval I centered
at c, then the Taylor series converges as indicated:
(1/n!)
f(n)(c) (x - c)n = f(x)
if and only if lim (n-->)
RN = 0 for all x in I.
The remainder RN = S - SN of the Taylor series (where
S is the exact sum of the infinite series and SN is the sum
of the first N terms of the series) is equal to (1/(n+1)!) f(n+1)(z)
(x - c)n+1, where z is some constant between x and c.
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