Chapter 10: Problem 18
Establish convergence or divergence by a comparison test. $$ \sum \sin ^{2}\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series \( \sum \sin ^{2}\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \) converges by the comparison test with \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Series and Its Behavior
The given series is \( \sum \sin^{2}\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \). First, observe that as \( n \to \infty \), \( \frac{1}{n} \to 0 \). For small angles \( x \) in radians, \( \sin x \approx x \). Hence, \( \sin\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \approx \frac{1}{n} \). Therefore, \( \sin^{2}\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \approx \left(\frac{1}{n}\right)^{2} \).
02
Choose a Suitable Comparison Series
Based on the behavior of the terms, compare with the series \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \). This is a well-known convergent series, known as the p-series with \( p = 2 \) which converges.
03
Apply the Limit Comparison Test
To apply the limit comparison test, evaluate the limit: \[ \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{\sin^2\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}{\frac{1}{n^2}} = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)^2}{\frac{1}{n^2}} = 1. \]Since the limit is finite and non-zero, by the limit comparison test, both series \( \sum \sin^{2}\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \) and \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \) either both converge or both diverge. Since \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \) converges, so does \( \sum \sin^{2}\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \).
04
Conclude Convergence of the Series
Based on the comparison test, since \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \) is a convergent series and our original series \( \sum \sin^{2}\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \) is compared to it, the original series converges.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Comparison Test
The Comparison Test is a powerful tool in determining whether a series converges or diverges. With this test, you can compare your given series to another series that has a known convergence pattern. Here's how it works:
If you can find a simpler series with comparable behavior near infinity, you can use it for comparison. This was done in our case with the series involving sine, which was compared to a p-series.
- If every term of the series you're investigating is smaller than the corresponding term of a known convergent series, then your series also converges.
- Conversely, if every term of your series is larger than a corresponding term of a known divergent series, then your series also diverges.
If you can find a simpler series with comparable behavior near infinity, you can use it for comparison. This was done in our case with the series involving sine, which was compared to a p-series.
Limit Comparison Test
The Limit Comparison Test is another method used to establish the convergence or divergence of a series. It comes in handy when the Comparison Test is not easy to apply due to inequalities required.
This test requires you to find another series with a well-known convergence status, and then consider the limit of the ratio of the terms of the two series. Specifically, if you define two positive series \( \sum a_n \) and \( \sum b_n \), the process involves:
In our exercise, this test was used effectively to compare the series \( \sum \sin^2\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \) with \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \). The calculated limit was 1, a positive and finite number, supporting the conclusion that both series share the same behavior.
This test requires you to find another series with a well-known convergence status, and then consider the limit of the ratio of the terms of the two series. Specifically, if you define two positive series \( \sum a_n \) and \( \sum b_n \), the process involves:
- Calculating the limit \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} \).
- If the limit is a positive, finite number, both series either converge or diverge together.
In our exercise, this test was used effectively to compare the series \( \sum \sin^2\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \) with \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \). The calculated limit was 1, a positive and finite number, supporting the conclusion that both series share the same behavior.
Convergent Series
A series is said to converge if the sum of its infinite terms approaches a finite limit. Understanding and identifying convergent series are fundamental in mathematical analysis. Such series don't "blow up" to infinity but settle around a specific value.
For convergence, each series has to pass specific tests, like the Comparison Test or the Limit Comparison Test. Once a series is proven to converge, it means that adding up its terms results in a sum that gets closer and closer to a certain number, beyond which it won't go.
In the discussed exercise, the series \( \sum \sin^2\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \) was determined to be convergent by correctly applying these techniques and comparing it to the known convergent p-series \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \).
For convergence, each series has to pass specific tests, like the Comparison Test or the Limit Comparison Test. Once a series is proven to converge, it means that adding up its terms results in a sum that gets closer and closer to a certain number, beyond which it won't go.
In the discussed exercise, the series \( \sum \sin^2\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) \) was determined to be convergent by correctly applying these techniques and comparing it to the known convergent p-series \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \).
p-series
The p-series is an important class of series used frequently in convergence tests. It takes the form \( \sum \frac{1}{n^p} \), where \( n \) starts from 1 and goes to infinity. The convergence of these series depends critically on the value of \( p \):
This pattern is essential for mathematicians when comparing or estimating larger, more complex series.
In the exercise under discussion, the series \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \) is a classic convergent p-series since \( p = 2 \) which is greater than 1. Recognizing this fact made it a perfect candidate for comparison with the original sine series to determine its convergence.
- For \( p > 1 \), the p-series converges.
- For \( p \leq 1 \), the p-series diverges.
This pattern is essential for mathematicians when comparing or estimating larger, more complex series.
In the exercise under discussion, the series \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \) is a classic convergent p-series since \( p = 2 \) which is greater than 1. Recognizing this fact made it a perfect candidate for comparison with the original sine series to determine its convergence.