Chapter 9: Problem 29
Does the series converge or diverge? $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n(1+\ln n)}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series diverges.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the type of series
The series given is \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n(1+\ln n)} \). We need to determine if this series converges or diverges. This series resembles a harmonic series with an additional logarithmic factor in the denominator.
02
Use the Integral Test
We can use the Integral Test for convergence since \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x(1+\ln x)} \) is positive, continuous, and decreasing for \( x > 1 \). We evaluate the integral: \[\int_{1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{x(1+\ln x)} \, dx\]
03
Bound the integral
Notice that for \( x > 1 \), \( 1+\ln x > 1 \), thus \( \frac{1}{x(1+\ln x)} < \frac{1}{x} \). Hence, we have:\[\int_{1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{x(1+\ln x)} \, dx < \int_{1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{x} \, dx\]
04
Determine the behavior of comparison integral
The comparison integral \( \int_{1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{x} \, dx \) diverges (it is the harmonic series which diverges). Because the integral of \( \frac{1}{x(1+\ln x)} \) is less than a divergent integral but still improper, it does not guarantee convergence since our original function is not larger than a divergent function.
05
Choose another test (Comparison Test)
Compare the original series with \(\sum \frac{1}{n\ln n} \) for large \( n \) since the log term dominates the behavior as \( n \rightarrow \infty \). As \( \frac{1}{n(1+\ln n)} \) is smaller than \( \frac{1}{n\ln n} \) and \( \sum \frac{1}{n\ln n} \) diverges (known Divergent Comparison Test from the Integral of \( \frac{1}{x \ln x} \)), by the Comparison Test, the original series diverges too.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Integral Test
The Integral Test is a valuable tool for determining the convergence of infinite series. It is applicable to a series when the corresponding function is positive, continuous, and decreasing. The test involves evaluating whether an improper integral converges or diverges.
Here's how it works:
Here's how it works:
- Consider a series \ \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n \ \) and its corresponding function \ \( f(x) \ \), where \ \( a_n = f(n) \ \).
- If the integral \ \( \int_{1}^{\infty} f(x) \, dx \ \) converges, then the series \ \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n \ \) also converges.
- If the integral diverges, then the series does as well.
Comparison Test
The Comparison Test is a straightforward method to determine series convergence by comparing it to a known benchmark. Essentially, if you can relate your series to another series whose behavior you know, you can conclude the behavior of your series.
Here's a summary of how it works:
Here's a summary of how it works:
- Start with two series, \ \( \sum a_n \ \) and \ \sum b_n \, \ \( b_n \ \) being a known series.
- If \ \( 0 \leq a_n \leq b_n \ \) for all \ \( n \ \) and \ \sum b_n \, converges, then \ \sum a_n \, converges.
- If \ \( 0 \leq b_n \leq a_n \ \) for all \ \( n \ \) and \( \ \sum b_n \ \) diverges, then \ \sum a_n \, diverges.
Harmonic Series
The harmonic series is one of the most well-known divergent series in mathematics. It is represented by \( \ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n} \ \).
Here are some critical points about the harmonic series:
Here are some critical points about the harmonic series:
- The partial sums of the harmonic series grow without bound.
- Even though the terms become vanishingly small, their cumulative total grows indefinitely, causing the series to diverge.
- Its divergence is critical when analyzing other series, especially when comparing terms using the Comparison Test.
Logarithmic Function
Logarithmic functions, expressed as \( \ln(x) \), play a crucial role in mathematical analysis, providing insight into growth behavior and transformations of series.
Key aspects of logarithmic functions include:
Key aspects of logarithmic functions include:
- The logarithm grows slowly compared to polynomial and exponential functions, which heavily influences series behavior.
- In our problem, the presence of a logarithmic term in the denominator \( (1+\ln n) \) modifies the harmonic series’ behavior without leading to convergence, illustrating how logarithms control growth rates.
- The logarithmic function affects convergence in more subtle ways, often requiring careful analysis when used with tests like the Integral Test or when performing comparisons.