Chapter 9: Problem 82
Determine whether the series converges. $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{n^{2}(n+2)}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series converges by the Limit Comparison Test with \( \sum \frac{1}{n^{3/2}} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Series
We are given the series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{n^{2}(n+2)}} \). To determine convergence, we will apply convergence tests suitable for series with positive terms.
02
Simplify the Terms
Observe that \( \sqrt{n^2(n+2)} = \sqrt{n^3 + 2n^2} \). It is often useful to approximate complex terms. For large \( n \), \( n+2 \approx n \), so \( \frac{1}{\sqrt{n^3 + 2n^2}} \approx \frac{1}{n^{3/2}} \). This resembles a p-series.
03
Apply Comparison Test
A p-series of the form \( \sum \frac{1}{n^p} \) converges if \( p > 1 \). For our series, the corresponding p-series is \( \sum \frac{1}{n^{3/2}} \), with \( p = 3/2 > 1 \). Therefore, the series \( \frac{1}{n^{3/2}} \) converges.
04
Conclude using Limit Comparison Test
To apply the Limit Comparison Test, use the series \( b_n = \frac{1}{n^{3/2}} \). Calculate \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} \), where \( a_n = \frac{1}{\sqrt{n^2(n+2)}} \). This becomes \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{n^3 + 2n^2}} \cdot n^{3/2} = 1 \). Since this limit is positive and finite, the convergence of \( \sum \frac{1}{n^{3/2}} \) implies that \( \sum \frac{1}{\sqrt{n^2(n+2)}} \) also 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 valuable tool in determining the convergence or divergence of series with non-negative terms. The idea is to compare the series in question to another series whose convergence is already known.
Here are the basic steps:
Here are the basic steps:
- If the series \( \sum a_n \) can be compared with the series \( \sum b_n \), such that \( 0 \leq a_n \leq b_n \) for all points in the domain, and \( \sum b_n \) converges, then \( \sum a_n \) also converges.
- If \( \sum a_n \geq \sum b_n \) and \( \sum b_n \) diverges, then \( \sum a_n \) also diverges.
Limit Comparison Test
The Limit Comparison Test is similar to the Comparison Test but with a more sophisticated approach to establishing convergence. It involves calculating the limit of the ratio of two series' terms.
Here's how it works:
Here's how it works:
- Choose a positive series \( \sum b_n \) that behaves similarly to \( \sum a_n \)
- Compute the limit \( L = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} \)
p-series
A p-series is a common mathematical series used as a benchmark for other series. It takes the form \( \sum \frac{1}{n^p} \). The convergence of a p-series is determined by the exponent \( p \).
- If \( p > 1 \), the series converges.
- If \( p \leq 1 \), the series diverges.
Mathematical Series
A mathematical series is the sum of the terms of a sequence. Series are central to calculus and other branches of mathematics for understanding infinite processes.
For instance:
For instance:
- An arithmetic series involves repeated addition of a constant value.
- A geometric series multiplies by a constant factor.