Chapter 9: Problem 12
Indicate whether the given series converges or diverges. If it converges, find its sum. $$ \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{4^{k+1}}{7^{k-1}} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series converges, and its sum is \(\frac{16}{3}\).
Step by step solution
01
Simplify the General Term
The given series is \[\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{4^{k+1}}{7^{k-1}}.\]First, simplify the general term by separating the powers:\[\frac{4^{k+1}}{7^{k-1}} = \frac{4 \times 4^k}{7^{k-1}} = 4 \times \frac{4^k}{7^k} \times 7.\]This simplifies to:\[\frac{4 \times 7}{7} \times \left(\frac{4}{7}\right)^k = 4 \times \left(\frac{4}{7}\right)^k.\]
02
Identify Geometric Series Components
The simplified general term \[4 \cdot \left(\frac{4}{7}\right)^k\]describes a geometric series. Compare it with \[ar^k,\]where the common ratio \(r = \frac{4}{7}\) and the first term \(a = 4 \cdot \frac{4}{7}\).
03
Check the Convergence Criterion for Geometric Series
A geometric series converges if the common ratio \(|r| < 1\). For this series, \(r = \frac{4}{7}\), and since \(\frac{4}{7} < 1\), the series converges.
04
Calculate the Sum of the Convergent Series
The sum \(S\) of a convergent geometric series with first term \(a\) and common ratio \(r\) is given by:\[S = \frac{a}{1 - r}.\]Here, \(a = 4 \cdot \frac{4}{7} = \frac{16}{7}\) and \(r = \frac{4}{7}\), so:\[S = \frac{\frac{16}{7}}{1 - \frac{4}{7}} = \frac{\frac{16}{7}}{\frac{3}{7}} = \frac{16}{3}.\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Geometric Series
A geometric series is a sum of terms that follow a specific pattern, where each term after the first is obtained by multiplying the previous one by a fixed number. This fixed number is called the common ratio. Geometric series are everywhere in mathematics and are valuable for solving problems involving repeated multiplication. They take the general form:
- First term: \( a \)
- Common ratio: \( r \)
Common Ratio
The common ratio in a geometric series is the constant factor between consecutive terms. It is calculated by dividing the second term by the first term. For a series to be classified as geometric, the ratio must remain constant throughout all terms.
For example, in the geometric series identified in the exercise, the common ratio \( r \) is calculated as:
For example, in the geometric series identified in the exercise, the common ratio \( r \) is calculated as:
- \( r = \frac{4}{7} \)
Sum of Series
In a geometric series, if the series converges, it is possible to calculate its sum. For a convergent infinite geometric series with first term \( a \) and common ratio \( r \), the sum \( S \) is calculated using the formula:
In the context of the exercise, once the series was identified as a geometric series, the sum was calculated as:
- \( S = \frac{a}{1 - r} \)
In the context of the exercise, once the series was identified as a geometric series, the sum was calculated as:
- First term, \( a = \frac{16}{7} \)
- Common ratio, \( r = \frac{4}{7} \)
- Sum: \( S = \frac{16}{3} \)
Convergence Criterion
A crucial question when dealing with infinite series is whether they converge or diverge. For geometric series, there is a straightforward "rule of thumb" called the convergence criterion. This criterion considers the absolute value of the common ratio \(|r|\).
In the exercise example, since the common ratio \( \frac{4}{7} \) is less than one, the series converges. This makes it possible to determine the sum of the series using the sum formula for convergent geometric series.
- The series converges if \(|r| < 1\).
- The series diverges if \(|r| \geq 1\).
In the exercise example, since the common ratio \( \frac{4}{7} \) is less than one, the series converges. This makes it possible to determine the sum of the series using the sum formula for convergent geometric series.