Chapter 9: Problem 28
Classify each series as absolutely convergent, conditionally convergent, or divergent. $$ \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{k+1} \frac{3^{2 k-1}}{k^{2}+1} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series is conditionally convergent.
Step by step solution
01
Determine Absolute Convergence
To check for absolute convergence, we consider the series without the alternating sign: \[ \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{3^{2k-1}}{k^2+1} \]To check convergence, use the Comparison Test or the Ratio Test.
02
Apply Comparison Test
Compare \( \frac{3^{2k-1}}{k^2+1} \) with \( \frac{3^{2k}}{k^2} \). Since \( 3^{2k-1} = \frac{3^{2k}}{3} \), we have:\[ \frac{3^{2k-1}}{k^2+1} < \frac{3^{2k}}{k^2} \]The series \( \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{3^{2k}}{k^2} \) diverges because \( 3^{2k} \) grows exponentially.
03
Examine Conditional Convergence Using Alternating Series Test
Consider the original alternating series: \[ \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{k+1} \frac{3^{2k-1}}{k^2+1} \]The Alternating Series Test states that a series \( \sum (-1)^k a_k \) converges if \( a_k > 0 \), \( a_k \to 0 \), and \( a_{k+1} \leq a_k \). Here, \( a_k = \frac{3^{2k-1}}{k^2+1} \). Check if \( a_k \to 0 \) and \( a_{k+1} \leq a_k \).
04
Check Alternating Series Test Conditions
As \( k \to \infty \), \( \frac{3^{2k-1}}{k^2+1} \to 0 \). Next, check if \( \frac{3^{2k+1}}{(k+1)^2+1} \leq \frac{3^{2k-1}}{k^2+1} \). Since \( 3^{2k} \) grows faster than polynomial terms in the denominator, \( \frac{3^{2k+1}}{(k+1)^2+1} \leq \frac{3^{2k-1}}{k^2+1} \) holds for large \( k \). Thus, the alternating 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 useful tool when determining whether a series converges or diverges. The idea is simple: you compare the series you are interested in to another series that you already know the convergence behavior of.
- If the series you are testing is smaller term-by-term than a known convergent series, then your series converges.
- If your series is larger term-by-term than a divergent series, then your series diverges.
Ratio Test
The Ratio Test helps determine the absolute convergence of a series by examining the limit of the ratio of successive terms. The test is conducted as follows:If you have a series \( \sum a_k \),you calculate\(\lim_{k \to \infty} \left|\frac{a_{k+1}}{a_k}\right|.\)
- If this limit is less than 1, the series converges absolutely.
- If the limit is greater than 1, the series diverges.
- If the limit equals 1, the test is inconclusive.
Alternating Series Test
The Alternating Series Test is specifically designed for series where terms alternate in sign. A classic example is series like:\[ \sum(-1)^k a_k \].Here, you apply the test by ensuring two main conditions:
- The absolute value of the terms \( a_k \) decreases monotonically (i.e., \( a_{k+1} \leq a_k \)).
- The terms \( a_k \) should approach zero as \( k \)goes to infinity.
- The terms \( a_k = \frac{3^{2k-1}}{k^2+1} \) approach zero because the numerator grows slower than the denominator as \( k \to \infty \).
- The sequence \( a_k \)decreases since, beyond a certain point, exponential growth in the numerator is counteracted by quadratic growth in the denominator, meeting the monotonicity requirement.