Chapter 9: Problem 37
Use any method to determine whether the series converges. \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{1+\sqrt{k}}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series diverges by the comparison test.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Type of Series
The given series is \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{1+\sqrt{k}}\). This series involves terms of the form \(\frac{1}{1+\sqrt{k}}\), and as \(k\) increases, this expression can be simplified or compared to a known type, such as a p-series or using the limit comparison test.
02
Use Comparison Test
To use the comparison test, we need to identify a simpler series that is known to converge or diverge and compare it to our series. Consider the series \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{k}}\), which is a p-series with \(p=1/2\) and is known to diverge.
03
Compare Terms of the Series
Notice that \( \frac{1}{1+\sqrt{k}} > \frac{1}{2\sqrt{k}} \) for \( k \geq 1 \). Since \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{k}}\) diverges, by the comparison test \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2\sqrt{k}}\) diverges as well. Thus, \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{1+\sqrt{k}}\) also diverges.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding the Comparison Test
The comparison test is a handy tool in your mathematical toolkit when dealing with the convergence of series. It allows you to determine the behavior of a complex series by comparing it to another series whose convergence properties are already known. Here’s how it works:
- If you have a series \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} a_k\ that you want to analyze, find another series \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} b_k\ that resembles \sum a_k\ and whose behavior is known.
- Ensure all terms are positive for both series in your range of interest (typically \(k \geq n\)).
- If \(a_k \leq b_k\) and \sum b_k\ is known to converge, then \sum a_k\ also converges.
- If \(a_k \geq b_k\) and \sum b_k\ is known to diverge, then \sum a_k\ also diverges.
Delving into p-Series
A \(\textit{p-series}\) is a series of the form \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{k^p}\, where \p\ is a positive constant.
This is a p-series with \(p = \frac{1}{2}\), which clearly falls into the diverging category. Because of the divergent behavior of \sum \frac{1}{\sqrt{k}}\, it was a perfect candidate for comparison to predict the behavior of the original problem's series.
- The behavior of a p-series depends critically on the value of \(p\).
- When \(p \leq 1\), the series diverges. This means it does not settle into a fixed value but keeps growing.
- When \(p > 1\), the series converges, allowing it to sum up to a finite number.
This is a p-series with \(p = \frac{1}{2}\), which clearly falls into the diverging category. Because of the divergent behavior of \sum \frac{1}{\sqrt{k}}\, it was a perfect candidate for comparison to predict the behavior of the original problem's series.
Exploring Divergence
Divergence is when the sum of a series doesn't converge to a finite limit. It might grow indefinitely or oscillate without approaching a stable value.
- In mathematical terms, if \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} a_k\ diverges, the partial sums \S_N = a_1 + a_2 + \cdots + a_N\ do not settle to a specific number as \(N\) approaches infinity.
- Divergence often requires attention because it signifies that the sum of an infinite number of terms doesn't produce a finite result. This leads to realizing whether further attention or correction is needed during application.