Chapter 9: Problem 4
Determine whether each series converges or diverges. $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^{2}+1}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series converges.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the problem
We need to determine if the series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2+1} \) converges or diverges. Evaluating the convergence of a series involves analyzing its terms and applying a convergence test.
02
Choose a convergence test
One common approach is to use the Comparison Test or the Limit Comparison Test. These involve comparing the series to a known benchmark series to determine convergence or divergence.
03
Select a comparison series
For the series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2+1} \), a good series for comparison is \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2} \). The series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2} \) is known to converge (p-series with \( p = 2 \)).
04
Apply the Comparison Test
Notice that \( \frac{1}{n^2+1} < \frac{1}{n^2} \) for all \( n \geq 1 \) because adding 1 to \( n^2 \) increases the denominator, making the fraction smaller. Since \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2} \) converges, and \( \frac{1}{n^2+1} < \frac{1}{n^2} \), the Comparison Test tells us that \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2+1} \) 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 handy tool in the world of mathematical series for deciding convergence. It works by comparing the series of interest to another series with known behavior.
Here’s how it works:
Here’s how it works:
- You select a series, say \( \sum a_n \), whose convergence is in question.
- Find another series, \( \sum b_n \), with known convergence or divergence behavior.
- If \( a_n \leq b_n \) for all terms \( n \), and if \( \sum b_n \) converges, then \( \sum a_n \) also converges.
- Conversely, if \( a_n \geq b_n \) for all \( n \), and \( \sum b_n \) diverges, then \( \sum a_n \) also diverges.
Limit Comparison Test
The Limit Comparison Test can be seen as a refined cousin of the Comparison Test. It's another strategy to check series convergence but uses limits to do so.
Here's the process:
Here's the process:
- Take the series \( \sum a_n \) that you want to test.
- Choose another series \( \sum b_n \) that's simpler but closely resembles \( \sum a_n \).
- Compute the limit \( L = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} \).
- If \( 0 < L < \infty \), both series \( \sum a_n \) and \( \sum b_n \) either converge or diverge together.
p-series
A p-series is a special type of infinite series in the form \( \sum_{n=1}^{fty} \frac{1}{n^p} \). Knowing about p-series is crucial when analyzing other series.
Here’s the deal with p-series:
Why is this important? Because understanding if an unknown series resembles a p-series helps you conclude its behavior with certainty, aiding in comparison testing strategies.
Here’s the deal with p-series:
- If \( p > 1 \), the series converges.
- If \( p \leq 1 \), the series diverges.
Why is this important? Because understanding if an unknown series resembles a p-series helps you conclude its behavior with certainty, aiding in comparison testing strategies.
Convergent Series
A convergent series is one where the sum of its infinite terms approaches a finite value. This is a core concept in calculus and analysis when dealing with infinite sums.
Understanding series convergence involves several key ideas:
Understanding series convergence involves several key ideas:
- A convergent series abides by the rule \( \lim_{n \to fty} S_n = S \), where \( S_n \) is the nth partial sum, and \( S \) is a fixed number.
- Such a series behaves in a manner where its terms progressively and infinitely approach a ceiling, never surpassing it.
- This concept is vital because many processes in mathematics, like integration and function approximation, hinge on determining convergence.