Chapter 11: Problem 9
\(3-32\) Determine whether the series converges or diverges. $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{\cos ^{2} n}{n^{2}+1}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series converges by the Limit Comparison Test.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the nature of the series
The series in question is \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{\cos ^{2} n}{n^{2}+1} \). This is an infinite series with terms \( a_n = \frac{\cos^2 n}{n^2 + 1} \). The terms of the series are positive since both \( \cos^2 n \) and \( n^2 + 1 \) are non-negative for all \( n \).
02
Compare with a known convergent series
To determine convergence, we will compare \( a_n = \frac{\cos^2 n}{n^2+1} \) with the series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2} \), which is a p-series with \( p=2 \). This series \(
ightarrowrac{1}{n^2} \) converges.
03
Apply the Limit Comparison Test
To apply the Limit Comparison Test, consider:\[L = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{\frac{\cos^2 n}{n^2+1}}{\frac{1}{n^2}} = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{\cos^2 n \cdot n^2}{n^2+1}\]As \( n \to \infty \), \( \cos^2 n \) is bounded, so \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \cos^2 n = K \) (where \( 0 \leq K < 1 \)) and the dominant terms in the numerator and denominator are respectively \( n^2 \). Thus,\[L = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{K \cdot n^2}{n^2+1} = K \]Since \( K \) is a finite positive number, the series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{\cos^2 n}{n^2+1} \) behaves like the convergent series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2} \) in the limit, and thus converges.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Limit Comparison Test
The Limit Comparison Test is a powerful method used to determine if an infinite series converges or diverges. It is particularly useful when a series does not fit the pattern of any basic known series. Here's the basic idea:
- We have a series \( \sum a_n \) that we want to test for convergence.
- We compare it with another series \( \sum b_n \) whose convergence is already known.
- We compute the limit \( L = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} \).
Convergence of Infinite Series
Determining the convergence of infinite series is a fundamental concept in mathematical analysis. Convergence describes whether the sum of an infinite series settles on a finite value. Here's a simple breakdown of how this works:
- For a series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n \) to converge, the sequence of partial sums \( S_N = a_1 + a_2 + ... + a_N \) must tend towards a finite limit as \( N \rightarrow \infty \).
- If the partial sums never settle on a number and instead grow without bound, the series diverges.
P-Series
A p-series is a special type of infinite series labeled \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^p} \), where \( p \) is a positive constant. The convergence of a p-series depends on the value of \( p \):
- If \( p > 1 \), the series converges. For instance, \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2} \) is a convergent series.
- If \( p \leq 1 \), the series diverges. This includes the well-known harmonic series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n} \), which diverges.