Chapter 9: Problem 23
Using the Limit Comparison Test In Exercises \(17-26,\) use the Limit Comparison Test to determine the convergence or divergence of the series. $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n \sqrt{n^{2}+1}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The given series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n \sqrt{n^{2}+1}}\) converges.
Step by step solution
01
Choose a Series for Comparison
Choose a series for comparison. Choose the series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^{2}}\) for comparison. This series is known to be convergent.
02
Limit Comparison Test formula
The limit comparison test states that if the limit as n approaches infinity of the ratio of the n-th term of two series is a finite value greater than zero, both series will either converge or diverge. Let's set up the limit formula: \(\displaystyle\lim_{{n} \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} = c,\) where \(a_n) is the n-th term of the original series and \(b_n\) is the term of the comparison series.
03
Evaluate the Limit
Evaluate the limit which is given by \(\displaystyle\lim_{{n} \to \infty} \frac{n^{2}}{n \sqrt{n^{2}+1}}=\displaystyle\lim_{{n} \to \infty} \frac{n^{2}}{n^{2}}=\displaystyle\lim_{{n} \to \infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{1+\frac{1}{n^{2}}}}=1.\)
04
Draw Conclusion
Since the limit is finite and greater than zero, and we know that the series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^{2}}\) converges, then by the Limit Comparison Test, the given series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n \sqrt{n^{2}+1}}\) also converges.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Convergence
When we talk about convergence in the context of a series, we mean that the sum of its terms approaches a specific number as you add more and more terms. A series converges if there is a finite limit to the sum of its terms. This concept is crucial in determining the behavior of infinite series.
- A convergent series will not "blow up" or approach infinity as we add terms.
- The series in the step-by-step solution, \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2}\), is a classic example of a convergent series.
- If a series converges, it means calculating the sum gives us a meaningful and finite result, no matter how many terms we calculate.
Divergence
Divergence is the opposite of convergence. When a series diverges, the sum of its terms does not settle on a finite number as we add more terms. It might grow without bound or oscillate endlessly without settling down.
- Divergent series are tricky because they do not provide a finite sum.
- The famous series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n}\) is an example of a divergent series, known as the harmonic series.
- Determining divergence helps us avoid using series that do not sum to a specific number, guiding us to reason about their behavior.
Infinite Series
An infinite series is simply a sum composed of an endless number of terms. These series are expressed with the summation notation \(\sum\), where the terms follow a pattern based on the sequence \(a_n\).
- Infinite series can converge or diverge, as discussed in earlier sections.
- Not all infinite series behave the same way; some grow, shrink, or oscillate.
- The challenge is determining what happens as we take the limit as \(n\) approaches infinity.
Comparison Test
The Comparison Test is a handy method in mathematics to determine whether a series converges or diverges by comparing it to another series with known behavior. There are two primary versions: the Direct Comparison and the Limit Comparison Test.
- In the Direct Comparison Test, we compare the terms of the series with another known series directly.
- The Limit Comparison Test involves computing the limit of the ratio of the terms of the two series.
- If the limit of the ratio exists and is a positive finite number, both series share the same convergence behavior.