Chapter 9: Problem 27
Determine whether or not the series converges, and if so, find its sum. $$ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}(0.3)^{n} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series converges, and its sum is \( \frac{10}{13} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Type of Series
The given series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}(0.3)^{n} \) is an alternating series, because each term includes \((-1)^n\), which causes the terms to alternate in sign.
02
Check for Alternating Series Conditions
For an alternating series \( \sum (-1)^n b_n \), the series converges if \( b_n \) is decreasing and \( \lim_{n \to \infty} b_n = 0 \). Here, \( b_n = (0.3)^n \). Since \( 0 < 0.3 < 1 \), \( b_n \) is decreasing and \( \lim_{n \to \infty} (0.3)^n = 0 \). Thus, the series converges by the Alternating Series Test.
03
Recognize Its Geometric Series Form
We notice the series can also be recognized as a geometric series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}ar^n \) with \(a = 1\) and \(r = -0.3\). This is because the alternating factor \((-1)^n\) and the factor \((0.3)^n\) can be combined to produce the common ratio \(-0.3\).
04
Use Geometric Series Sum Formula
A geometric series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} ar^n \) converges to the sum \( \frac{a}{1-r} \) if \(|r| < 1\). Here \(a = 1\) and \(r = -0.3\), so \(|-0.3| < 1\). Therefore, the sum is \( \frac{1}{1-(-0.3)} = \frac{1}{1+0.3} = \frac{1}{1.3} = \frac{10}{13} \).
05
Conclude Convergence and Find Sum
Since both the Alternating Series Test and the Geometric Series Test indicate convergence, the series converges. The sum of the series is \( \frac{10}{13} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Alternating Series Test
The alternating series test is a handy tool when it comes to identifying whether a series converges. To apply this test, a series should have terms that switch signs between positive and negative. This behavior is captured by the expression
- \((-1)^n b_n\) for each term.
- the series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}(0.3)^{n} \) alternates due to the factor \((-1)^n\), causing each term to flip from positive to negative as \( n \) increases.
- The next step is to check that \( b_n = (0.3)^n \) is decreasing and approaches zero as \( n \) becomes very large.
- \( \lim_{n \to \infty} (0.3)^n = 0 \).
Geometric Series
A geometric series is characterized by each term being a constant multiple, called the common ratio, of the previous term. Typically, a geometric series looks like
- \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} ar^n \), where \( a \) is the first term and \( r \) is the common ratio.
- \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}(0.3)^{n} \), we can see it resembles a geometric series by rewriting the terms using the common ratio \(-0.3\).
- \( a = 1 \) and \( r = -0.3 \).
- The alternation in sign played by \((-1)^n\) combines with \((0.3)^n\) to form this ratio \(-0.3\).
- The crucial property for convergence in a geometric series is that the absolute value of the common ratio is less than 1, i.e., \( |r| < 1 \).
- For our series, \( |-0.3| = 0.3 < 1 \), ensuring its convergence.
Series Sum Formula
Finding the sum of an infinite series might seem tricky at first, but the geometric series sum formula comes to the rescue. If a geometric series
- \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} ar^n \)
- \( \frac{a}{1-r} \).
- where \( a = 1 \) and \( r = -0.3 \), we use the formula to find
- \( \frac{1}{1 - (-0.3)} = \frac{1}{1 + 0.3} = \frac{1}{1.3} = \frac{10}{13} \).
- Therefore, the sum of the series is \( \frac{10}{13} \).