Chapter 8: Problem 16
Show that the series diverges. \(1-\frac{3}{2}+\frac{9}{4}-\frac{27}{8}+\cdots\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The given series is an alternating series that can be rewritten as \(\sum_{n=0}^\infty (-1)^n \frac{3^n}{2^n}\). However, the sequence \(a_n=\frac{3^n}{2^n}\) is not decreasing and doesn't converge to 0, as \(\lim_{n\to\infty} \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^n\) doesn't converge to 0. Therefore, the series diverges.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Series
The given series is:
\(1-\frac{3}{2}+\frac{9}{4}-\frac{27}{8}+\cdots\)
This is an alternating series, as the terms switch between positive and negative. To apply the Alternating Series Test, we need to rewrite the series in the following form:
\(\sum_{n=1}^\infty (-1)^n a_n\)
where \(a_n\) is a non-negative sequence that is decreasing and converging to 0.
02
Rewrite the Series
The given series can be rewritten as:
\(\sum_{n=0}^\infty (-1)^n \frac{3^n}{2^n}\)
It's easy to see that \(a_n=\frac{3^n}{2^n}\) and it is indeed a non-negative sequence.
03
Check If the Sequence a_n is Decreasing
To check whether the sequence \(a_n\) is decreasing, we can compare consecutive terms:
\(\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} = \frac{3^{n+1} / 2^{n+1}}{3^n / 2^n} = \frac{3}{2}\)
Since the ratio between consecutive terms is greater than 1, the sequence \(a_n\) is not decreasing.
04
Check If the Sequence a_n Converges to 0
To check for convergence, we look at the limit:
\(\lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{3^n}{2^n}\)
To solve this limit, we can rewrite it as:
\(\lim_{n\to\infty} \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^n\)
This limit doesn't converge to 0, as the ratio \(\frac{3}{2}\) is greater than 1.
05
Conclusion
Since the sequence \(a_n\) is neither decreasing nor converging to 0, we conclude that the series diverges.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Divergence
In the realm of mathematical series, understanding whether a series diverges or converges is crucial. A series diverges if the sequence of its partial sums does not settle at a particular value as more terms are added. For the series in question \( 1 - \frac{3}{2} + \frac{9}{4} - \frac{27}{8} + \cdots \), we need to determine its behavior. In this case, the series diverges because the sequence \( a_n = \frac{3^n}{2^n} \) fails to meet necessary conditions for convergence. Specifically, it isn't decreasing, nor does it approach zero.
- Divergence indicates that the series sums increase infinitely without approaching a finite number.
- This can be due to the terms not diminishing or not settling into a pattern that converges.
- The partial sums grow without bound and fail to stabilize around a particular value.
Decreasing Sequence
A decreasing sequence is one where each term is less than or equal to the preceding term. For a sequence \( a_n = \frac{3^n}{2^n} \), we examine the ratio of successive terms to determine if it is decreasing.
Checking this, we find \( \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} = \frac{3}{2} \), indicating that each term increases rather than decreases. A crucial requirement for the Alternating Series Test is having a decreasing sequence. Since our sequence does not decrease, we already stumble on a significant issue.
Checking this, we find \( \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} = \frac{3}{2} \), indicating that each term increases rather than decreases. A crucial requirement for the Alternating Series Test is having a decreasing sequence. Since our sequence does not decrease, we already stumble on a significant issue.
- Decreasing sequences allow terms to lessen in size, contributing to eventual convergence.
- If a sequence grows or remains constant, it poses a significant hurdle for convergence.
- This is why we initially check whether our series is composed of a decreasing sequence.
Series Convergence
Convergence of a series refers to whether its partial sums approach a specific value as we add more terms. For the Alternating Series Test to conclude convergence, the series must meet a set of criteria. These include having a sequence that is decreasing and approaches zero. In our case, because the series \( \sum_{n=0}^\infty (-1)^n \frac{3^n}{2^n} \) fails to meet these requirements, it cannot converge.
- Convergence indicates that a series' sums get closer to a definitive limit despite adding more terms.
- In alternating series, convergence particularly requires a non-increasing sequence with terms trending toward zero.
- Failure for a series to meet the convergence criteria means sums oscillate or grow infinitely, indicating divergence.
Non-Negative Sequence
A non-negative sequence consists entirely of non-negative numbers—either positive or zero. This characteristic is imperative when applying the Alternating Series Test. In the example series characterized by \( a_n = \frac{3^n}{2^n} \), we see that \( a_n \) remains non-negative, as both the numerator and denominator are positive, ensuring non-negative outcomes.
- Non-negative sequences ensure that terms added to a series do not "pull the sum down," typically a condition for tests involving series.
- Keeping sequences non-negative ensures the proper application of convergence tests like the Alternating Series Test.
- While the sequence \( a_n \) in our example is non-negative, it doesn't fulfill other criteria needed for proving convergence.