/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 39 Suppose that \(a_{n}>0\) and ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

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Suppose that \(a_{n}>0\) and \(b_{n}>0\) for \(n \geq N(N \text { an integer). If }\) \(\lim _{n \rightarrow \infty}\left(a_{n} / b_{n}\right)=\infty\) and \(\sum a_{n}\) converges, can anything be said about \(\sum b_{n} ?\) Give reasons for your answer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
\(\sum b_n\) converges; \(b_n\) approaches zero faster than \(a_n\).

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Given Limit

We are given that \( \lim _{n \rightarrow \infty}\left(a_{n} / b_{n}\right)=\infty \). This implies that, for sufficiently large \( n \), the terms \( a_{n} \) are much larger than the terms \( b_{n} \). Specifically, \( a_n \) dominates \( b_n \) in the limit.
02

Analyze the Convergence of \( \sum a_n \)

The series \( \sum a_{n} \) is given to be convergent. This means that the terms \( a_{n} \) approach zero very quickly as \( n \) increases.
03

Connect the Limit and Series Behavior

Given \( \frac{a_n}{b_n} \to \infty \), it implies that \( b_n \) must approach zero even faster than \( a_n \). This is because the ratio \( a_n / b_n \) diverging to infinity means \( b_n \) becomes much smaller compared to \( a_n \) as \( n \rightarrow \infty \).
04

Conclude on \( \sum b_n \)

Since \( b_n \) approaches zero faster than \( a_n \), if \( \sum a_n \) converges, then \( \sum b_n \) must also converge. Otherwise, \( \sum a_n \) would not converge because \( a_n \geq b_n \) for sufficiently large \( n \), contradicting the convergence of \( \sum a_n \).

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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 tool to determine the convergence or divergence of infinite series by comparing them to another series whose behavior is known. If you have two positive series, \( \sum a_n \) and \( \sum b_n \), and the limit \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} = c \) where \( 0 < c < \infty \), then both series either converge or diverge together.
This test is particularly useful when the series involve complicated expressions, as it helps simplify the process by comparing it to a series you already know about.
In the exercise, knowing that \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(\frac{a_n}{b_n}\right) = \infty \) implies that \( b_n \) must approach zero faster compared to \( a_n \). This feature is not a typical scenario directly addressed by the Limit Comparison Test, but it helps us understand the relative sizes of the sequences involved.
Convergent Series
A convergent series is one where the sum of its terms approaches a finite limit as you sum up infinitely many terms. Mathematically, a series \( \sum a_n \) converges if its sequence of partial sums \( S_N = a_1 + a_2 + \cdots + a_N \) approaches a specific number as \( N \to \infty \).
For a series to converge, the terms \( a_n \) must tend to zero as \( n \to \infty \). However, this condition is necessary but not sufficient alone; the terms must decrease rapidly enough. For instance, the terms in the convergent series \( \sum \frac{1}{n^2} \) decrease faster than those in the divergent harmonic series \( \sum \frac{1}{n} \).
In the given problem, since \( \sum a_n \) converges, it implies that the terms \( a_n \) decrease to zero sufficiently fast. This characteristic assists in understanding the behavior of another series \( \sum b_n \) with respect to it.
Divergent Series
A divergent series is one where the partial sum does not approach a finite limit as the number of terms grows. Essentially, the series could grow indefinitely or oscillate without settling on a particular value.
The simplest example is the harmonic series \( \sum \frac{1}{n} \), which diverges because its terms do not decrease rapidly enough to result in a finite sum.
In the exercise's context, \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} = \infty \) suggests, counterintuitively at first glance, that \( \sum b_n \) is not divergent. Instead, since it approaches zero faster than \( a_n \), which forms a convergent series, \( \sum b_n \) is also convergent in this scenario.
Ratio Test
The Ratio Test is a method used to assess the convergence of an infinite series \( \sum a_n \). For the test, consider the limit \( L = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left|\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right| \).
  • If \( L < 1 \), the series converges absolutely.
  • If \( L > 1 \) or is infinite, the series diverges.
  • If \( L = 1 \), the test is inconclusive.
The Ratio Test is particularly useful for series involving factorials or exponential terms because these factors can often be simplified significantly in the ratio \( \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \).
Although not directly used in this exercise, understanding the Ratio Test enriches your toolkit for tackling series questions, complementing techniques like the Limit Comparison Test used in this solution.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

a. Series for sinh \(^{-1} x\) Find the first four nonzero terms of the Taylor series for $$ \sinh ^{-1} x=\int_{0}^{x} \frac{d t}{\sqrt{1+t^{2}}} $$ b. Use the first three terms of the series in part (a) to estimate \(\sinh ^{-1} 0.25\) . Give an upper bound for the magnitude of the estimation error.

Find series solutions for the initial value problems in Exercises \(15-32\) . $$ y^{\prime}+y=1, \quad y(0)=2 $$

Logistic difference equation The recursive relation $$ a_{n+1}=r a_{n}\left(1-a_{n}\right) $$ is called the logistic difference equation, and when the initial value \(a_{0}\) is given the equation defines the logistic sequence \(\left\\{a_{n}\right\\} .\) Throughout this exercise we choose \(a_{0}\) in the interval \(03.57\) . Choose \(r=3.65\) and calculate and plot the first 300 terms of \(\left\\{a_{n}\right\\} .\) Observe how the terms wander around in an unpredictable, chaotic fashion. You cannot predict the value of \(a_{n+1}\) from previous values of the sequence. g. For \(r=3.65\) choose two starting values of \(a_{0}\) that are close together, say, \(a_{0}=0.3\) and \(a_{0}=0.301 .\) Calculate and plot the first 300 values of the sequences determined by each starting value. Compare the behaviors observed in your plots. How far out do you go before the corresponding terms of your two sequences appear to depart from each other? Repeat the exploration for \(r=3.75 .\) Can you see how the plots look different depending on your choice of \(a_{0} ?\) We say that the logistic sequence is sensitive to the initial condition a_{0} .

According to a front-page article in the December \(15,1992,\) issue of the Wall Street Journal, Ford Motor Company used about 7\(\frac{1}{4}\) hours of labor to produce stampings for the average vehicle, down from an estimated 15 hours in \(1980 .\) The Japanese needed only about 3\(\frac{1}{2}\) hours. Ford's improvement since 1980 represents an average decrease of 6\(\%\) per year. If that rate continues, then \(n\) years from 1992 Ford will use about $$ S_{n}=7.25(0.94)^{n} $$ hours of labor to produce stampings for the average vehicle. Assuming that the Japanese continue to spend 3\(\frac{1}{2}\) hours per vehicle, how many more years will it take Ford to catch up? Find out two ways: a. Find the first term of the sequence \(\left\\{S_{n}\right\\}\) that is less than or equal to \(3.5 .\) b. Graph \(f(x)=7.25(0.94)^{x}\) and use Trace to find where the graph crosses the line \(y=3.5 .\)

Compound interest, deposits, and withdrawals If you invest an amount of money \(A_{0}\) at a fixed annual interest rate \(r\) compounded \(m\) times per year, and if the constant amount \(b\) is added to the account at the end of each compounding period (or taken from the account if \(b<0 ),\) then the amount you have after \(n+1\) compounding periods is $$ A_{n+1}=\left(1+\frac{r}{m}\right) A_{n}+b $$ a. If \(A_{0}=1000, r=0.02015, m=12,\) and \(b=50\) , calculate and plot the first 100 points \(\left(n, A_{n}\right) .\) How much money is in your account at the end of 5 years? Does \(\left\\{A_{n}\right\\}\) converge? Is \(\left\\{A_{n}\right\\}\) bounded? b. Repeat part (a) with \(A_{0}=5000, r=0.0589, m=12,\) and \(b=-50 .\) c. If you invest 5000 dollars in a certificate of deposit (CD) that pays 4.5\(\%\) annually, compounded quarterly, and you make no further investments in the CD, approximately how many years will it take before you have \(20,000\) dollars? What if the CD earns 6.25\(\% ?\) d. It can be shown that for any \(k \geq 0\) , the sequence defined recursively by Equation \((1)\) satisfies the relation $$ A_{k}=\left(1+\frac{r}{m}\right)^{k}\left(A_{0}+\frac{m b}{r}\right)-\frac{m b}{r} $$ For the values of the constants \(A_{0}, r, m,\) and \(b\) given in part (a), validate this assertion by comparing the values of the first 50 terms of both sequences. Then show by direct substitution that the terms in Equation \((2)\) satisfy the recursion formula in Equation ( 1\()\) .

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