Chapter 11: Problem 6
In Exercises \(1-32,\) (a) find the series' radius and interval of convergence. For what values of \(x\) does the series converge (b) absolutely, (c) conditionally? $$ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(2 x)^{n} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Radius: \( \frac{1}{2} \), converges for \(-\frac{1}{2} < x < \frac{1}{2}\). No absolute or conditional convergence at endpoints.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Type of Series
The given series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (2x)^n \) is a geometric series. Geometric series have the form \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} ar^n \). Here, \( a = 1 \) and \( r = 2x \).
02
Determine Radius of Convergence
For a geometric series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} ar^n \), it converges if the absolute value of the common ratio \( |r| < 1 \). Thus, \( |2x| < 1 \). Solving \( |2x| < 1 \), we have \( |x| < \frac{1}{2} \). Therefore, the radius of convergence \( R \) is \( \frac{1}{2} \).
03
Find Interval of Convergence
From \( |x| < \frac{1}{2} \), we derive the interval of convergence as \(-\frac{1}{2} < x < \frac{1}{2} \).
04
Test Endpoints for Absolute Convergence
Substitute \( x = -\frac{1}{2} \) and \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) into the series to see if it converges absolutely. For both endpoints, the geometric series becomes \( \sum (\pm 1)^n \), which diverges. Thus, there's no absolute convergence at the endpoints.
05
Evaluate Conditional Convergence
The series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (2x)^n \) is a geometric series, and geometric series can only converge absolutely. Therefore, there is no conditional convergence in this scenario.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Geometric Series
A geometric series is a fascinating and straightforward type of series with a distinctive trait. It can be represented as \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} ar^n \), where \( a \) is the initial term and \( r \) is the common ratio that multiplies each term by the previous one. The given series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (2x)^n \) is a geometric series where \( a = 1 \) and \( r = 2x \). Geometric series are special because they have specific criteria for convergence: they will converge if the absolute value of the common ratio \( |r| < 1 \). This makes analyzing their convergence relatively simple.
Interval of Convergence
The interval of convergence refers to the set of \( x \) values for which a series converges. For geometric series, we rely on the condition \( |r| < 1 \) for convergence, where \( r \) is the common ratio. In the example series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (2x)^n \), we need \( |2x| < 1 \). Solving this inequality gives us \( |x| < \frac{1}{2} \). Thus, the interval of convergence is \(-\frac{1}{2} < x < \frac{1}{2} \). This is the range where the series smoothly converges without issues, excluding convergence at any endpoints for now.
Radius of Convergence
The radius of convergence \( R \) is a crucial measure in understanding the range over which a series can converge. It forms half of the interval width where the function of the series retains validity. For a geometric series, once we establish \( |r| < 1 \), we can directly determine \( R \). In the example \( (2x)^n \), solving \( |2x| < 1 \) leads to the conclusion that the radius of convergence is \( R = \frac{1}{2} \). This means that within a sphere of radius \( \frac{1}{2} \) centered at zero, the series will converge.
Absolute Convergence
Absolute convergence is a strong form of convergence for series and a reassuring property. A series converges absolutely if the series made by taking the absolute value of each of its terms also converges. For geometric series, such as \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (2x)^n \), the concept simplifies. Since the series converges if \( |2x| < 1 \), testing for absolute convergence usually overlaps with testing for convergence. In this particular series when tested at the endpoints \( x = -\frac{1}{2} \) and \( x = \frac{1}{2} \), both cases result in divergence due to alternating incomplete sums like \( \sum (\pm 1)^n \). Thus, the series does not converge absolutely at the endpoints.
Conditional Convergence
Conditional convergence occurs when a series converges, but it does not converge absolutely. However, this notion doesn't hold for geometric series. These series are special in that their type of convergence is either a full absolute convergence or a divergence. The series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (2x)^n \) doesn't allow for conditional convergence at all. If a geometric series does not converge absolutely—and for the case studied, since neither endpoint allows for absolute convergence, and the interior follows the absolute rule—it simply cannot show conditional convergence.