Chapter 10: Problem 26
In Exercises \(1-36,\) (a) find the series' radius and interval of convergence. For what values of \(x\) does the series converge (b) absolutely (c) conditionally? $$ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} n !(x-4)^{n} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series converges only at \( x = 4 \) and is not conditionally convergent.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Type of Series
The given series is \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} n!(x-4)^n \), which is a power series centered at \( x = 4 \). We will use the Ratio Test to find the radius of convergence.
02
Apply the Ratio Test
For the Ratio Test, we look at the limit \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \right| \) where \( a_n = n!(x-4)^n \). We have \( a_{n+1} = (n+1)!(x-4)^{n+1} \). The ratio is:\[\left| \frac{(n+1)!(x-4)^{n+1}}{n!(x-4)^n} \right| = |x-4| \cdot (n+1).\]
03
Find the Radius of Convergence
According to the Ratio Test, for convergence, \( \lim_{n \to \infty} |x-4| \cdot (n+1) < 1 \). However, since \( (n+1) \to \infty \), the limit will never be less than 1 for any finite \( x \), meaning the series diverges for all \( x eq 4 \). Therefore, the radius of convergence is zero.
04
Determine the Interval of Convergence
Since the radius of convergence is zero, the interval of convergence is just \( x = 4 \). The series converges only at this single point.
05
Analyze Absolute Convergence
Absolute convergence means the series \( \sum |a_n| \) converges. However, since the interval of convergence consists of only one point \( x = 4 \), it doesn't matter how \( x \) is substituted into \( |x-4| \), as only the point \( x=4 \) is possible. At this point, the series is 0 and it converges.
06
Analyze Conditional Convergence
Conditional convergence would require that the series converges, but not absolutely. Since the series only converges at \( x = 4 \), and there it trivially converges to 0, the concept of conditional convergence does not apply in the classic sense.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Power Series
A power series is a series of the form \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n (x-c)^n \), where \( a_n \) are coefficients and \( c \) is the center of the series. The variable \( x \) can take different values, and depending on those values, the series might converge or diverge. A power series is a convenient way to represent functions, especially useful in calculus and mathematical analysis.
- Each term in the series is a power of \( (x-c) \).
- The series is centered at the point \( x = c \).
- The convergence behavior depends on the values of \( x \).
Ratio Test
The ratio test is a method used to determine the convergence of a power series. It considers the limit of the ratio of absolute values of successive terms. The test uses the expression:\[\lim_{n \to \infty} \left| \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \right|,\]where \( a_n \) are the terms of the series.
- If the limit is less than 1, the series converges absolutely.
- If the limit is greater than 1, the series diverges.
- If the limit equals 1, the test is inconclusive.
Interval of Convergence
The interval of convergence is the set of all \( x \) values for which the series converges. Once we determine the radius of convergence, it helps in identifying this interval.
- If the radius is \( R \), the interval of convergence is generally \((c-R, c+R) \) where \( c \) is the center.
- The ends of the interval need further checking for convergence separately.
Absolute Convergence
Absolute convergence of a series means that \( \sum |a_n| \) converges. This kind of convergence is strong; if a series converges absolutely, it also converges in the regular sense.
- Absolute convergence often indicates stability under rearrangements of terms.
- For many series, testing for absolute convergence involves the ratio test or the comparison test.
Conditional Convergence
Conditional convergence occurs when a series converges, but does not converge absolutely. This is a more delicate type of convergence which can change if series terms are rearranged.
- A conditionally convergent series can exhibit paradoxical results.
- This generally requires the absence of absolute convergence over some interval.