Chapter 10: Problem 38
In Exercises \(31-38,\) use the \(n\) th-Term Test for divergence to show that the series is divergent, or state that the test is inconclusive. $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \cos n \pi$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \cos(n\pi) \) diverges by the nth-term test.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Test
The nth-term test for divergence states that if \( \lim_{{n \to \infty}} a_n eq 0\), then the series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n \) is divergent. However, if \( \lim_{{n \to \infty}} a_n = 0\), the test is inconclusive.
02
Identify the Sequence
For the given series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \cos(n\pi) \), the sequence is \( a_n = \cos(n\pi) \). Observe that \( \cos(n\pi) \) alternates between 1 and -1 with every increment of \( n \), due to the periodic nature of the cosine function.
03
Evaluate the Limit
Evaluate the limit: \( \lim_{{n \to \infty}} \cos(n\pi) \). Since \( \cos(n\pi) = (-1)^n \), the limit does not settle to a single value; it alternates between 1 and -1 as \( n \) increases.
04
Apply the nth-Term Test
Since \( \lim_{{n \to \infty}} \cos(n\pi) \) does not equal 0, by the nth-term test for divergence, the series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \cos(n\pi) \) diverges.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Sequence
A sequence is a set of numbers arranged in a specific order, following a particular rule. Each number in a sequence is referred to as a term. In the context of the exercise, the sequence is derived from the expression \(a_n = \cos(n\pi)\). Here, each term of the sequence is determined by the cosine of \(n\) multiplied by \(\pi\).
In this specific sequence, there is a special alternation due to the nature of the cosine function:
In this specific sequence, there is a special alternation due to the nature of the cosine function:
- When \(n\) is even, \(\cos(n\pi) = 1\).
- When \(n\) is odd, \(\cos(n\pi) = -1\).
Infinite Series
An infinite series is formed by adding together all the terms of an infinite sequence. Symbolically, it is represented by the summation notation \(\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n\), where \(a_n\) are the terms in a sequence.
In our exercise, the infinite series is \(\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \cos(n\pi)\). This series consists of the sum of an infinite number of terms that alternate between 1 and -1.
In our exercise, the infinite series is \(\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \cos(n\pi)\). This series consists of the sum of an infinite number of terms that alternate between 1 and -1.
- Infinite series can either converge to a specific value or diverge.
- The behavior depends on the properties of the sequence terms \(a_n\).
Limit
A limit is a fundamental concept in calculus that describes the value a sequence or function approaches as the input approaches some value. It is often represented as \( \lim_{{n \to \infty}} a_n \).
In the context of our exercise, we are tasked to find the limit of the sequence term \(\cos(n\pi)\) as \(n\) approaches infinity. Because \(\cos(n\pi)\) represents \((-1)^n\), it toggles between values 1 and -1:
In the context of our exercise, we are tasked to find the limit of the sequence term \(\cos(n\pi)\) as \(n\) approaches infinity. Because \(\cos(n\pi)\) represents \((-1)^n\), it toggles between values 1 and -1:
- If \(n\) approaches infinity, the values continue to oscillate between 1 and -1.
- The limit \( \lim_{{n \to \infty}} \cos(n\pi) \) does not exist in the traditional sense since it does not settle at a single value.
Divergent Series
A divergent series is an infinite series that does not converge to a finite limit. This means that the sum of its terms keeps increasing indefinitely or oscillates without approaching a specific value.
In our problem, the series \(\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \cos(n\pi)\) is a divergent series since the nth-term test for divergence indicates that:
In our problem, the series \(\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \cos(n\pi)\) is a divergent series since the nth-term test for divergence indicates that:
- The limit \( \lim_{{n \to \infty}} \cos(n\pi) eq 0 \).
- The sequence of terms \(\cos(n\pi)\) does not diminish towards zero.