Chapter 10: Problem 43
Which of the series Converge absolutely, which converge, and which diverge? Give reasons for your answers. $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}(\sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n})$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series converges, but not absolutely.
Step by step solution
01
Analyze the Series
The given series is \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n}) \). Notice that it is an alternating series since \((-1)^n\) alternates signs as \(n\) increases.
02
Simplify the Expression
Consider the expression \( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}} - \sqrt{n} \). To simplify, multiply and divide by the conjugate: \[\sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}} - \sqrt{n} = \frac{n+\sqrt{n}-n}{\sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}+\sqrt{n}} = \frac{\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}+\sqrt{n}}.\]
03
Analyze the Simplified Form
The simplified form \( \frac{\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}+\sqrt{n}} \) approaches 0 as \( n \to \infty \) because the denominator \( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}} + \sqrt{n} \to 2\sqrt{n} \), thus making the fraction approach \( \frac{1}{2} \).
04
Check Absolute Convergence
To check for absolute convergence, consider the series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left|(-1)^{n} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n})\right| = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n}) \). Since \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2} \) diverges, the series does not converge absolutely.
05
Apply Alternating Series Test
Use the Alternating Series Test to determine if the series converges: the terms \( b_n = \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}} - \sqrt{n} \) satisfy \( b_n \to 0 \) as \( n \to \infty \), and \( b_{n+1} < b_n \) for sufficiently large \( n \). Thus, the series converges by the Alternating Series Test.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Absolute Convergence
When we talk about absolute convergence, we're looking at whether a series still converges when we take the absolute value of each term. In simpler terms, can the series indeed sum up to a finite limit even if we ignore the signs of its terms?
To determine this, examine the original series' absolute value:
To determine this, examine the original series' absolute value:
- For our series, that means analyzing \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left|(-1)^{n} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n})\right| \).
- When considering the absolute values, this expression simplifies to \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n}) \).
- Since this is similar to \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2} \), which is known to diverge, our series does not converge absolutely.
Series Convergence
Series convergence considers whether the entire series adds up to a finite value. When dealing with alternating series, like our original series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n}) \), we use specific tests designed for series of this nature.
One such method is the Alternating Series Test, which can confirm whether an alternating series converges:
One such method is the Alternating Series Test, which can confirm whether an alternating series converges:
- It requires that \( b_n \to 0 \) as \( n \to \infty \).
- It also requires that the terms decrease in size, so \( b_{n+1} < b_n \) eventually.
Divergence
A series diverges if it does not sum to a finite limit. This occurs when a series grows without bound or oscillates indefinitely without settling.
In our examination, the absolute series we derived, \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n}) \), was similar to a divergent series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2} \).
In our examination, the absolute series we derived, \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n}) \), was similar to a divergent series \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2} \).
- Since each term "increases" or does not diminish suitably fast between terms, the series diverges.
- This insight helps us conclude the importance of analyzing not just position or operation, but the actual numeric consequence of long-term behavior.
Mathematical Analysis
Mathematical analysis provides the tools and frameworks for understanding limiting behaviors and convergence of sequences and series.
Using these techniques, we can examine whether a series like \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n}) \) converges:
Using these techniques, we can examine whether a series like \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n} ( \sqrt{n+\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{n}) \) converges:
- Analysis allowed for proper variable reductions and simplification, turning complex expressions into workable forms.
- By interpreting bounds and limits, we could apply theorems such as the Alternating Series Test accurately.