/*! 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 7 Write out the first eight terms ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Write out the first eight terms of each series to show how the series starts. Then find the sum of the series or show that it diverges. $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{n}}{4^{n}}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
The series converges to \(\frac{4}{5}\).

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Series

The given series is \(\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{n}}{4^{n}}\). This is an infinite series with each term given by the formula \(a_n = \frac{(-1)^n}{4^n}\).
02

Write the First Eight Terms

To find the first eight terms, substitute \(n = 0, 1, 2, \ldots, 7\) into the formula \(a_n = \frac{(-1)^n}{4^n}\):1. \(n=0\): \(\frac{(-1)^0}{4^0} = 1\)2. \(n=1\): \(\frac{(-1)^1}{4^1} = -\frac{1}{4}\)3. \(n=2\): \(\frac{(-1)^2}{4^2} = \frac{1}{16}\)4. \(n=3\): \(\frac{(-1)^3}{4^3} = -\frac{1}{64}\)5. \(n=4\): \(\frac{(-1)^4}{4^4} = \frac{1}{256}\)6. \(n=5\): \(\frac{(-1)^5}{4^5} = -\frac{1}{1024}\)7. \(n=6\): \(\frac{(-1)^6}{4^6} = \frac{1}{4096}\)8. \(n=7\): \(\frac{(-1)^7}{4^7} = -\frac{1}{16384}\)The first eight terms are: \(1, -\frac{1}{4}, \frac{1}{16}, -\frac{1}{64}, \frac{1}{256}, -\frac{1}{1024}, \frac{1}{4096}, -\frac{1}{16384}\).
03

Identify the Type of Series

The series is a geometric series with the first term \(a = 1\) and common ratio \(r = -\frac{1}{4}\).
04

Determine if the Series Converges

A geometric series converges if the absolute value of the common ratio \(|r|\) is less than 1. Here, \(|r| = \left| -\frac{1}{4} \right| = \frac{1}{4} < 1\), so the series converges.
05

Calculate the Sum of the Series

For a convergent geometric series, the sum \(S\) can be calculated using the formula:\[ S = \frac{a}{1-r} \]Substituting \(a = 1\) and \(r = -\frac{1}{4}\) gives:\[ S = \frac{1}{1 - (-\frac{1}{4})} = \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{4}} = \frac{1}{\frac{5}{4}} = \frac{4}{5} \]
06

Conclusion: Present the Sum

The sum of the series \(\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{n}}{4^{n}}\) is \(\frac{4}{5}\).

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.

Series Convergence
A series is a convergence when its terms approach a specific value as the number of terms increases. For geometric series, we have a simple criterion. If the absolute value of the common ratio \(|r|\) is less than 1, the series converges.
This means the sum will eventually settle at a certain value rather than increasing indefinitely.
In our example series with formula \(a_n = \frac{(-1)^n}{4^n}\), the common ratio \(r\) is \(-\frac{1}{4}\). Since \(|-\frac{1}{4}| = \frac{1}{4} < 1\), we can conclude that this geometric series converges.
  • Convergent series result in finite sums.
  • Understanding convergence helps in predicting long-term behavior of series.
Infinite Series
An infinite series is a sum of an infinite sequence of numbers. Each term in the series comes from a pattern defined by a formula.
The infinite series can be written in the form \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n \), where \(a_n\) represents each term of the series.
In our exercise, the given series is \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{4^n} \). Each term alternates in sign and becomes smaller as \(n\) increases, indicating a geometric nature.
  • Infinite series can be convergent or divergent.
  • For geometric series, identifying the convergence determines if a sum exists.
Sum of Series
The sum of a series is the value approached by this sum as more terms are added. In the case of convergent geometric series, the sum can be calculated using a specific formula.
For a geometric series starting with term \(a\) and common ratio \(r\), the sum \(S\) is given by:
\[ S = \frac{a}{1-r} \] For the provided series \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{4^n} \), we have a first term \(a = 1\) and a ratio \(r = -\frac{1}{4}\).
To find the sum, substitute these values into the formula:\[ S = \frac{1}{1 - (-\frac{1}{4})} = \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{4}} = \frac{1}{\frac{5}{4}} = \frac{4}{5} \]
  • This result shows the sum approaches \(\frac{4}{5}\), indicating the series converges to this value.
  • Calculating sums helps provide the expected total value of a convergent series.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.