Chapter 9: Problem 40
Which of the series in Exercises converge, and which diverge? Use any method, and give reasons for your answers. $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{2^{n}+3^{n}}{3^{n}+4^{n}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series converges.
Step by step solution
01
Analyze the General Term
Consider the general term of the series, given by \( a_n = \frac{2^{n} + 3^{n}}{3^{n} + 4^{n}} \). As \( n \) becomes very large, the term \( 3^n \) will dominate \( 2^n \) and \( 4^n \) will dominate \( 3^n \). Therefore, we can approximate \( a_n \) as \( a_n \approx \frac{3^n}{4^n} = \left( \frac{3}{4} \right)^n \).
02
Apply the Comparison Test
Find a known series to compare with \( a_n \). Notice that \( a_n \approx \left( \frac{3}{4} \right)^n \). The series \( \sum \left( \frac{3}{4} \right)^n \) is a geometric series with ratio \( r = \frac{3}{4} \), which is less than 1, and thus converges.
03
Establish the Limit Comparison
Compute the limit: \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{\left( \frac{3}{4} \right)^n} = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{2^n + 3^n}{3^n + 4^n} \cdot \frac{4^n}{3^n} = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{2^n \cdot \frac{4^n}{3^n} + 3^n \cdot \frac{4^n}{3^n}}{3^n \cdot \frac{4^n}{3^n} + 4^n \cdot \frac{4^n}{3^n}} \). Evaluating this, the dominant terms are \( 3^n \) in the numerator and \( 4^n \) in the denominator, so the limit simplifies to 1.
04
Conclude by Comparison Tests
Since the limit in the previous step is 1, the given series \( \sum \frac{2^n + 3^n}{3^n + 4^n} \) is comparable to the convergent geometric series \( \sum \left( \frac{3}{4} \right)^n \). Thus, by the Limit Comparison Test, the original series converges.
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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 one of the simplest types of series to understand. It's formed by a sequence of terms, each of which is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a constant called the common ratio. In general, a geometric series can be expressed as:\[ S = a + ar + ar^2 + ar^3 + \cdots \]where \( a \) is the first term and \( r \) is the common ratio. An important characteristic of geometric series is that they have a clear rule for determining convergence. If the absolute value of the common ratio \( |r| < 1 \), the series converges. If \( |r| \geq 1 \), the series diverges.
In the exercise, the term \( \left( \frac{3}{4} \right)^n \) represents a geometric series with a common ratio \( r = \frac{3}{4} \), which is less than 1. Therefore, this reference series converges.
In the exercise, the term \( \left( \frac{3}{4} \right)^n \) represents a geometric series with a common ratio \( r = \frac{3}{4} \), which is less than 1. Therefore, this reference series converges.
Limit Comparison Test
The Limit Comparison Test is a useful method for determining the convergence or divergence of a series by comparing it to another series whose behavior is known. This test uses a limit to compare the terms of two series.
Here's how the Limit Comparison Test works:
Since \( \sum b_n \) converges, \( \sum a_n \) converges as well by the Limit Comparison Test.
Here's how the Limit Comparison Test works:
- Given two series \( \sum a_n \) and \( \sum b_n \) with positive terms, compute the limit \( \lim_{n o \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} \).
- If the limit is a positive finite number, both series either converge or diverge together.
Since \( \sum b_n \) converges, \( \sum a_n \) converges as well by the Limit Comparison Test.
Dominant Terms
When solving series problems, especially those involving exponential functions, it's useful to identify dominant terms. A dominant term is the part of an expression that grows the fastest as the index goes to infinity.
In the given series, the terms \( 3^n \) and \( 4^n \) play crucial roles.
In the given series, the terms \( 3^n \) and \( 4^n \) play crucial roles.
- In the numerator, \( 3^n \) eventually surpasses \( 2^n \) as \( n \) becomes very large, because 3 is greater than 2.
- In the denominator, \( 4^n \) dominates \( 3^n \) for the same reasoning, since 4 is greater than 3.