Chapter 9: Problem 91
Show by example that \(\Sigma\left(a_{n} / b_{n}\right)\) may diverge even though \(\Sigma a_{n}\) and \(\Sigma b_{n}\) converge and no \(b_{n}\) equals 0.
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(\Sigma(a_n / b_n)\) diverges even when \(\Sigma a_n\) and \(\Sigma b_n\) converge.
Step by step solution
01
Define the Series
We need two series, \(\Sigma a_n\) and \(\Sigma b_n\), that both converge. Let's choose \(a_n = 1/n^2\) and \(b_n = 1/(2^n)\). Both are known to converge. Specifically, \(\Sigma a_n\) is a p-series with \(p > 1\), and \(\Sigma b_n\) is a geometric series with a common ratio \(r = 1/2 < 1\).
02
Consider the Third Series
Form a new series by dividing terms: \(\frac{a_n}{b_n} = \frac{1/n^2}{1/(2^n)} = \frac{2^n}{n^2}\).
03
Check the Divergence of the Third Series
We use the limit comparison test with a known divergent series. Consider the series \(\Sigma 2^n\). The term \(\frac{2^n}{n^2}\) behaves similarly to \(2^n\) as \(n\) becomes large. This suggests divergence since \(\Sigma 2^n\) is a divergent geometric series.
04
Conclude the Divergence
Because \(\Sigma 2^n\) diverges and the terms \(\frac{2^n}{n^2}\) mimic this growth, the series \(\Sigma \frac{a_n}{b_n}\) also diverges. Each term of \(\Sigma \frac{a_n}{b_n}\) grows rapidly enough to not satisfy a finite sum.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Limit Comparison Test
The Limit Comparison Test is a method used to determine the convergence or divergence of a series by comparing it to another series with known behavior. It can be particularly useful when direct convergence tests are difficult to apply. If you have two series \( \Sigma a_n \) and \( \Sigma b_n \), the test involves taking the limit: \[ L = \lim_{{n \to \infty}} \frac{a_n}{b_n}. \]
- If \( L > 0 \) and finite, both series either converge or diverge together.
- If \( L = 0 \) and series \( \Sigma b_n \) converges, so does \( \Sigma a_n \).
- If \( L = \infty \) and series \( \Sigma b_n \) diverges, so does \( \Sigma a_n \).
P-Series
A p-series is a type of infinite series defined by the reciprocal of each term raised to a power of \( p \), written as \( \Sigma \frac{1}{n^p} \). Its convergence is determined by the value of \( p \):
- If \( p > 1 \), the series converges.
- If \( p \leq 1 \), the series diverges.
Geometric Series
Geometric series have a distinct pattern where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant, called the ratio \( r \). The general form is \( \Sigma ar^n \), where \( a \) is the first term. The series converges if the absolute value of the common ratio is less than 1:
- If \( |r| < 1 \), the series converges.
- If \( |r| \geq 1 \), the series diverges.
Convergent Series
A convergent series is a series whose sum approaches a finite number as more terms are added. To determine convergence, various tests are available, such as:
- Comparison Test, where one checks against a known series;
- Ratio Test, which involves the limit of term ratios;
- Integral Test, leveraging calculus to assess series behavior.
Divergent Series
A divergent series is one where the sum does not approach a finite number as more terms are added. \( \Sigma d_n \) is said to diverge if the partial sums tend to infinity or fail to settle to a particular value. Examples include:
- Harmonic Series: \( \Sigma \frac{1}{n} \), which diverges.
- The Series \( \Sigma 2^n \), a geometric series with a ratio greater than 1.