Summary of Convergence Tests for Series

Test Series Convergence or Divergence Comments

term test
th X
!1 an 6= 0
n
Diverges if lim Inconclusive if lim
(or the zero test)
an
n n !1 an = 0.

X
1 X
1 ! Converges to
a
only if jxj < 1 Useful for comparison
Geometric series n
ax or ax
n 1 1 x
tests if the nth term an of
n =0 n =1 Diverges if jxj  1 a series is similar to axn .
Useful for comparison
X
1 1 Converges if p > 1 tests if the nth term an of
-series
p
1
Diverges if p  1
p
n =1 n
a series is similar to p .
n

X
1 Z1 The function f obtained
(c  0) Converges if ( ) dx converges
f x from an = f (n) must be
Z 1c
an

Integral =n c continuous, positive,

an = f (n) for all n
Diverges if f x ( ) dx diverges decreasing and readily
c
integrable for x  c.
X X X X
an and bn bn converges =) an converges The
X comparison series
Comparison X X bn is often a geometric

with 0  an  bn for all n an diverges =) bn diverges series or a p-series.

X X The
X comparison series
an and bn X X bn is often a geometric
bn converges =) an converges
series or a p-series. To nd
Limit Comparison* with an ; bn > 0 for all n X X bn consider only the terms
bn diverges =) an diverges
and lim
an
=L>0 of an that have the greatest
n !1 bn eect on the magnitude.
X j an +1 j = L
Converges (absolutely) if L < 1 Inconclusive if L = 1.
Ratio with lim Useful if an involves
an
n!1 j nj
a
Diverges if L > 1 or if L is innite factorials or nth powers.

X p
n j j=
Converges (absolutely) if L < 1 Test is inconclusive if L = 1.
Root* with lim Useful if an involves
n!1
an n a L

Diverges if L > 1 or if L is innite n

th
powers.
Absolute Value X X X Useful for series containing
X j n j converges =) converges both positive and negative
j nj
an a an
a
terms.
X
1 Converges if 0 < an+1 < an for all n Applicable only to series
Alternating series ( 1)n 1 an (an > 0)
=1 and lim an = 0 with alternating terms.
n n !1

*The Root and Limit Comparison tests are not included in the current textbook used in Calculus classes at Bates College.