Convergence and Divergence of Infinite Series

Problem 1 Determine the convergence or divergence of the series. If possible, find its sum.
1.

n=1

(12)n+1 5
n

Solution.
=

X
5(1)n+1
n=1

This is an alternating series with an = (1)n bn , such that bn = n5 .

Notice that bn+1 bn .

2.

By the alternating series test, the series converges.

P
1
n=1 900n

Solution.

1
1 X1
=
900n
900 n=1 n
n=1
P
1
Note that the harmonic series
n=1 n diverges, so our series diverges.

3.

.
P

n=1 n n

Solution.

X
n=1

X 3
3
=
n n n=1 n3/2

The series is a p-series and converges since p = 3/2 > 1.

4.

n=1

n
4

Solution.

 
X
n
n=1

1
1

=
=

5.

P100

n=1

4
pi
4

1
3
4

4
3

n3 +5n+8
n4

Solution. Note that the sum is over a finite number of terms. Adding
a finite number of finite terms certainly yields a finite sum. To see
this rigorously (if youre unsatisfied with the two sentences prior to this
one), see below.
n3 + 5n + 8
14(for n = 1)
n4
So,
100
100
X
n3 + 5n + 8 X
14

n4
n=1
n=1
= 14(100)
= 1400

6.

Thus, the sum is convergent.

P
n
n=1 2n2 +1

Solution.

X
n=1

X n
n

2n2 + 1 n=1 2n2

2


X
1
=
2n
n=1

7.

1X1
2 n=1 n

Since the harmonic series diverges, so must ours.

P (1)n 3n2

2n

n=1

Solution.

X
(1)n 3n2
n=1

2n

X
(1)n 3n 32
n=1

2n

 n
3
(1)
=
9 2
n=1
n

1 X 3
=
9 n=1 2
n1

This is a geometric series, with r = 3/2. The series diverges since

8.

|r| 1.
P 10

n=1 3 n3

Solution.

10 X 1
=
3 n=1 n3/2

9.

This is a p-series with p = 3/2, so the series converges.

P 10n+3
n=1

n2n

Solution. Since we see a 2n , this seems to suggest the ratio test.

10(n+1)+3
(n+1)2n+1
lim 10n+3
n
n2n

10n + 13
n2n

n (n + 1)2n+1 10n + 3

= lim

(10n + 13)n
n (n + 1) 2 (10n + 3)

= lim

10n2 + 13n
n 20n2 + 23n + 6
1
=
2

= lim




The series converges since the limit is less than 1.

P5
n+3
10.
n=1 2
Solution. Similar to problem 5, this is over a finite number of terms,

11.

so the sum must be finite.

P
2n
n=1 4n2 1

Solution. Recall that the terms of a series must approach 0 for that
series to have a chance at converging. Here, we use the nth -term test
for divergence:
n2n1
lim 2n 4n2 1 = lim
n
n 8n
n(n 1)2n2
=
= lim
n
8

12.

So, the series diverges.

P cos(n)
n=1

n2

Solution.

X
1
n=1

n2

X
cos(n)
n=1

n2

X
1

n2
n=1

Since our series is bounded above and below by convergent series, our
series must also converge.
4

13.

(1)n
n=2 n ln(n)

Solution. This is an alternating series, whose terms decrease towards

14.

0. This means the series converges by the alternating series test.

P n7n
n=1 n!

Solution. The presence of the 7n and the n! suggest the ratio test.
(n+1)7n+1
(n+1)!
lim
n7n
n
n!

(n + 1)7n+1 n!
n
= lim
n
(n + 1)!
n7
7(n + 1)
n n(n + 1)

= lim

7
n n
=0

= lim

15.

So,the series converges by the ratio test.

P
(3)n
n=1 357...(2n+1)

Solution. Notice that there is a (3)n in the numerator. This suggests the ratio test. Also, the denominator has what looks related to a
factorial. Each of these suggest the ratio test.

16.

Perform the ratio test to find a convergent series.

P 357...(2n+1)
n=1 18n (2n1)n!

Solution. Notice that there is an 18n in the denominator. This suggests the ratio test. Also, both the numerator and denominator have
factorials or what looks related to a factorial. Each of these suggest the
ratio test.
Perform the ratio test to find a convergent series.