Math 1005 H Fall 2015

Series convergence tests summary (incomplete)

In most convergence tests, the given initial value of n is either 0 or 1, but the conver-
gence tests will work with any initial value of n.

∞
X
Geometric Series: The geometric series rn converges to 1
1−r
when |r| < 1, and
n=0
diverges when |r| ≥ 1.

Note: starting the series at a different initial value of n will not affect convergence,
but it will change the sum.

Telescoping Series: Sometimes the term being summed can be written so that a lot
of cancellation takes place in the partial sum sn , making it easy to find s = lim sn
n→∞
(which is the sum of the series). See example 6.45 in the text.

∞
X
nth term test: If lim an 6= 0, then an diverges.
n→∞
n=1

Note: The nth term test can not be used to show that a series converges.

Integral Test: Let f be positive, continuous, and decreasing for x ≥ 1, and let
∞
X Z ∞
an = f (n). Then the series an converges if and only if f (x)dx < ∞.
n=1 1

∞
X 1
p-series: For p a real number, the p-series p
converges for p > 1 and diverges
n=1
n
for p ≤ 1.

Series Approximation: Let f be positive, continuous, and decreasing for x ≥ 1,

∞
X
and let an = f (n). If the series an converges, we may approximate the sum s by
n=1
sn . The error Rn = s − sn satisfies the bounds
Z ∞ Z ∞
f (x)dx ≤ Rn ≤ f (x)dx.
n+1 n
Comparison Test: Let {an } and {bn } be sequences, and suppose that 0 ≤ an ≤ bn
for all n ≥ k (k an integer). Then:
∞
X ∞
X
1. If bn converges, then an converges.
n=1 n=1

∞
X ∞
X
2. If an diverges, then bn diverges.
n=1 n=1

Limit Comparison Test: Let {an } and {bn } be sequences with an > 0 and bn > 0
an
for all n ≥ k (k an integer). Let L = lim . Then:
n→∞ bn

∞
X ∞
X
1. If 0 < L < ∞, then either both an and bn converge, or both diverge.
n=1 n=1

∞
X ∞
X
2. If L = 0 and bn converges, then an converges.
n=1 n=1

∞
X ∞
X
3. If L = ∞ and bn diverges, then an diverges.
n=1 n=1

∞
X ∞
X
n
Alternating Series Test: An alternating series (−1) bn or (−1)n+1 bn (where
n=1 n=1
bn > 0 for all n) converges if bn is decreasing for all n ≥ k (k an integer) and
lim bn = 0.
n→∞

∞
X
Definition of absolute and conditional convergence: If an converges, but
n=1
∞
X ∞
X ∞
X ∞
X
|an | diverges, then an converges conditionally. If an converges and |an |
n=1 n=1 n=1 n=1
∞
X
also converges, then an converges absolutely.
n=1
∞
X ∞
X
Note: If an ≥ 0 for all n, then an and |an | are the same series. Thus if a series
n=1 n=1
consisting of non-negative terms converges, it converges absolutely.
  
 an+1 
Ratio Test: Let {an } be a sequence and suppose that L = lim   exists.
n→∞ an 
∞
X
1. If L < 1, then an converges absolutely.
n=1

∞
X
2. If L > 1, then an diverges.
n=1

3. If L = 1, then no conclusions about the series can be made from this test.

1
Root Test: Let {an } be a sequence and suppose that L = lim |an | n exists.
n→∞

∞
X
1. If L < 1, then an converges absolutely.
n=1

∞
X
2. If L > 1, then an diverges.
n=1

3. If L = 1, then no conclusions about the series can be made from this test.