Definition of Convergence
and Divergence in Series
The nth partial sum of the series
an
is given by Sn = a1 + a2 + a3
+ ... + an. If the sequence of these partial sums {Sn}
converges to L, then the sum of the series converges to L. If {Sn}
diverges, then the sum of the series diverges.
Operations on Convergent Series
If
an = A, and bn = B, then the following also converge as indicated:
can = cA
(an + bn)
= A + B
(an - bn) = A - B
Alphabetical Listing of Convergence Tests
Absolute Convergence
If the series |an| converges, then the series an also converges.
Alternating Series Test
If for all n, an is positive, non-increasing (i.e. 0
< an+1 <= an), and approaching zero, then the
alternating series
(-1)n an and (-1)n-1 an
both converge. If the alternating series converges, then
the remainder RN = S - SN (where S is the exact sum of
the infinite series and SN is the sum of the first N terms of the
series) is bounded by |RN| <= aN+1
Deleting the first N Terms
If N is a positive integer, then the series
both converge or
both diverge. Direct Comparison
Test
If 0 <= an <= bn for all n greater
than some positive integer N, then the following rules apply:
If bn converges,
then an converges.
If an diverges,
then bn diverges.
Geometric Series Convergence
The geometric series is given by
a rn = a + a r + a r2
+ a r3 + ...
If |r| < 1 then the
following geometric series converges to a / (1 - r).
If |r| >= 1 then the above geometric series diverges.
Integral Test
If for all n >= 1, f(n) = an, and f is positive,
continuous, and decreasing then
either both converge or both
diverge.
If the above series converges, then the remainder RN = S -
SN (where S is the exact sum of the infinite series and SN
is the sum of the first N terms of the series) is bounded by 0< = RN
<= (N.. ) f(x) dx.
Limit Comparison Test
If lim (n-->)
(an /
bn) = L, where an, bn > 0 and L is
finite and positive,
then the series an and bn either both converge
or both diverge.
nth-Term Test for Divergence
If the sequence {an} does not converge to zero, then the series an diverges.
p-Series Convergence
The p-series is given by
1/np = 1/1p + 1/2p +
1/3p + ...
where p > 0 by definition. If
p > 1, then the series converges. If 0 < p <= 1 then the series
diverges. Ratio Test
If for all n, n 0, then the following rules apply:
Let L = lim (n -- > ) | an+1 / an |.
If L < 1, then the series an converges.
If L > 1, then the series an diverges.
If L =
1, then the test in inconclusive. Root Test
Let L = lim (n -- > ) | an |1/n.
If L < 1, then the series an converges.
If L > 1, then the series an diverges.
If L =
1, then the test in inconclusive. Taylor Series Convergence
If f has derivatives of all orders in an interval I centered at c,
then the Taylor series converges as indicated:
(1/n!) f(n)(c) (x - c)n
= f(x)
if and only if lim (n--> )
Rn = 0 for all x in I.
The remainder RN = S -
SN of the Taylor series (where S is the exact sum of the infinite
series and SN is the sum of the first N terms of the series) is
equal to (1/(n+1)!) f(n+1)(z) (x - c)n+1, where z is
some constant between x and c. |