Infinite Series ?COnverge or Diverge

In summary, the conversation discusses two infinite series, the first being 5k^(-3/2) with a sum from k=1 to infinity and the second being 1/(k+3) with a sum from k=1 to infinity. The first series converges, while the second series diverges. The conversation also mentions the Test for Divergence, which states that if the limit of a_n as n approaches infinity is not equal to 0, then the series diverges. However, this test cannot be used for the second series as the limit is equal to 0. The conversation also suggests using the p-series test for the first series and comparing the second series to a known divergent series, such as
  • #1
SAT2400
69
0
Infinite Series!??COnverge or Diverge

Homework Statement


1.
∑(infinity, k=1) 5k^(-3/2)

2.
∑(infinity, k=1) 1/(k+3)

Homework Equations


converge or diverge

The Attempt at a Solution


1. converges p=3/2... 5/(infin)=> 0
2. diverges p=1
I still don't get why 2 diverges? 1 converges b/c it gets to 0??
 
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  • #2


use integral test for 1

for 2 try and find a comparison test with a harmonic series(1/k)
 
  • #3


Umm, I am not supposed to use those tests...

Is there any other method??
 
  • #4


Can't you just use the test for divergence for #2?

EDIT: I think it works for both #1 and #2.
 
  • #5


could you please show me?thanks
 
  • #6


The best that I can do is tell you what the Test for Divergence is.

The Test for Divergence states that:

If [tex] lim _{x\rightarrow\infty} a_{n} \neq 0, \sum a_{n} diverges. [/tex]

P.S. My LaTeX is weak, could someone tell me how to add spaces?
 
  • #7


SAT2400 said:
Umm, I am not supposed to use those tests...

Is there any other method??

what can you use? i can't read your question/notes/teachers mind ;)
 
  • #8


mg0stisha said:
The best that I can do is tell you what the Test for Divergence is.

The Test for Divergence states that:

If [tex] lim _{x\rightarrow\infty} a_{n} \neq 0, \sum a_{n} diverges. [/tex]

i think both the terms go to zero in the limit? so it doesn't show divergence?

mg0stisha said:
P.S. My LaTeX is weak, could someone tell me how to add spaces?
as for latex, just found out myself (from other posts)-, you can also add the slash to make the limit show correctly, have a look at these:
single space "\"
[tex] \lim _{x\rightarrow\infty} a_{n} \neq 0, \ \sum a_{n} \ diverges. [/tex]

multispace 0.5 inches "\hspace{0.5 in}"
[tex] \lim _{x\rightarrow\infty} a_{n} \neq 0, \hspace{0.5 in} \sum a_{n} \ diverges. [/tex]

using itex (inline tex) and splitting into 2 parts
[itex] \lim _{x\rightarrow\infty} a_{n} \neq 0[/itex], [itex]\sum a_{n} \ diverges. [/itex]
 
Last edited:
  • #9


mg0stisha said:
Can't you just use the test for divergence for #2?

EDIT: I think it works for both #1 and #2.

what are you talking about? #1 converges and #2 does diverge but you're not going to show it using the divergence test since [itex]lim_{k\rightarrow \infty} \frac{1}{(k+3)} = 0[/itex]

to op:

for #1 it's a p series
for #2 show that it's bigger than [tex]\sum \frac{1}{5k}[/tex] and then show that that diverges
 
  • #10


Wow, I apologize to the OP. Guess I should stop doing math at 4 am and just go to bed! Sorry for any confusion, I definitely see my blindingly obvious mistakes now.
 

Related to Infinite Series ?COnverge or Diverge

1. What is an infinite series?

An infinite series is a sum of infinitely many terms. It is written in the form of a1 + a2 + a3 + ... = ∑n=1 an, where an represents each term in the series and n represents the index or position of the term.

2. How do you determine if an infinite series converges or diverges?

To determine if an infinite series converges or diverges, we can use various tests such as the comparison test, ratio test, root test, or integral test. These tests compare the series to a known convergent or divergent series and provide a way to determine the behavior of the given series.

3. What does it mean for an infinite series to converge?

For an infinite series to converge, the sum of its terms approaches a finite value as the number of terms increases. In other words, the series has a finite limit or sum as the number of terms approaches infinity.

4. What does it mean for an infinite series to diverge?

For an infinite series to diverge, the sum of its terms does not approach a finite value as the number of terms increases. This means that the series has no limit or sum as the number of terms approaches infinity, or the sum goes to infinity.

5. Can an infinite series converge to a negative value?

Yes, an infinite series can converge to a negative value. Convergence or divergence of a series is determined by the behavior of the series as the number of terms increases, not by the value of the sum. Therefore, a series can converge to a negative, positive, or zero value.

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