APSC173 Assignment # 4: (Series, Integral, Comparison, Root,

and Ratio Tests for Series)

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Exercises

1. (series) Use the nth term test to determine of the following series diverge
∞
X n(n + 1)
i.
n=1
(n + 2)(n + 3)
∞
X
ii. cos(1/n)
n=−10

Solution:

i. Since (n(n + 1))/((n + 2)(n + 3)) → 1 the series diverges.

ii. Since cos(1/n) → 1 the series diverges.

2. (series) Determine if the following series converge or diverge. If it converges, find the sum.
∞
X 3n+1
i.
n=0
2n
Solution: The series is geometric with a = 3 and r = 3/2 so it diverges
 ∞  
X 3 3
ii. −
n=1
n2 (n + 1)2
Solution: The series is telescoping and the k th partial sum can be simplified to
k  
X 3 3 3
sk = 2
− 2
=3−
n=1
n (n + 1) (k + 1)2

Since sk → 3, the series converges and the sum is 3.

∞
X nπ
iii. cos
n=1
2
Solution: The series can be re-written as
∞
X nπ
cos = 1 + 0 − 1 + 0 + 1 + 0 − 1...
n=1
2

Since limn→∞ an fails to exist, the series diverges.

∞
X 40n
iv. 2 (2n + 1)2
(Hint: use partial fractions)
n=1
(2n − 1)
Solution: Using partial fractions, per the hint
40n K1 K2 K3 K4
2 2
= + 2
+ +
(2n − 1) (2n + 1) 2n − 1 (2n − 1) 2n + 1 (2n + 1)2

To find K2 , multiply both sides by (2n−1)2 and evaluate at n = 1/2. By inspection, K2 = 40(1/2)/(2(1/2)+1)2 =
20/4 = 5. Similarly K4 = 40(−1/2)/(2(−1/2) − 1)2 = −5. To find K1 , multiply both sides by (2n − 1)2 ,
differentiate with respect to n and evaluate at n = 1/2:
d 40n d
= (2n − 1)K1 + [other terms that will evaluate to zero when n = 1/2]
dn (2n + 1)2 dn
40(2n + 1)2 − 160n(2n + 1)
= 2K1
(2n + 1)4
2
40(2(1/2) + 1) − 160(1/2)(2(1/2) + 1)
= 2K1
(2(1/2) + 1)4
K1 =0
Similarly for K3 ,
d 40n d
= (2n + 1)K3 + [other terms that will evaluate to zero when n = −1/2]
dn (2n − 1)2 dn
2
40(2n − 1) − 160n(2n − 1)
= 2K3
(2n − 1)4
40(2(−1/2) − 1)2 − 160(−1/2)(2(−1/2) − 1)
= 2K3
(2(−1/2) − 1)4
K3 =0
Therefore, the sum can be re-written as
∞ ∞  
X 40n X 1 1
= 5 −
n=1
(2n − 1)2 (2n + 1)2 n=1
(2n − 1)2 (2n + 1)2

This is a telescoping series and the k th partial sum is

 
1
sk = 5 1 −
(2k + 1)2
Since sk → 5 the series converges and the sum is 5.
 ∞
X 2
v. n
n=10
10
Solution: The series is geometric with r = 1/10. To find the sum using the formula, we need to first re-index
and also subtract the 10th partial sum,
∞ ∞  n−1
X 2 X 1
n
= 2
n=10
10 n=11
10
∞  n−1
X 1
= 2 − s10
n=1
10
2 2(1 − (1/10)10 )
= −
1 − (1/10) 1 − (1/10)
 10 
20 20 10 − 1
= −
9 9 1010
20
= × 10−10 ≈ 2.2 × 10−10
9

3. (integral test) For the following series, show that the conditions of the integral test are satisfied and use it to prove
whether the series converges or diverges:
∞
X n2
n=1
en/3

Solution: The function x2 /ex/3 is continuous and positive by inspection. To check that it is decreasing, we evaluate
the derivative
 2 0
x 2xex/3 − (1/3)x2 ex/3
x/3
=
e e2x/3
x(6 − x)
=
3ex/3
Thus, the function is decreasing for x > 6. Its integral is found by parts,
u dv
x2 e−x/3
2x −3e−x/3
2 9e−x/3
0 −27e−x/3

∞  b
x2 3x2
Z 
18x 54
= lim − − −
6 ex/3 b→∞ ex/3 ex/3 ex/3 6
 b
3x2 + 18x + 54

= lim −
b→∞ ex/3
 2
 6
3b + 18b + 54 270
= lim − + 2
b→∞ eb/3 e
 
6 270
= lim − + 2 , by l’Hôpital’s rule
b→∞ (1/3)2 eb/3 e
270
= 2
e
P∞
This tells us
P∞ that the series n=6 n2 /en/3 converges. However, the first 5 terms of the series in question are finite.
Therefore n2 /en/3 also converges.
 P∞
4. (integral test) Consider the series n=1
√1
n+1
and show the following:

i. The conditions of the integral test are satisfied

ii. The series diverges

Solution:

√
i. Continuity and positivity are obvious. To show that it is decreasing, (1/ x + 1)0 = −1/(2(x + 1))3/2 < 0.
ii. By the integral test,
∞ b
√
Z
dx
√ = lim 2 x + 1 =∞
1 x+1 b→∞ 1

5. (Integral Test) Determine the convergence/divergence of the following series using the integral test:
P∞ 1
i. n=2 n(ln(n))2
P∞ n−4
ii. n=2 n2 −2n+1
P∞ n
iii. n=1 n2 +1
P∞ 2
iv. n=1 e−n
Solution:
1
i. Choose f (x) = x(ln(x))2 . The function is continuous and positive for x ≥ 2. Moreover,

−(ln(x))2 − 2 ln(x)
f 0 (x) = <0
x2 (ln(x))4

for x ≥ 2. Hence, f (x) is decreasing for x ≥ 2, and the integral test can be applied. Now,
Z ∞ Z ∞
1
f (x)dx = dx
2 x(ln(x))2
Z2 ∞
du
= 2
ln(2) u
 
1 1
= lim − +
b→∞ b ln(2)
1
=
ln(2)

where we used the substitution u = ln(x). Since the integral converges, the series also converges.
 P∞ n−4
P∞ n−4 x−4
ii. n=2 n2 −2n+1 = n=2 (n−1)2 . Consider the function f (x) = (x−1)2 . This function is positive and continuous
for x ≥ 2. Moreover,

(x − 1)2 − 2(x − 4)(x − 1)

f 0 (x) =
(x − 1)4
x − 2x + 1 − 2x2 + 10x − 8
2
=
(x − 1)4
2
−x + 8x − 7
=
(x − 1)4
−(x − 4)2 + 9
=
(x − 1)4
(3 − (x − 4))(3 + (x − 4)
=
(x − 1)4
(7 − x)(x − 1)
=
(x − 1)4
<0
P∞ n−4
P6 n−4
P∞ n−4
if x > 7. Thus, we can write n=2 (n−1) 2 = n=2 (n−1)2 + n=7 (n−1)2 and examine the convergence of the
second series using the integral test, which suffices since the first sum is finite. Now
Z ∞ Z ∞
x−4 x−1−3
2
dx = dx
7 (x − 1) 7 (x − 1)2
Z ∞ Z ∞
x−1 1
= 2
dx − 3 dx
(x − 1) (x − 1)2
Z7 ∞ Z ∞7
1 1
= dx − 3 dx
7 x − 1 7 (x − 1)2
1 1
= lim (ln |b − 1| − ln |7 − 1|) − 3 lim (− + )
b→∞ b→∞ b−1 7−1
=∞

Thus, the series diverges.

−x2 +1
iii. Let f (x) = x2x+1 . Note that f (x) is continuous, positive, and decreasing for x ≥ 1 since f 0 (x) = (x2 +1)2 < 0 for
x ≥ 1. Now
Z ∞
1 ∞ du
Z
x
dx =
1 x2 + 1 2 2 u
1
= lim (ln(b) − ln(2))
2 b→∞
=∞

where we used u = x2 + 1. Thus the series diverges.

 2
iv. Let f (x) = e−x . This function is continuous, positive, and decreasing for x ≥ 1. Moreover,
Z ∞ Z ∞
2
e−x dx ≤ e−x dx
1 1
= lim (−e−b + e−1 )
b→∞
= e−1
R∞ 2 P∞ 2
Thus, 1 e−x dx converges by the comparison test for improper integrals, and n=1 e−n converges by the
integral test.
6. (Comparison Tests) Use an appropriate comparison test to determine the convergence/divergence of the
following series:
P∞
i. √1
n=2 n−1

P∞ cos2 (n)
ii. n=1 n3/2
P∞ n(n+1)
iii. n=2 (n2 +1)(n−1)
P∞ n
iv. √5 n
n=1 n4
P∞ 1
v. n=3 ln(ln(n))

n+2n
P∞
vi. n=1 n2 2n
P∞ 1
vii. n=1 12 +22 +32 +···+n2

Solution:
√ √ P∞ P∞
i. n − 1 ≤ n ⇒ √1 ≥ √1 . But √1 diverges (p-series with p < 1) which implies that √1 also
n−1 n n=2 n n=2 n−1
diverges.
cos2 (n) 1
P∞ 1
ii. cos2 (n) ≤ 1 and hence n3/2
≤ n3/2
. But n=1 n3/2 converges (p-series with p > 1) which implies that
P∞ cos2 (n)
n=1 n3/2 converges.
n(n+1)
(n2 +1)(n−1)
P∞ 1
P∞ n(n+1)
iii. limn→∞ 1 = 1, and n=2 n diverges. Thus, n=2 (n2 +1)(n−1) diverges.
n

n P∞ P∞ n
iv. √5 n ≥ √1 and √1 diverges. Hence, √5 n diverges.
n4 n n=1 n n=1 n4

v. We know that ln(n) < n. Taking the P logarithm of both sides gives
P∞ ln(ln(n)) < ln(n). Therefore, ln(ln(n)) < n
1 ∞
which implies that ln(ln(n)) > n1 . But n=3 n1 diverges. Thus, n=3 ln(ln(n))
1
diverges.
n+2n
n+2n
n2 2n
P∞ 1
P∞
vi. limn→∞ 1 = 1 and n=1 n2 converges. Hence, n=1 n2 2n converges.
n2

1 1
P∞ 1
P∞ 1
vii. 12 + 22 + 32 + · · · + n2 > n2 ⇒ 12 +22 +32 +···+n2 < n2 . But n=1 n2 converges. Hence, n=1 12 +22 +32 +···+n2
converges.
7. (Ratio and Root Tests) Use the ratio or root test to determine the convergence of the following series
√
n 2
P∞
i. n=1 2n
P∞
ii. n=1 n!(−e)−n
P∞ (− ln(n))n
iii. n=1 nn
P∞ (n+1)(n+2)
iv. n=1 n!
P∞ 1+sin(n)
v. n=1 an with a1 = 2, an+1 = n an

3
 P∞
vi. n=1 an with a1 = 13 , an+1 = 3n−1
2n+5 an

Solution:
r √
√
n 2
2 √
2 √ √
i. We have that limn→∞ n
2n
n
= limn→∞ 2n = 21 limn→∞ n n = 1
2 limn→∞ ( n n) 2 = 1
2. By the root test,
P∞ n√2
n=1 2n absolutely converges and hence also converges.

(n+1)!(−e)n+1
ii. We have that limn→∞ n!(−e)n = limn→∞ |(n + 1)(−e)| = ∞. Hence, the series diverges by the ratio test.
r q
n (− ln(n))n n (ln(n))n ln(n)
iii. We have that limn→∞ nn = limn→∞ nn = limn→∞ n = 0. Hence, the series converges by
the root test.
(n+2)(n+3)
(n+1)! (n+2)(n+3)n! (n+3)
iv. We have that limn→∞ (n+1)(n+2) = limn→∞ (n+1)(n+2)(n+1)! = limn→∞ (n+1)(n+1) = 0. Hence, the series
n!
converges by the ratio test.
an+1 1+sin(n)
v. Since limn→∞ an = limn→∞ n = 0, then the series converges by the ratio test.

an+1 3n−1
vi. Since limn→∞ an = limn→∞ 2n+5 = 32 , then the series diverges by the ratio test.