Infinite Series

August 20, 2012

Sequences: S1 , S2 , . . . , Sn , . . . Converge(C)/Diverge(D)
Series: an = a1 + a2 + . . . + an + . . .
Sequence of partial sums a1 , a1 + a2 , a1 + a2 + a3 +
Preliminary Test: an 6 0 : D
Positive Terms:
A. Comparison Tests: an cn : C R C; an dn : D D
B. Integral Test: an & 0 consider a(x)dx finite C, infinite D
C. Ratio Test: [Usual test to use first]
Let L = lim | aan+1
n
| then L < 1 C; L > 1 D; L = 1 no test
D: Special
P Comparison: [Even more obviously
P easy]
P nc : C and a /c
n n L 6
= P na : C
dn : D and an /dn L 6= 0 an : D
Examples:
a
P n
Geometric Series: ar = 1r iff |r| < 1
P 1
p-series: np p > 1 : C; p 1 : D

NOTE: log n  n  n log n  n2   nk  2n < < k n  nn n!

Alternating Series Test: |an | & 0 C
Conditionally Convergent Series; Absolutely Convergent Series
an (x a)n Interval of Convergence
P
Power Series:
. P n
Taylor Series: f (x) = n=0 f n!(a) (x a)n