Single Variable Calculus

Department of Mathematics
SRM University-AP, Amaravati
 Geometric Series

Definitions
Geometric series are series of the form
∞
X
a + ar + ar 2 + · · · + ar n−1 + · · · = ar n−1
n=1

in which a and r are fixed real numbers and a 6= 0.

Convergence and Divergence of the Geometric Series
Convergence and Divergence of the Geometric Series
Convergence and divergence of the geometric series
If |r | < 1, the geometric series a + ar + ar 2 + · · · + ar n−1 + · · · converges to
a/(1 − r ) that is
∞
X a
ar n−1 = , |r | < 1.
1−r
n=1

If |r | ≥ 1, the geometric series diverges.

Example 1: Determine if the following geometric series converges or
diverges. If a series converges, find its sum.
1 1 1 1
(i) 9
+ 27
+ 81
+ 243
+ ···

5 5 5
(ii) 5 − 4
+ 16
− 64
+ ···

(iii) 1 + (−3) + (−3)2 + (−3)3 + (−3)4 + · · ·

Example 2: Express the repeating decimal 5.232323 · · · as the ratio of two
integers.
Example 3: Express the repeating decimal 0.06666 · · · as the ratio of two
integers.
 Combining Series

Theorem
P P
If an = A and bn = B are convergent series then
P P P
1 Sum Rule: (an + bn ) = an + bn = A + B
P P P
2 Difference Rule: (an − bn ) = an − bn = A − B
P P
3 Constant Multiple Rule: kan = k an = kA (any number k ).
Examples: Find the sums of the following series.
P∞ 2n +5
(a) n=0 3n

3n−1 −1
P∞
(b) n=1 6n−1
 P∞ 4
(c) n=0 2n

Note:
1 Every nonzero constant multiple of a divergent series diverges.
P P P P
2 If an converges and bn diverges, then (an + bn ) and (an − bn )
both diverge.

Reference
Thomas’ Calculus, 14th Edition by Pearson ( George B. Thomas, JR.
Joel Hass, Christopher Heil and Maurice D. Weir), 2018.