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For each of the following series, use the root test to

determine whether the series converges or diverges.
∞

Consider the series ∑ a , let n =1

n

ρ=lim √|an|
n

n →∞

 If 0 ≤ ρ<1 , then ∑ a converges absolutely

n =1
n

 If ρ>1∨ρ>∞ , then ∑ an diverges

n =1

 If ρ=1, the test does not provide any information

√
n
( n2+ 3 n )
a) lim
n→∞
n
2
4 n +5

To apply the root test, we compute

√
n
n ( n2 +3 n ) n 2+3 n 1
ρ=lim =¿ lim = ¿
n →∞ 4 n2 +5 2
n→ ∞ 4 n +5 4

Since ρ<1, the series converges absolutely.

b) lim
√
nn
n

n → ∞ ( ln n )
n

To apply the root test, we compute

ρ=lim
n →∞ √
nn
n

( ln n ) n
=¿ lim
n
n → ∞ ln n
1
=lim =∞ ¿
n→∞ 1
n

by L’Hôpital’s rule.
Since ρ=∞, the series diverges.
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Use the root test to determine whether the series ∑ n1 n =1

n

converges or diverges
To apply the root test, we compute
ρ=lim
n →∞ √
n 1
n n
1
=¿ lim =0 ¿
n→∞ n

Since ρ=0, the series converges.

∫ u √ a+ bu du
t−a
Here let a+ bu=t , thendt =bdu ,∧u= b ,

[ ]
5 3

[ ] [ ]
1 3 1 5 3
t−a d t 1 1 1 t2 t2 1 2 2 2
∫ u √ a+ bu du=∫ b b b2∫
√ t = [ t−a ] t 2
dt=
b 2∫
t 2
−a t 2
dt= 2
− +C= 2 t 2 − a t 2 +C=
b 5 3 b 5 3 15 b
2 2

Or
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3 3
2 2
2
[ 3 a+3 bu−5 a ] ( a+bu )2 +C= 2
[ 3 bu−2 a ] ( a+bu ) 2 +C
15 b 15 b

u
∫ √ a+bu du
t−a
Here let a+ bu=t , thendt =bdu ,∧u= b ,

[ ]
3 1

[ ] dt = b1 [ ]
−1 1 −1 2 2 3 1
u t−a 1 dt 1 1 t t 1 2 2
∫ √ a+bu du=∫ = ∫ [ t−a ] t
b √t b b 2
2
dt=
b2
∫ t −a t
2 2
2
− +C= 2 t 2 −2 a t 2 +C=
3 1 b 3 3b
2 2

Or
1
2
2
[ a+bu−3 a ] ( a+ bu ) 2 + C=¿
3b
2
2
[ bu−2 a ] √ a+ bu+C
3b