THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

Department of Mathematics
MATH1010D&E (2016/17 Term 1)
University Mathematics
Tutorial 3

Definition (Convergence of infinite series)

∞
X
Let an be a infinite series. Then it is convergent if the sequence of partial sum
n=1

n
X
sn = ak
k=1

is convergent. Then we define

∞
X
an = lim sn
n→∞
n=1

Some theorems about infinite series

∞
X
1. If an is convergent, then lim an = 0
n→∞
n=1
2. Comparison test
∞
X ∞
X
If 0 ≤ |an | ≤ bn for all n and bn is convergent, then an is convergent
n=0 n=0
3. Alternating series test
If {an } is a decreasing sequence of positive real numbers and lim an = 0, then
n→∞
∞
X
(−1)n an is convergent.
n=0

Definition (Limit of functions)

Let f (x) be a real-valued function.

1. L ∈ R is said to be a limit of f (x) at x = a if for any  > 0, there exists δ such that

if 0 < |x − a| < δ then |f (x) − L| < 

Here we write lim f (x) = L

x→a
2. L ∈ R is said to be a limit of f (x) at x = +∞ if for any  > 0, there exists R ∈ R
such that
if x > R then |f (x) − L| < 
Here we write lim f (x) = L
x→∞

Remark: f (a) may not exist even when lim f (x) exists.
x→a

1
Problems that may be demonstrated in class :
∞ ∞
X 1 X 1
Given that 2
is convergent, and is divergent.
n n
n=1 n=1

Q1. Are the following infinite series convergent? Prove it.

∞
X | cos n|
(a)
n4
n=1
∞
X 1
(b)
(n + 1)(n + 2)
n=1
∞
X 1
(c) √
n=1
3n − 2
∞
X 4n
(d)
3n + 1
n=1
∞
X n
(e)
ln n
n=2
X∞
(f) (−1)n
n=1
∞
X
Q2. By using comparison test, prove the following statement: If an with an > 0 is
n=1
∞
X
convergent, then a2n is convergent.
n=1
∞
X
Q3. (a) If an is absolutely convergent and (bn ) is a bounded sequence, show that
n=1
∞
X
an bn is absolutely convergent.
n=1
(b) Give an example such that the above statement is false if absolutely conver-
gent is replaced by convergent.
Q4. Compute the following limits:
(a) lim x + 1
x→1

x2 − 1
(b) lim
x→1 x − 1
ex − 1
(c) lim
x→0 x
6e4x − e−2x
(d) lim
x→∞ 8e5x − e2x + 3e−x

3x2 + 7x + 5
(e) lim
x→∞ 5x2 + 2
p
(f) lim x − x2 + x
x→∞
1
(g) lim x sin
x→0 x

2
 x5 − 1
(h) lim
x→1 x − 1

Q5. (a) Let a ∈ R. Show that if lim f (x) exists, then lim [f (x)]2 exist.
x→a x→a
(b) Is the converse true? Prove or disprove.