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Series Convergence Test Flowchart

The document is a flowchart for determining the convergence of series, outlining various tests such as the Divergence Test, Alternating Series Test, Comparison Test, Limit Comparison Test, Root Test, Ratio Test, and Integral Test. It includes key points about p-series and geometric series, emphasizing the importance of tail behavior in series convergence. The flowchart guides users through a series of questions to identify the appropriate convergence test based on the characteristics of the series.

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Nasim Sharif
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33 views1 page

Series Convergence Test Flowchart

The document is a flowchart for determining the convergence of series, outlining various tests such as the Divergence Test, Alternating Series Test, Comparison Test, Limit Comparison Test, Root Test, Ratio Test, and Integral Test. It includes key points about p-series and geometric series, emphasizing the importance of tail behavior in series convergence. The flowchart guides users through a series of questions to identify the appropriate convergence test based on the characteristics of the series.

Uploaded by

Nasim Sharif
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Series Convergence Flowchart

X Things to remember:
an
n • p-series: The series
X 1

n
np
Diverges converges if and only if p > 1
does an → 0?
by Divergence Test
• Geometric series: If |r| < 1 then
∞
X a
arn =
Is it alternating in sign n=0
1−r
Is an > 0?
and |an | decreasing?
otherwise, that series diverges.

• All that matters is what happens on a tail.


For example, if an is only decreasing after
Converges N then you can write:
by Alternating Series Test
∞
X N
X ∞
X
an = an + an
Try to showP absolute convergence
n=1 n=1 N +1
i.e |an | converges
the finite sum clearly converges, and then
you can use convergence tests that require
decreasing on the other part.
Are there any
easy comparisons? Try Comparison Test:
P P
if an < bn and bn converges then an converges
P P
if bn < an and bn diverges then an diverges

Does it feel like an Try Limit Comparison Test:


‘looks like’ an
lim = c then:
some bn ? bn
P P
if 0 < c < ∞ then an converges ⇔ bn converges
P P
if c = 0 and bn converges then an converges.
P P
if c = ∞ and bn diverges then an diverges.

p
Is n |an |
Try Root Test:
easy to analyze? p
n
lim |an | = c
P
if 0 ≤ c < 1 then an converges
P
if c > 1 then an diverges
if c = 1 then test is inconclusive
an+1
Is
an Try Ratio Test:
easy to analyze? an+1
lim =c
an
P
if 0 ≤ c < 1 then an converges
P
if c > 1 then an diverges
if c = 1 then test is inconclusive
Is there a positive,
decreasing f (x)
where Rf (n) = an Try Integral Test:
and f (x) dx P R∞
an converges ⇔ f (x) dx converges Key
isn’t so bad? Yes
No

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