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3.4 Direct Comparison and Limit Comparison Tests

1. The document discusses direct comparison test and limit comparison test, which are used to determine if an infinite series converges or diverges by comparing it to another series with known behavior. 2. It provides examples of applying both tests to various series. For direct comparison test, it shows choosing a b_n series that is always greater than the given a_n series. For limit comparison test, it demonstrates calculating the limit of a_n/b_n and relating the behaviors of the two series based on whether the limit is finite and positive. 3. The examples cover cases where the comparison series is known to converge or diverge, and applying the corresponding tests to determine if the given series also converges or

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Dileep Naraharasetty
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1K views17 pages

3.4 Direct Comparison and Limit Comparison Tests

1. The document discusses direct comparison test and limit comparison test, which are used to determine if an infinite series converges or diverges by comparing it to another series with known behavior. 2. It provides examples of applying both tests to various series. For direct comparison test, it shows choosing a b_n series that is always greater than the given a_n series. For limit comparison test, it demonstrates calculating the limit of a_n/b_n and relating the behaviors of the two series based on whether the limit is finite and positive. 3. The examples cover cases where the comparison series is known to converge or diverge, and applying the corresponding tests to determine if the given series also converges or

Uploaded by

Dileep Naraharasetty
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Direct comparison Test and Limit Comparison Test

If a
n
and b
n
are the n
th
terms of two infinite series, and if we know
the behavior of one of them, then the behavior of the other can be
obtained using the direct comparison test, provided the following
conditions are satisfied.
If 0 < a
n
s b
n
for all values of n, then
1 1
1. ,
n n
n n
If b converges then a converges

= =

1 1
2. ,
n n
n n
If a diverges then b diverges

= =

Direct Comparison Test
Use direct comparison test to determine the
convergence or divergence of the series
a
n
is the given series.
2
1
1
3 1 n n

= +

We have to identify a series b


n
whose behavior we
know and such that a
n
< b
n
Since the degree of the denominator of a
n
is 2, b
n
also
must be of degree 2.

The obvious choice is

2
1
n
b
n
=
2 2
1 1
3 1 n n
<
+
2
1
1
is a converging -series
n
p
n

2 2
1 1
1 1
converges when compared to
3 1 n n n n

= = +

Use direct comparison test to determine the
convergence or divergence of the series
What is a suitable b
n
to compare a
n
such that a
n
< b
n
The obvious choice is

2
3
n
n
n
b =
2 2
3 5 3
n n
n n
s
+
n
0
2
is a converging geometric series
3 n

=
| |
|
\ .

0 0
2 2
converges when compared to
3 5 3
n
n
n
n n

= =
| |
|
+
\ .

0
2
3 5
n
n
n

= +

2
3 5
n
n
n
a =
+
2
3
n
n
b
| |
=
|
\ .
Use direct comparison test to determine the
convergence or divergence of the series
What is a suitable b
n
to compare a
n
?

The obvious choice is

4
1
n
b
n
=
4 4
1 1
3 1 n n
s

1/ 4
1
1
is a -series with p = 1/4
n
p
n

1/4
4
1 1
1 1
diverges when compared to
3 1
n n n
n

= =


4
1
3 1
n
a
n
=

1/ 4
1
n
b
n
=
4
1
1
3 1
n
n

Since p < 1, this is a diverging p-series.



b
n
< a
n
and b
n
diverges

Use direct comparison test to determine the
convergence or divergence of the series
What is a suitable b
n
to compare a
n
such that a
n
< b
n
The obvious choice is

2
1
n
b
n
=
2
1 1
for 3
!
n
n n
s >
2
1
1
is a converging -series with p >1
n
p
n

2
1 1
1 1
converges when compared to
! n n n n

= =

1
!
n
a
n
=
0
1
! n n

0 1
1 1
1 also converges
! ! n n n n

= =
= +

If a
n
and b
n
are the n
th
terms of two infinite series, and if we know
the behavior of one of them, then the behavior of the other can be
obtained using the limit comparison test.
If a
n
> 0 and b
n
> 0 for all values of n and
n
n
n
a
Lim L
b

=
Limit Comparison Test
where L is finite and positive:
Review:
1
What is ?
n
Lim
n

As n increases, the denominator


grows without bounds.
0
1
n
Lim
n

=
2
2
What is ?
( 1)
n
n
Lim
n n

+
The numerator and the denominator
have the same degree
The limit is the ratio of
the leading coefficient.
2
2 2
(
2
1) 1
n
n
Lim
n n

=
+
=
n n
The two series a and b with both converge or diverge.

Use the limit comparison test to determine the
convergence or divergence of the series
What is a suitable b
n
whose behavior we know.

The obvious choice is

1
n
b
n
=
n
n
n
a
Lim
b

2
1
1
n
a
n
=

2
2
1
1
n
n

2
1
1
1
n
n
Lim
n


=
2
1
n
n
Lim
n

1 =
is a diverging harmonic
series.

This limit is finite
and positive.

n
b

n n
a and b either both converge or diverge.

n n
Since b diverge a diverg s, . es

Use the limit comparison test to determine the
convergence or divergence of the series
What is a suitable b
n
whose behavior we know.

The obvious choice is

1
n
b
n
=
n
n
n
a
Lim
b

2
5 3
2 5
n
n
a
n n

=
+
2
5 3
2 5
1
n
n
n n
Lim
n

+
=
2
(5 3)
2 5
n
n n
Lim
n n

=
+
5 =
is a diverging harmonic
series.

This limit is finite and positive

2
2
5 3
2 5 n
n
n n

n
b

n n
a and b either both converge or diverge.

n n
Since b diverge a diverg s, . es

Use the limit comparison test to determine the
convergence or divergence of the series
What is a suitable b
n
whose behavior we know.

The obvious choice is

1
2
n
n
b =
n
n
n
a
Lim
b

1
( 1)2
n
n
n
a
n

=
+
1
( 1)2
1
2
n
n
n
n
n
Lim

+
=
1
2
2 ( 1)
n
n
n
n
Lim
n


=
+
2 =
1
2 ( 1)2
n
n
n
n

= +

2
( 1)
n
n
Lim
n

=
+
This is a converging geometric series.

This limit is finite and positive

n n
a and b either both converge or diverge.

n n
Since b converge a converg s, . es

Use the limit comparison test to determine the
convergence or divergence of the series
What is a suitable b
n
whose behavior we know.

The obvious choice is

1
n
b
n
=
n
n
n
a
Lim
b

2
1
1
n
a
n n
=
+ +
2
1
1
1
n
n n
Lim
n

+ +
=
2
1
n
n
Lim
n n

=
+ +
1
2
=
This is a diverging harmonic series.

2
1
1
1
n
n n

=
+ +

2
n
n
Lim
n

=
This limit is finite and positive

n n
a and b either both converge or diverge.

n n
Since b diverge a diverg s, . es

1. n
th
Term Test
Review of Tests so far
2. Geometric Series Test
3. Telescopic Series Test
4. Integral Test
5. Direct Comparison Test
6. Limit Comparison Test
Test the convergence or divergence of the
series: of the series
Which of the tests is appropriate in this case?

This is a geometric series with a = 5 and

1
5
r =
1
5
r =
1
5
=
1 <
This is a converging geometric series.

Can you find the sum of this converging
geometric series?

0
1
5
5
n
n

=
| |

|
\ .

Answer:

25
6
Use the limit comparison test to determine the
convergence or divergence of the series
What is a suitable b
n
whose behavior we know.

The obvious choice is

2
1
n
b
n
=
n
n
n
a
Lim
b

2
1
3 2 15
n
a
n n
=

2
2
1
3 2 15
1
n
n n
Lim
n


=
2
2
3 2 15
n
n
Lim
n n

=

1
3
=
is a converging p-series.

This limit is finite and positive.

2
4
1
3 2 15 n n n

Use limit comparison test



n
b

n n
a and b either both converge or diverge.

n n
Since b converge a converg s, . es

Test the convergence or divergence of the
series:
What is an appropriate test in this case?

When you are in doubt, always try the n
th
term test?

2 3
n
n
Lim
n

+
1
2
=
Since the limiting value of the n
th
term is not zero, this series
diverges.

1 2 3 n
n
n

= +

Test the convergence or divergence of the


series: of the series
What is an appropriate test in this case?

Since the corresponding function can be
integrated, we should try integral test.

2 2
( )
( 1)
x
f x
x
=
+
2 2
1 ( 1) n
n
n

= +

The corresponding function is:



2 2
1 ( ) x
x
dx
+
}
x
2
+ 1 = u

2xdx = du

xdx = du/2

2
1
2
u
u
d
=
}
1
2u
=
2
1
2( 1) x
=
+
2 2
1
( 1)
x
dx
x

+
}
2 2
1
lim
( 1)
b
b
x
dx
x

=
+
} 2
1
1
lim
2( 1)
b
b
x

(
=
(
+

2
1 1
2( 1) 2(1 1) b
(
| |
=
( |
+ +
\ .

1
4
=
Since the integral converges,
the series converges.

Test the convergence or divergence of the
series: of the series
What is an appropriate test in this case?

Use partial fractions to simplify

3
( 3) n n +
3
A B
n n
= +
+
Equate the numerator
and denominator.

3 = A(n + 3) + Bn

Setting n = 0 gives:

( 3)
( 3)
A n bn
n n
+ +
=
+
A = 1

1
3
( 3) n n n

= +

Setting n = -3 gives:

B = -1

1
3
( 3) n n n

= +

1
1 1
3 n n n

=
=
+

1
1
4
=
1 1
2 5
+
1 1
3 6
+
1 1
......
4 7
+ +
1 1
1
2 3
= + +
This is a converging
telescopic series.

Given that:
2
2 2
1 3
1 1
,
(2 1) 8 (2 1) n n
find
n n
t

= =
=


2
2
1
1 1 10
1
(2 1) 9 9 n n =
= + =

2
1
1
(2 1) n n

2
2 2
1 3
1 1
(2 1) (2 1) n n

= +


2
2 2 2
3 1 1
1 1 1
(2 1) (2 1) (2 1) n n n n n

= =
=


2
10
8 9
t
=

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