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Lec 36

This document summarizes key concepts about infinite series and convergence tests from a calculus lecture: - A geometric series can be evaluated using a trick where multiplying both sides by the common ratio "a" allows canceling terms to solve for the sum. This only works when the absolute value of "a" is less than 1. - Notation is introduced for infinite series and partial sums. A series converges if the limit of the partial sums exists and is finite. - Integral comparison and limit comparison tests are introduced to determine if series converge or diverge. - Examples are given of conditionally and absolutely convergent series like the harmonic series. - An example is used of building a stack of blocks to illustrate a

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34 views

Lec 36

This document summarizes key concepts about infinite series and convergence tests from a calculus lecture: - A geometric series can be evaluated using a trick where multiplying both sides by the common ratio "a" allows canceling terms to solve for the sum. This only works when the absolute value of "a" is less than 1. - Notation is introduced for infinite series and partial sums. A series converges if the limit of the partial sums exists and is finite. - Integral comparison and limit comparison tests are introduced to determine if series converge or diverge. - Examples are given of conditionally and absolutely convergent series like the harmonic series. - An example is used of building a stack of blocks to illustrate a

Uploaded by

raw.junk
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MIT OpenCourseWare

http://ocw.mit.edu

18.01 Single Variable Calculus


Fall 2006

For information about citing these materials or our Terms of Use, visit: http://ocw.mit.edu/terms.

Lecture 36

18.01 Fall 2006

Lecture 36: Innite Series and Convergence Tests

Innite Series
Geometric Series
A geometric series looks like
1 + a + a2 + a3 + ... = S
Theres a trick to evaluate this: multiply both sides by a:
a + a2 + a3 + ... = aS
Subtracting,
(1 + a + a2 + a3 + ) (a + a2 + a3 + ) = S aS
In other words,
1 = S aS = 1 = (1 a)S = S =

1
1a

This only works when |a| < 1, i.e. 1 < a < 1.


a = 1 cant work:
1 + 1 + 1 + ... =
a = 1 cant work, either:
1 1 + 1 1 + ... =

1
1
=
2
1 (1)

Notation
Here is some notation thats useful for dealing with series or sums. An innite sum is written:

ak = a0 + a1 + a2 + ...

k=0

The nite sum


Sn =

ak = a0 + ... + an

k=0

is called the nth partial sum of the innite series.

Lecture 36

18.01 Fall 2006

Denition

ak = s

k=0

means the same thing as


lim Sn = s, where Sn =

ak

k=0

We say the series converges to s, if the limit exists and is nite. The importance of convergence is
illustrated here by the example of the geometric series. If a = 1, S = 1 + 1 + 1 + ... = . But
S aS = 1 or

=1

does not make sense and is not usable!

Another type of series:

1
p
n
n=1

We can use integrals to decide if this type of series converges. First, turn the sum into an integral:

1
dx

p
n
xp
1
n=1
If that improper integral evaluates to a nite number, the series converges.
Note: This approach only tells us whether or not a series converges. It does not tell us what
number the series converges to. That is a much harder problem. For example, it takes a lot of work
to determine

1
2
=
n2
6
n=1
Mathematicians have only recently been able to determine that

1
3
n
n=1

converges to an irrational number!


Harmonic Series

1
dx

n
x
1
n=1
We can evaluate the improper integral via Riemann sums.
Well use the upper Riemann sum (see Figure 1) to get an upper bound on the value of the
integral.

Lecture 36

18.01 Fall 2006

y=x
1

Figure 1: Upper Riemann Sum.

dx
1
1
1 + + ... +
= sN 1 sN
x
2
N 1

We know that

As N , ln N , so sN

dx
= ln N
x
1
as well. In other words,

1
n
n=1

diverges.
Actually, sN approaches rather slowly. Lets take the lower Riemann sum (see Figure 2).

y=x

Figure 2: Lower Riemann Sum.


sN = 1 +

N
N

1
dx
1
1
1+
= 1 + ln N
+ ... +
=1+
n
x
2
N
1
n=2

Therefore,
ln N < sN < 1 + ln N
3

Lecture 36

18.01 Fall 2006

Integral Comparison
Consider a positive, decreasing function f (x) > 0. (For example, f (x) =

1
)
xp

f (n)
f (x)dx < f (1)

1
n=1

So, either both of the terms converge, or they both diverge. This is what we mean when we say

1
dx

p
n
xp
1
n=1
Therefore,

1
diverges for p 1 and converges for p > 1.
p
n
n=1

Lots of fudge room: in comparison.

2
n + 10

n=1
diverges, because
1
1
1

2 1/2 =
2
n
(n )
n + 10
Limit comparison:

If f (x) g(x) as x , then


f (n) and
g(n) either both converge or both diverge.
What, exactly, does f (x) g(x) mean? It means that
lim

f (x)
=c
g(x)

where 0 < c < .


Lets check: does the following series converge?

5
n 10
n=1
n
n
1

5/2 = n3/2 = 3/2


5
n
n
n 10
Since

3
> 1, this series does converge.
2

Lecture 36

18.01 Fall 2006

Playing with blocks


At this point in the lecture, the professor brings out several long, identical building blocks.
Do you think its possible to stack the blocks like this?

Top block is farther out


than the bottom block.

Figure 3: Collective center of mass of upper blocks is always over the base block.
In order for this to work, you want the collective center of mass of the upper blocks always to be
over the base block.
The professor successfully builds the stack.
Is it possible to extend this stack clear across the room?
The best strategy is to build from the top block down.
Let C0 be the left end of the rst (top) block.
Let C1 = the center of mass of the rst block (top block).
Put the second block as far to the right as possible, namely, so that its left end is at C1 (Figure 4).
Let C2 = the center of mass of the top two blocks.
Strategy: put the left end of the next block underneath the center of mass of all the previous ones
combined. (See Figure 5).

Lecture 36

18.01 Fall 2006

1/2

C0

C1

C2

Figure 4: Stack of 2 Blocks.


2

1
2
3
1/2

1/3

C0

C1

C2 C3

Figure 5: Stack of 3 Blocks. Left end of block 3 is C2 = center of mass of blocks 1 and 2.

C0 = 0

C1 = 1

C2 = 1 +

Cn+1 =

nCn + 1(Cn + 1)
(n + 1)Cn + 1
1

=
= Cn +
n+1
n+1
n + 1

1 1

C3 = 1 + +
2 3

1 1 1

C4 = 1 + + +
2 3 4

1 1 1 1

C5 = 1 + + + + > 2

2 3 4 5

Lecture 36

18.01 Fall 2006

n
n+1 block

center of mass of
the first n blocks

Figure 6: Stack of n + 1 Blocks.


So yes, you can extend this stack as far (horizontally) as you want provided that you have enough
blocks. Another way of looking at this problem is to say
N

1
= SN
n
n=1

Recall the Riemann Sum estimation from the beginning of this lecture:
ln N < SN < (ln N ) + 1
as N , SN .
How high would this stack of blocks be if we extended it across the two lab tables here at the
front of the lecture hall? The blocks are 30 cm by 3 cm (see Figure 7). One lab table is 6.5 blocks,
or 13 units, long. Two tables are 26 units long. There will be 26 2 = 24 units of overhang in the
stack.

3 cm
30 cm

Figure 7: Side view of one block.


If ln N = 24, then N = e24 .
Height = 3 cm e24 8 108 m
That height is roughly twice the distance to the moon.
If you want the stack to span this room ( 30 ft.), it would have to be 1026 meters high. Thats
about the diameter of the observable universe.
7

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