7.

3 Geometric Series
In a geometric series, each term in the sum is obtained from the previous term by multiplying by r.
1
X
ark 1
= a + ar + ar2 + . . . + arn 1
+ ...
k=1

Lets figure out for which values of r the geometric series converges.
Recall that sn = a1 + a2 + a3 + . . . + an is the nth partial sum.
If r = 1, we have sn = a + a + a + a + . . . + a = na.
X1
Since lim sn = lim na = 1, then the geometric series ark 1 diverges for r = 1.
n!1 n!1
k=1
Now if r 6= 1, we have

sn = a + ar + ar2 + ar3 + . . . + arn 1

Multiplying both sides by r and shifting terms one space to the right:

rsn = ar + ar2 + ar3 + . . . + arn 1

+ arn

Subtracting the second equation from the first we obtain

(1 r)sn = a arn

a(1 rn )
Solving for sn gives sn = .
1 r
Now, if r > 1, then lim rn = 1 and if r < 1, then lim rn does not exist, so for |r| > 1, lim sn does
n!1 n!1 n!1
X 1
not exists and the geometric series ark 1 diverges for |r| > 1.
k=1
n a(1 rn ) a(1 0) a
If |r| < 1, then lim r = 0, so lim sn = = = and so the geometric series
n!1 n!1 1 r 1 r 1 r
a
converges to when |r| < 1.
1 r
1
X X1
k 1
Note that the two geometric series ar and ark are identical since they both produce the
k=1 k=0
sum ar0 + ar1 + ar2 + ar3 + . . ..

Examples of Geometric Series

1. Determine which of the following geometric series are convergent and then find the limit.
X1 1
X 1
X
1 4n 4 2n 4n+1
(a) (b) 3 5 (c)
n=1
3n n=1 n=0
5n
1
X 1
X
In each case we need to rewrite the given series in the form arn OR arn 1
to identify
n=0 n=1
the values of a and r.

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 (a) We choose to keep the index starting at n = 1 and try to identify an rn 1 in our expression.
X1 X1 n 1
1 1 1 1 1 1
This gives n
= . Now we can see that a = and r = . Since < 1,
n=1
3 n=1
3 3 3 3 3
1
a 3 1 3 1
this geometric series converges and has sum = 1 = = .
1 r 1 3 3 2 2
(b) Again we need to identify a and r so we will keep the n = 1 in the summation, and
X1 X1
n 1 4n 4 2n (34 )n 54
try to identify an r in the expression. This gives 3 5 = =
n=1 n=1
52n
X1 4 n X1 4 4 n 1
4 3 4 3 3 54 34
5 2
= 5 2 2
. Now we can see that a = 2
= 52 34 and
n=1
5 n=1
5 5 5
34 81 81
r = 2 = . Since > 1, the given geometric series diverges.
5 25 25
(c) Here we will keep the index starting at n = 0 and try to identify an rn in our expression.
X1 X1 X1 n
4n+1 4n 4 4 4
This gives n
= 4 n = 4 . Here a = 4 and r = . Since < 1, the
n=0
5 n=0
5 n=0
5 5 5
4
sum converges to = 4 5 = 20.
1 45
1
X
2. For which values of x does (x 2)n converge?
n=0
We know that a geometric series converges when |r| < 1. Here, r = x 2, so the series converges
for |x 2| < 1 or 1 < x 2 < 1 or 1 < x < 3.

7.3.1 Test for Divergence

1
X
If lim an 6= 0 then an is Divergent.
n!1
n=1

Proof
1
X
We will prove the contrapositive statement: If an is convergent, then lim an = 0.
n!1
n=1
Let sn = a1 + a2 + . . . + an 1 + an .
Then sn 1 = a1 + a2 + . . . + an 1 .
Thus, sn sn 1 = anP .
Since we know that an is convergent, then lim sn exists. Let s = lim sn = lim sn 1 .
n!1 n!1 n!1

lim an = lim (sn sn 1 )

n!1 n!1
= lim sn lim sn 1
n!1 n!1
= s s
= 0

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 1
X
Be Careful: Converse is NOT true. If lim an = 0, then series an may or may not converge. For
n!1
n=1
X1 X1
1 1
example, next week will will see that diverges but converges.
n=1
n n=1 P
n2
We can use the Test for Divergence to show that a given series an diverges by showing lim an 6= 0.
n!1

Example
1
X n2
Use the Test for Divergence to show that diverges.
n=1
5n2 + 4
Note that we are not taking the limit of the nth partial sum here. We are taking the limit of the
nth term of the sequence.
n2
n2 n2 1 1
lim = lim 5n2 +4
= lim 4 = 6= 0
n!1 5n2 + 4 n!1 n!1 5 + n2 5
n2

1
X n2
Thus, the series 2+4
diverges.
n=1
5n
In other words, in order for a series to have a chance at converging, eventually the terms in the
sequence that are getting added together must approach 0. In our example, eventually the terms are
1 1 1 1
approaching . So ultimately, we end up adding + + + . . . forever and this will continue to
5 5 5 5
grow as a sum to infinity.

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