Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Alternating Series
The integral test and the comparison test given in previous lectures, apply only
to series with positive terms.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Alternating Series
The integral test and the comparison test given in previous lectures, apply only
to series with positive terms.
P∞ n P∞ n+1
I A series of the form
n=1 (−1) bn or n=1 (−1) bn , where bn > 0 for
all n, is called an alternating series, because the terms alternate between
positive and negative values.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Alternating Series
The integral test and the comparison test given in previous lectures, apply only
to series with positive terms.
P∞ n P∞ n+1
I A series of the form
n=1 (−1) bn or n=1 (−1) bn , where bn > 0 for
all n, is called an alternating series, because the terms alternate between
positive and negative values.
I Example
∞
X (−1)n 1 1 1 1
= −1 + − + − + . . .
n=1
n 2 3 4 5
∞
X n 1 2 3 4
(−1)n+1 = − + − + ...
n=1
2n + 1 3 5 7 9

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Alternating Series
The integral test and the comparison test given in previous lectures, apply only
to series with positive terms.
P∞ n P∞ n+1
I A series of the form
n=1 (−1) bn or n=1 (−1) bn , where bn > 0 for
all n, is called an alternating series, because the terms alternate between
positive and negative values.
I Example
∞
X (−1)n 1 1 1 1
= −1 + − + − + . . .
n=1
n 2 3 4 5
∞
X n 1 2 3 4
(−1)n+1 = − + − + ...
n=1
2n + 1 3 5 7 9
I We can use the divergence test to show that the second series above
diverges, since
n
lim (−1)n+1 does not exist
n→∞ 2n + 1

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Alternating Series test

We have the following test for such alternating series:
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
∞
X
(−1)n−1 bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0
n=1

satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Alternating Series test

We have the following test for such alternating series:
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
∞
X
(−1)n−1 bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0
n=1

satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
I we see from the graph that because the values of bn are decreasing, the
partial sums of the series cluster about some point in the interval [0, b1 ].

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Alternating Series test

We have the following test for such alternating series:
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
∞
X
(−1)n−1 bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0
n=1

satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
I we see from the graph that because the values of bn are decreasing, the
partial sums of the series cluster about some point in the interval [0, b1 ].

I A proof is given at the end of the notes.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series
Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Notes

Alternating Series test If the alternating series

∞
X
(−1)n−1 bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . , bn > 0
n=1

satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then the series converges.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Notes

Alternating Series test If the alternating series

∞
X
(−1)n−1 bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . , bn > 0
n=1

satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then the series converges.

P∞ n
I A similar theorem applies to the series i=1 (−1) bn .

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Notes

Alternating Series test If the alternating series

∞
X
(−1)n−1 bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . , bn > 0
n=1

satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then the series converges.

P∞ n
I A similar theorem applies to the series i=1 (−1) bn .
I Also we really only need bn+1 ≤ bn for all n > N for some N, since a finite
number of terms do not change whether a series converges or not.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Notes

Alternating Series test If the alternating series

∞
X
(−1)n−1 bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . , bn > 0
n=1

satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then the series converges.

P∞ n
I A similar theorem applies to the series i=1 (−1) bn .
I Also we really only need bn+1 ≤ bn for all n > N for some N, since a finite
number of terms do not change whether a series converges or not.
I Recall that if we have a differentiable function f (x), with f (n) = bn , then
we can use its derivative to check if terms are decreasing.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 1
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 1 Test the following series for convergence
∞
X 1
(−1)n
n=1
n

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 1
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 1 Test the following series for convergence
∞
X 1
(−1)n
n=1
n

I We have bn = n1 .

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 1
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 1 Test the following series for convergence
∞
X 1
(−1)n
n=1
n

I We have bn = n1 .
I limn→∞ n1 = 0.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 1
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 1 Test the following series for convergence
∞
X 1
(−1)n
n=1
n

I We have bn = n1 .
I limn→∞ n1 = 0.
1 1
I bn+1 = n+1 < bn = n
for all n ≥ 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 1
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 1 Test the following series for convergence
∞
X 1
(−1)n
n=1
n

I We have bn = n1 .
I limn→∞ n1 = 0.
1 1
I bn+1 = n+1 < bn = n
for all n ≥ 1.
P∞ n1
I Therefore, we can conclude that the alternating series n=1 (−1) n
converges.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 1
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies
(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 1 Test the following series for convergence
∞
X 1
(−1)n
n=1
n

I We have bn = n1 .
I limn→∞ n1 = 0.
1 1
I bn+1 = n+1 < bn = n
for all n ≥ 1.
Therefore, we can conclude that the alternating series ∞ n1
P
n=1 (−1) n
I
converges.
I Note that an alternating series may converge whilst the sum of the
absolute values diverges. In particular the alternating harmonic series
above converges.
Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series
Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 2
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 2 Test the following series for convergence ∞ n n
P
n=1 (−1) n2 +1

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 2
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 2 Test the following series for convergence ∞ n n
P
n=1 (−1) n2 +1
n
I We have bn = n2 +1
.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 2
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 2 Test the following series for convergence ∞ n n
P
n=1 (−1) n2 +1
n
I We have bn = n2 +1
.
n 1/n
I limn→∞ n2 +1
= limn→∞ 1+1/n2
= 0.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 2
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 2 Test the following series for convergence ∞ n n
P
n=1 (−1) n2 +1
n
I We have bn = n2 +1
.
n 1/n
I limn→∞ n2 +1
= limn→∞ 1+1/n2
= 0.
I To check if the terms bn decrease as n increases, we use a derivative. Let
f (x) = x 2x+1 . We have f (n) = bn .

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 2
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 2 Test the following series for convergence ∞ n n
P
n=1 (−1) n2 +1
n
I We have bn = n2 +1
.
n 1/n
I limn→∞ n2 +1
= limn→∞ 1+1/n2
= 0.
I To check if the terms bn decrease as n increases, we use a derivative. Let
f (x) = x 2x+1 . We have f (n) = bn .
(x 2 +1)−x(2x) 1−x 2
I f 0 (x) = (x 2 +1)2
= (x 2 +1)2
< 0 for x > 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 2
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 2 Test the following series for convergence ∞ n n
P
n=1 (−1) n2 +1
n
I We have bn = n2 +1
.
n 1/n
I limn→∞ n2 +1
= limn→∞ 1+1/n2
= 0.
I To check if the terms bn decrease as n increases, we use a derivative. Let
f (x) = x 2x+1 . We have f (n) = bn .
(x 2 +1)−x(2x) 1−x 2
I f 0 (x) = (x 2 +1)2
= (x 2 +1)2
< 0 for x > 1.
I Since this function is decreasing as x increases, for x > 1, we must have
bn+1 < bn for n ≥ 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 2
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
Example 2 Test the following series for convergence ∞ n n
P
n=1 (−1) n2 +1
n
I We have bn = n2 +1
.
n 1/n
I limn→∞ n2 +1
= limn→∞ 1+1/n2
= 0.
I To check if the terms bn decrease as n increases, we use a derivative. Let
f (x) = x 2x+1 . We have f (n) = bn .
(x 2 +1)−x(2x) 1−x 2
I f 0 (x) = (x 2 +1)2
= (x 2 +1)2
< 0 for x > 1.
I Since this function is decreasing as x increases, for x > 1, we must have
bn+1 < bn for n ≥ 1.
Therefore, we can conclude that the alternating series ∞ n n
P
n=1 (−1) n2 +1
I
converges.
Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series
Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 3
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
P∞ n 2n2
Example 3 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2 +1

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 3
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
P∞ n 2n2
Example 3 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2 +1
2n2
I We have bn = n2 +1
.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 3
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
P∞ n 2n2
Example 3 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2 +1
2n2
I We have bn = n2 +1
.
I Here we can use the divergence test (you should always check if this
applies first)

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 3
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
P∞ n 2n2
Example 3 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2 +1
2n2
I We have bn = n2 +1
.
I Here we can use the divergence test (you should always check if this
applies first)
2n2 2
I We have limn→∞ n2 +1
= limn→∞ 1+1/n2
= 2 6= 0.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 3
Alternating Series test If the alternating series
P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then the series converges.
P∞ n 2n2
Example 3 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2 +1
2n2
I We have bn = n2 +1
.
I Here we can use the divergence test (you should always check if this
applies first)
2n2 2
I We have limn→∞ n2 +1
= limn→∞ 1+1/n2
= 2 6= 0.
2
I Therefore limn→∞ (−1)n n2n
2 +1 does not exist and we can conclude that the
series
∞
X 2n2
(−1)n 2
n=1
n +1
diverges.
Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series
Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 4

Alternating Series test If the alternating series

P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then the series converges. P∞ n 1

Example 4 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n!

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 4

Alternating Series test If the alternating series

P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then the series converges. P∞ n 1

Example 4 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n!
1
I We have bn = n!
.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 4

Alternating Series test If the alternating series

P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then the series converges. P∞ n 1

Example 4 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n!
1
I We have bn = n!
.
1
I Since 0 ≤ bn = n·(n−1)·(n−2)·····1
≤ n1 , we must have limn→∞ 1
n!
= 0.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 4

Alternating Series test If the alternating series

P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then the series converges. P∞ n 1

Example 4 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n!
1
I We have bn = n!
.
1
I Since 0 ≤ bn = n·(n−1)·(n−2)·····1
≤ n1 , we must have limn→∞ 1
n!
= 0.
1 1 1 1
I bn+1 = (n+1)·n·(n−1)·(n−2)·····1
= (n+1)
· n·(n−1)·(n−2)·····1
= n+1
· bn < bn if
n > 1.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 4

Alternating Series test If the alternating series

P ∞ n−1
n=1 (−1) bn = b1 − b2 + b3 − b4 + . . . bn > 0 satisfies

(i) bn+1 ≤ bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then the series converges. P∞ n 1

Example 4 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n!
1
I We have bn = n!
.
1
I Since 0 ≤ bn = n·(n−1)·(n−2)·····1
≤ n1 , we must have limn→∞ 1
n!
= 0.
1 1 1 1
I bn+1 = (n+1)·n·(n−1)·(n−2)·····1
= (n+1)
· n·(n−1)·(n−2)·····1
= n+1
· bn < bn if
n > 1.
I Therefore
P∞ by the Alternating series test, we can conclude that the series
n 1
n=1 (−1) n! converges.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 5

P∞ n ln n
Example 5 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 5

P∞ n ln n
Example 5 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2
ln n
I We have bn = n2
.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 5

P∞ n ln n
Example 5 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2
ln n
I We have bn = n2
.
1/x
I limn→∞ ln n
n2
= limx→∞ ln x
x2
= (L0 Hop) limx→∞ 2x
= limx→∞ 1
2x 2
= 0.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 5

P∞ n ln n
Example 5 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2
ln n
I We have bn = n2
.
1/x
I limn→∞ ln n
n2
= limx→∞ ln x
x2
= (L0 Hop) limx→∞ 2x
= limx→∞ 1
2x 2
= 0.
I To check if bn is decreasing as n increases, we calculate the derivative of
f (x) = lnx 2x .

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 5

P∞ n ln n
Example 5 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2
ln n
I We have bn = n2
.
1/x
I limn→∞ ln n
n2
= limx→∞ ln x
x2
= (L0 Hop) limx→∞ 2x
= limx→∞ 1
2x 2
= 0.
I To check if bn is decreasing as n increases, we calculate the derivative of
f (x) = lnx 2x .
2
I f 0 (x) = (x )(1/x)−2x
x2
ln x
= x−2x
x2
ln x
= x(1−2
√ x2
ln x)
< 0 if 1 − 2 ln x < 0 or
ln x > 1/2. This happens if x > e, which certainly happens if x ≥ 2.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 5

P∞ n ln n
Example 5 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) n2
ln n
I We have bn = n2
.
1/x
I limn→∞ ln n
n2
= limx→∞ ln x
x2
= (L0 Hop) limx→∞ 2x
= limx→∞ 1
2x 2
= 0.
I To check if bn is decreasing as n increases, we calculate the derivative of
f (x) = lnx 2x .
2
I f 0 (x) = (x )(1/x)−2x
x2
ln x
= x−2x
x2
ln x
= x(1−2
√ x2
ln x)
< 0 if 1 − 2 ln x < 0 or
ln x > 1/2. This happens if x > e, which certainly happens if x ≥ 2.
This is enough to show that bn+1 < bn if n ≥ 2 and hence ∞ n ln n
P
n=1 (−1) n2
I
converges.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 6

P∞ “ ”
n π
Example 6 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) cos n

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 6

P∞ “ ”
n π
Example 6 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) cos n
“ ”
I We have bn = cos π . bn > 0 for n ≥ 2.
n

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 6

P∞ “ ”
n π
Example 6 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) cos n
“ ”
I We have bn = cos π . bn > 0 for n ≥ 2.
n
“ ” “ ”
π
I limn→∞ cos
n
= limx→∞ cos πx = 1 6= 0.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example 6

P∞ “ ”
n π
Example 6 Test the following series for convergence: n=1 (−1) cos n
“ ”
π
I We have bn = cos
n
. bn > 0 for n ≥ 2.
“ ” “ ”
I limn→∞ cos π = limx→∞ cos π = 1 6= 0.
n x
“ ”
I Therefore limn→∞ (−1)n cos π does not exist and the series
n
P∞ “ ”
n π
n=1 (−1) cos n diverges by the divergence test.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Error of Estimation
Estimating the Error
P∞ n−1
Suppose i=1 (−1) bn , bn > 0, converges to s. Recall that we can use the
partial sum sn = b1 − b2 + · · · + (−1)n−1 bn to estimate the sum of the series, s.
If the series satisfies the conditions for the Alternating series test, we have the
following simple estimate of the size of the error in our approximation
|Rn | = |s − sn |.
(Rn here stands for the remainder when we subtract the n th partial sum from
the sum of the series. )
Alternating Series Estimation Theorem If s = (−1)n−1 bn , bn > 0 is the
P
sum of an alternating series that satisfies

(i) bn+1 < bn for all n

(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞

then
|Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 .
A proof is included at the end of the notes.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example
(−1)n−1 bn , bn > 0 is the
P
Alternating Series Estimation Theorem If s =
sum of an alternating series that satisfies
(i) bn+1 < bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then
|Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 .
P∞ n1
Example Find a partial sum approximation the sum of the series n=1 (−1) n
where the error of approximation is less than .01 = 10−2 .

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example
(−1)n−1 bn , bn > 0 is the
P
Alternating Series Estimation Theorem If s =
sum of an alternating series that satisfies
(i) bn+1 < bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then
|Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 .
Example Find a partial sum approximation the sum of the series ∞ n1
P
n=1 (−1) n
where the error of approximation is less than .01 = 10−2 .
I We have bn = 1 . bn > 0 for n ≥ 1 and we have already seen that the
n
conditions of the alternating series test are satisfied in a previous example.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example
(−1)n−1 bn , bn > 0 is the
P
Alternating Series Estimation Theorem If s =
sum of an alternating series that satisfies
(i) bn+1 < bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then
|Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 .
Example Find a partial sum approximation the sum of the series ∞ n1
P
n=1 (−1) n
where the error of approximation is less than .01 = 10−2 .
I We have bn = 1 . bn > 0 for n ≥ 1 and we have already seen that the
n
conditions of the alternating series test are satisfied in a previous example.
I Therefore the n th remainder, |Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 = 1 .
n+1

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example
(−1)n−1 bn , bn > 0 is the
P
Alternating Series Estimation Theorem If s =
sum of an alternating series that satisfies
(i) bn+1 < bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then
|Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 .
Example Find a partial sum approximation the sum of the series ∞ n1
P
n=1 (−1) n
where the error of approximation is less than .01 = 10−2 .
I We have bn = 1 . bn > 0 for n ≥ 1 and we have already seen that the
n
conditions of the alternating series test are satisfied in a previous example.
I Therefore the n th remainder, |Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 = 1 .
n+1

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example
(−1)n−1 bn , bn > 0 is the
P
Alternating Series Estimation Theorem If s =
sum of an alternating series that satisfies
(i) bn+1 < bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then
|Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 .
Example Find a partial sum approximation the sum of the series ∞ n1
P
n=1 (−1) n
where the error of approximation is less than .01 = 10−2 .
I We have bn = 1 . bn > 0 for n ≥ 1 and we have already seen that the
n
conditions of the alternating series test are satisfied in a previous example.
I Therefore the n th remainder, |Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 = 1 .
n+1

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example
(−1)n−1 bn , bn > 0 is the
P
Alternating Series Estimation Theorem If s =
sum of an alternating series that satisfies
(i) bn+1 < bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then
|Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 .
Example Find a partial sum approximation the sum of the series ∞ n1
P
n=1 (−1) n
where the error of approximation is less than .01 = 10−2 .
I We have bn = 1 . bn > 0 for n ≥ 1 and we have already seen that the
n
conditions of the alternating series test are satisfied in a previous example.
I Therefore the n th remainder, |Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 = 1 .
n+1
1 1
I Therefore, if we find a value of n for which n+1
≤ 102
, we will have the
error of approximation Rn ≤ 1012 .

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example
(−1)n−1 bn , bn > 0 is the
P
Alternating Series Estimation Theorem If s =
sum of an alternating series that satisfies
(i) bn+1 < bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then
|Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 .
Example Find a partial sum approximation the sum of the series ∞ n1
P
n=1 (−1) n
where the error of approximation is less than .01 = 10−2 .
I We have bn = 1 . bn > 0 for n ≥ 1 and we have already seen that the
n
conditions of the alternating series test are satisfied in a previous example.
I Therefore the n th remainder, |Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 = 1 .
n+1
1 1
I Therefore, if we find a value of n for which n+1
≤ 102
, we will have the
error of approximation Rn ≤ 1012 .
I 1
n+1
≤ 1
102
if 102 ≤ n + 1 or n ≥ 101.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series

Alternating Series Alternating Series test Notes Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Error of Estimation

Example
(−1)n−1 bn , bn > 0 is the
P
Alternating Series Estimation Theorem If s =
sum of an alternating series that satisfies
(i) bn+1 < bn for all n
(ii) lim bn = 0
n→∞
then
|Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 .
Example Find a partial sum approximation the sum of the series ∞ n1
P
n=1 (−1) n
where the error of approximation is less than .01 = 10−2 .
I We have bn = 1 . bn > 0 for n ≥ 1 and we have already seen that the
n
conditions of the alternating series test are satisfied in a previous example.
I Therefore the n th remainder, |Rn | = |s − sn | ≤ bn+1 = 1 .
n+1
1 1
I Therefore, if we find a value of n for which n+1
≤ 102
, we will have the
error of approximation Rn ≤ 1012 .
I 1
n+1
≤ 1012 if 102 ≤ n + 1 or n ≥ 101.
I Checking
Pwith Mathematica,
P101 we get the actual error
R101 = ∞ n=1 (−1) n1
n
− n=1 (−1)n1
n
= 0.00492599 which is indeed less
than .01.
Annette Pilkington Lecture 27 :Alternating Series