Chapter 5 | Sequences and Series 517

Series or Test Conclusions Comments

Divergence Test If n lim

→∞ n
a = 0, the test This test cannot prove convergence
∞ of a series.
For any series ∑ a n, evaluate is inconclusive.
n=1
lim a .
n→∞ n If n lim
→∞ n
a ≠ 0, the
series diverges.

Geometric Series If |r| < 1, the series Any geometric series can be
∞ reindexed to be written in the form
∑ ar n − 1 converges to
a/(1 − r). a + ar + ar 2 + ⋯, where a is the
n=1
initial term and r is the ratio.

If |r| ≥ 1, the series

diverges.

p-Series If p > 1, the series For p = 1, we have the harmonic

∞
∞
∑ 1
np
converges.
series ∑ 1/n.
n=1
n=1
If p ≤ 1, the series
diverges.

Comparison Test If a n ≤ b n for all n ≥ N Typically used for a series similar to

∞ ∞ a geometric or p -series. It can
For ∑ a n with nonnegative and ∑ b n converges,
n=1 sometimes be difficult to find an
n=1
appropriate series.
terms, compare with a known ∞
∞
then ∑ a n converges.
series ∑ b n. n=1
n=1

If a n ≥ b n for all n ≥ N
∞
and ∑ b n diverges,
n=1
∞
then ∑ a n diverges.
n=1

Limit Comparison Test If L is a real number and Typically used for a series similar to
∞ ∞ a geometric or p -series. Often
For ∑ a n with positive terms, L ≠ 0, then ∑ an
n=1 easier to apply than the comparison
n=1
∞ ∞ test.
compare with a series ∑ bn and ∑ b n both
n=1 n=1
by evaluating converge or both diverge.
an
L = n lim
→ ∞bn
.

Table 5.3 Summary of Convergence Tests

518 Chapter 5 | Sequences and Series

Series or Test Conclusions Comments

∞
If L = 0 and ∑ bn
n=1
∞
converges, then ∑ an
n=1
converges.

∞
If L = ∞ and ∑ bn
n=1
∞
diverges, then ∑ an
n=1
diverges.

Integral Test ∞ ∞ Limited to those series for which the

If there exists a positive, ∫ f (x)dx and ∑ an corresponding function f can be
N n=1
continuous, decreasing function easily integrated.
f such that a n = f (n) for all both converge or both
∞ diverge.
n ≥ N, evaluate ∫ f (x)dx.
N

Alternating Series If b n + 1 ≤ b n for all Only applies to alternating series.

∞ ∞
∑ (−1) n + 1 b n or ∑ (−1) n b n n ≥ 1 and b n → 0, then
n=1 n=1 the series converges.

Ratio Test If 0 ≤ ρ < 1, the series Often used for series involving
∞ factorials or exponentials.
For any series ∑ a n with converges absolutely.
n=1
nonzero terms, let If ρ > 1 or ρ = ∞, the
ρ = n lim
| |
an + 1
→ ∞ an
. series diverges.

If ρ = 1, the test is
inconclusive.

Root Test If 0 ≤ ρ < 1, the series Often used for series where

For any series ∑

∞
a n, let converges absolutely. |a n| = b nn.
n=1
n
ρ= lim a .
n → ∞ | n| If ρ > 1 or ρ = ∞, the
series diverges.

Table 5.3 Summary of Convergence Tests

This OpenStax book is available for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11965/1.2

Chapter 5 | Sequences and Series 519

Series or Test Conclusions Comments

If ρ = 1, the test is
inconclusive.

Table 5.3 Summary of Convergence Tests