Games
Problems
Go Pro!

The Reciprocal Series

Reference > Mathematics > Slick Math
 

You have a series in which each element sn = 1/(n+1). The question is: does this series converge or diverge? In other words, does it have a finite (convergent) or infinite (divergent) sum? 
 

Solution

The series diverges. This can be seen easily by dividing it into groups as follows:

G1 = 1/2 
G2 = 1/3 + 1/4 
G3 = 1/5 + 1/6 + 1/7 + 1/8 

Each group Gk contains 2k - 1 elements, and each element is greater than or equal to the last element in the group. Thus, the numerical value of each group is greater than (the number of elements in the group) times (the last element in the group).

Thus, for all groups, Gk >= 2k-1*1/2k.

This means the value of each group is greater than or equal to 1/2. Summing an infinite number of values greater than 1/2 results in an infinite value, so the series diverges

Isn't that slick?

Questions

1.
How many terms of the series does it take to add up to more than 1.5?
2.
Does the series sn = 1/(2n-1) converge? How do you know?
3.
Does the series sn = 1/(2n+1) converge? How do you know?
Assign this reference page
Click here to assign this reference page to your students.
From MI to MUFrom MI to MU
The Monty Hall ProblemThe Monty Hall Problem
 

Blogs on This Site

Reviews and book lists - books we love!
The site administrator fields questions from visitors.
Like us on Facebook to get updates about new resources
Home
Pro Membership
About
Privacy