Monday 28 April 2014

`sum_(n=1)^oo (-1)^n/3^n` Determine the convergence or divergence of the series.

To determine the convergence or divergence of the series `sum_(n=1)^oo (-1)^n/3^n` , we may apply the Ratio Test.


In Ratio test, we determine the limit as:


`lim_(n-gtoo)|a_(n+1)/a_n| = L`


 Then, we follow the conditions:


a) `L lt1` then the series converges absolutely


b) `Lgt1` then the series diverges


c) `L=1` or does not exist  then the test is inconclusive.The series may be divergent, conditionally convergent, or absolutely convergent.


For the given series `sum_(n=1)^oo (-1)^n/3^n`...

To determine the convergence or divergence of the series `sum_(n=1)^oo (-1)^n/3^n` , we may apply the Ratio Test.


In Ratio test, we determine the limit as:


`lim_(n-gtoo)|a_(n+1)/a_n| = L`


 Then, we follow the conditions:


a) `L lt1` then the series converges absolutely


b) `Lgt1` then the series diverges


c) `L=1` or does not exist  then the test is inconclusive.The series may be divergent, conditionally convergent, or absolutely convergent.


For the given series `sum_(n=1)^oo (-1)^n/3^n` , we have `a_n =(-1)^n/3^n` .


 Then, `a_(n+1) =(-1)^(n+1)/3^(n+1)` .


We set up the limit as:


`lim_(n-gtoo) | [(-1)^(n+1)/3^(n+1)]/[(-1)^n/3^n]|`


 To simplify the function, we flip the bottom and proceed to multiplication:


`| [(-1)^(n+1)/3^(n+1)]/[(-1)^n/3^n]| =| (-1)^(n+1)/3^(n+1) *3^n/(-1)^n|`


Apply the Law of Exponent: `x^(n+m) = x^n*x^m` . It becomes:


`| ((-1)^n (-1)^1)/(3^n *3^1)*3^n/(-1)^n|`


Cancel out common factors `(-1)^n` and `(3^n)` .


`| (-1)^1/ 3^1 |`


Simplify:


`| (-1)^1/ 3^1 | =| (-1)/ 3 |`


          ` = |-1/3| `


          ` =1/3`


Applying ` |[(-1)^(n+1)/3^(n+1)]/[(-1)^n/3^n]|= 1/3` , we get:


`lim_(n-gtoo) | [(-1)^(n+1)/3^(n+1)]/[(-1)^n/3^n]|=lim_(n-gtoo) 1/3 `


`lim_(n-gtoo) 1/3 = 1/3 `        


 The limit value `L=1/3` satisfies the condition: `L lt1` .


 Therefore, the series converges absolutely.

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