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Infinite Series
[D’Alembert’s Ratio Test]
Prepared by:
Dr. Sunil
NIT Hamirpur (HP)
(Last updated on 31-12-2010)
Latest update available at: http://www.freewebs.com/sunilnit/
u n 1
Lim
n u n
k , then un
(i) converges if k 1 and
(ii) diverges if k 1 .
This test fails when limit does not exist or equal to 1.
u n 1
Here measures the rate or growth of the terms of the series.
un
Note: This test was developed by Jean Le-Rond D’Alembert (16 November 1717 – 29 October 1783) a
French Mathematician.
Proof: Let the series from and after the particular term be
u1 u 2 .................. u n ..............
Case I: When k 1 .
Then by definition of limit, a positive number k 1 can be found s.t.
u n 1
n
un
Infinite Series: D’Alembert’s Ratio Test Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur 2
u2 u u
, 3 , 4 ,......... .........., and so on .
u1 u2 u3
Now Sn u1 u 2 .................. u n 1 u n
u u u
u11 2 3 .............. n
u1 u1 u1
u u u
u11 2 3 . 2 .................
u1 u 2 u1
u1 1 2 .................n 1 u1
1 n
1
1 n u
Lim S n Lim u 1 1 , a finite quantity 1 u n is convergent.
n n 1 1
Case II: When k 1 .
u n 1
Then, by definition of limit, 1
un
u2 u u
1 , 3 1 , 4 1,..................., and so on .
u1 u2 u3
Now Sn u1 u 2 .................. u n 1 u n
u u u
u11 2 3 .............. n
u1 u1 u1
u u u
u11 2 3 . 2 .................
u1 u 2 u1
u1 1 1 1 .................1 nu1
1 u n 1 n
Also for the divergent series, n :
n 1
Lim
n un
Lim
n 1 n
1
Thus ratio test cannot be used to distinguish between convergent and divergent series
when k = 1
Now let us examine the behavior of the following infinite series:
n!
Q.No.1.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series nn .
n! (n 1)!
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
n n
(n 1)( n 1)
u n 1 (n 1)! nn
Lim Lim
n u n n ( n 1) ( n 1) n!
nn 1 1
Lim n
Lim n
1 . [since e=2.71828...]
n ( n 1) n 1 e
1
n
2p 3p 4p
Q.No.2.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series 1 ...... .
2! 3! 4!
np ( n 1) p
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
n! ( n 1)!
p
u n 1 (n 1) p n! 1 1
Lim Lim p Lim 1 . 1p .0 0 1 .
n u n n (n 1)! n n n ( n 1)
x x 2 x3 x 4
Q.No.3.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series ... ( x 0) .
1.2 3.4 5.6 7.8
xn x n 1
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
(2n 1)(2n ) (2n 1)(2n 2)
1
2 ( 2)
u n 1 n
Lim Lim .x x .
n u n n 1 2
2 2
n n
Infinite Series: D’Alembert’s Ratio Test Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur 4
1 x2 x4
Q.No.4.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series ......... .
2 1 3 2 4 3
x 2n 2 x 2n
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
(n 1) n (n 2) n 1
1
2n n 1
u n 1 x (n 1) n n n
Lim Lim 2 n 2
Lim x2 x2 .
n u n n ( n 2) n 1 x n 2 1
n 1 n 1
n n
1 1
But vn n3 / 2 n p ( here p = 3/2 > 1) is convergent. [by p-series test]
u n 1 x n 1 (2n )! x
Lim Lim n Lim 0 1.
n u n n ( 2 n 2)! x n ( 2n 2)( 2n 1)
n!2n
Q.No.6.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series nn
.
n!2 n (n 1)!2n 1
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
nn (n 1) n 1
u n 1 (n 1)!2n 1 n n nn 2 2
Lim Lim n 1
n
Lim 2 . n 1
Lim n
1 .
n u n n ( n 1) n!2 n ( n 1) n 1 e
1
n
Hence un is convergent (by D’Alembert’s Ratio Test).
q
1
2
1
3
q
log n 1 n n ...... 1 1 1
log n ......
n 2 3 n 2n 2 3n 3
= x x
log n
log n
q
u 1 1 1
Lim n 1 Lim x 1 2 3 ...... x
n u n n
n log n 2n log n 3n log n
Case 1: The given series is convergent if x 1 .
Case 2: The given series is divergent if x 1 .
1
1 12 1 12 13 1 ......
1 12 1 12 13 1
(i) converges if and
(ii) diverges if .
Case 3: When = 1 i.e. when . In that case, nth term is given by
un
12 13 1......n 1 1
12 13 1......n 1
Lim u n 1 0 .
n
xn x n 1
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
n! (n 1)!
u n 1 x n 1 n! x
Now Lim Lim n Lim 0 1.
n u n n ( n 1)! x n n 1
n 1 n2
Sol.: Here u n .x n and u n 1 .x n 1 .
n 3
(n 1)3
u n 1 n 2 n 1 n 3 1
Now Lim Lim .x . x.
n u n n ( n 1)3 n 1 xn
1 1
But vn n 2 n p ( here p 2 1 ) is convergent. [by p-series test]
n n 1
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
3n 3n 1
u n 1 n 1 3n 1 1 1
Now Lim Lim n 1 Lim 1 1 .
n u n n 3 n n 3 n 3
n2 (n 1) 2
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
3n 3n 1
2
u n 1 (n 1) 2 3n 1 1 1
Now Lim Lim n 1 2 Lim 1 1 .
n u n n 3 n n 3 n 3
1 1 1
Q.No.13.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series 1 ...... .
2 3 4
1
Sol.: Here u n . The given series is divergent (here p 1 ). [by p-series test]
n
Or
[2nd method]
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Let S 1 ...... .= 1 ...... .
2 3 4 5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1
, ... ... and so on.
3 4 4 4 2 5 6 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 2
1 1 1
S 1 ...... .
2 2 2
Infinite Series: D’Alembert’s Ratio Test Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur 9
The series, on the RHS (ignoring the Ist term) is a geometric series with common ratio
unity, hence divergent, by geometric series test.
Hence, the given series is divergent.
1 1 1 1
Q.No.14.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series ...... .....
1! 2! 3! n!
1 1
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
n! n 1!
u n 1 n! 1
Now Lim Lim Lim 0 1.
n u n n n 1! n n 1
2n 1 2n 1 1
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
3n 1 3n 1 1
u n 1 2 n 1 1 3n 1
Now Lim Lim n 1 n
n u n n 3 1 2 1
1 1
2 1
2n 2 n 3n 3n 2
Lim 1.
n
3n 1 2n 1 3
3 n 1
3 2n
Hence, the given series u n is convergent. [by D’Alembert’s ratio test].
x x 2 x3 x 4
Q.No.16.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series ... ( x 0) .
1.2 2.3 3.4 4.5
xn x n 1
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
n (n 1) (n 1)(n 2)
u n 1 x n 1 n (n 1) n 1
Lim Lim n
Lim x. Lim x. x.
n u n n ( n 1)(n 2) x n ( n 2) n 2
1
n
Case 1: The given series is convergent if x 1 .
Infinite Series: D’Alembert’s Ratio Test Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur10
un n2 1
Lim Lim Lim 1 (a finite non-zero number) .
n v n n n ( n 1) n 1
1
n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series u n and vn converges or diverges
2 6 2 n 2 n 1
Q.No.17.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series 1 x x 2 .... n x ...
5 9 2 1
( x 0 ).
2n 2 2n 1 2
Sol.: Here u n n
x n 1 and so u n 1 n 1
xn .
2 1 2 1
2 1
n 1 n 2 n 2 n 2 n 1 n
u n 1 2 2 n 2 1 1
Lim Lim n 1 x n . Lim 2 . 2 .x x .
n u n n 2 1 2 2 x n 1 n n 1 2
2 2 n 2 n 1 n
2 2
Case 1: The given series is convergent if x 1 .
Case 2: The given series is divergent if x 1 .
2n 2
Case 3: When x = 1, then u n .
2n 1
2
n 2 n 1 n
2 2
Lim u n Lim n Lim 2 1 0
n n 2 1 n n 1
2 1 n
2
Hence the given series is divergent when x = 1 .[by nth term test]
Hence the given series converges if x 1 diverges if x 1 .
Infinite Series: D’Alembert’s Ratio Test Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur11
n 1 n 1x
Q.No.18.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series 4 4 n
, ( x 0 ).
n 2
un n4 1 n 1
4
n 1 n 1 .x
4 4
n
=
2
.x n .
n 1 n 1
4 4
n 1 n 1
4 4
2
and so u n 1 .x n 1
n 1 4
1 n 1 4
1
u n 1 n4 1 n4 1
Lim Lim .x x
n u n n
n 1 4
1 n 1 4
1
1 un 2 2
Take v n 2
. Lim Lim 1 (a non-zero, finite number)
n n v n n 1 1 2
1 1
n4 n4
.
Thus, by comparison test, both the series u n and vn converges or diverges
1 1 / 3
Sol.: Here u n n 11 / 3 n1 / 3 x n n1 / 3 1 1 x n
n
Infinite Series: D’Alembert’s Ratio Test Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur12
11
1 1 1
1 / 3 33 1
n 1 . ... 1 x n
3 n 2! n 2
1 1 1 1
u n n1 / 3 2 ...... x n n 2 / 3 ...... x n
3n 9n 3 9n
1 1
and so u n 1 (n 1) 2 / 3 ...... x n 1
3 9(n 1)
1 1 1
n 2 / 3 1 ...
u n 1 n 3 9(n 1) .x x
Lim Lim
n u n n 1 1
n2 / 3 ......
3 9n
Case 1: The given series is convergent if x 1 .
Case 2: The given series is divergent if x 1 .
Case 3: When x = 1. Then
11
1 1/ 3 1
1 / 3 1 1 3 3 1
u n n 11 / 3 n1 / 3 n1 / 3 1 1 n 1 . ...... 1
n 3 n 2! n 2
1 1 1
u n n1 / 3 2 ...... . Take v n 2 / 3 .
3n 9n n
un 1 1 1
Lim Lim ...... (a non-zero, finite number) .
n v n n 3 9n 3
xn x n 1
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
n (n 1) ( n 1)(n 2)
u n 1 x n 1 n (n 1) n 1
Now Lim Lim n
Lim .x Lim x x.
n u n n ( n 1)(n 2) x n n 2 n 2
1
n
Case 1: The given series is convergent if x 1 .
Case 2: The given series is divergent if x 1 .
1
Case 3: When x = 1. Then u n
n (n 1)
1 un 1
Let v n . Lim Lim 1 (a finite, non-zero number) .
n 2 n v n n 1
1
n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series u n and vn converges or diverges
1 x2 x4
Q.No.21.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series ......... .
2 1 3 2 4 3
x 2n 2 x 2n
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
(n 1) n (n 2) n 1
1
2n n 1
u n 1 x (n 1) n n n
Lim Lim Lim x2 x2 .
n u n n ( n 2) n 1 x 2n 2 n
n 1
2 1
n 1
n n
un 1
Lim Lim 1 (a finite non-zero number) .
n v n n 1
1
n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series u n and vn converges or diverges together,
u n 1 n 2 n 1 n 2 1
Now Lim Lim .x . x.
n u n n ( n 1) 2 n 1 xn
1
n 2 1
u
Lim n Lim 2 1 (a finite non-zero number) .
n
n v n n n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series u n and vn converges or diverges together,
or in other words, both the series behave alike.
1 1
But vn n n p (here p = 1) is divergent. [by p-series test]
x 2 x3 x 4
Q.No.23.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series x ..... , ( x 0 ).
2 3 4
xn x n 1
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
n (n 1)
u n 1 x n 1 n n
Now Lim Lim n Lim .x x .
n u n n ( n 1) x n n 1
1 3 5 7
Q.No.24.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series .....
1! 2! 3! 4!
2n 1 2n 1
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
n! (n 1)!
1
n 2
u n 1 2n 1 n! n
Now Lim Lim Lim 0 1.
n u n n ( n 1)! 2n 1 n 1
n1 (2n 1)
n
x 2 x3
Sol.: Now e x 1 x ......
2! 3!
xn x n 1
Here u n and u n 1 . (by ignoring the first term)
n! (n 1)!
u n 1 x n 1 n! x
Now Lim Lim n Lim 0 1.
n u n n (n 1)! x n n 1
n3 1
Q.No.26.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series nn 1 .
n3 1 (n 1)3 1
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 . Now
nn 1 (n 1) n 1 1
1 3 1
n 3 1 3 1
n n n 1
u 3
(n 1) 1 n 1 n
n
nn 0 1
Lim n 1 Lim n 1
3 Lim
n u n n ( n 1) 1 n 1 n n 1
n
1 3 1
n n 11 n n 1
n n n3
n
Q.No.27.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series 2
x n , ( x 0 ).
n 1
n n 1
Sol.: Here u n .x n and u n 1 .x n 1 .
2
n 1 n 1 2
1
u n 1 n 1 n2 1 1
Now Lim Lim x n 1 . n x.
n u n n
n 12 1 n x
n 1
Case 3: When x = 1. Then u n . Take v n .
n2 1 n
un n n
Lim Lim . 1 (a finite non-zero number) .
n v n n n 2 1 1
n!
Q.No.28.: Examine the behaviour of the infinite series 3n .
n 1
n! (n 1)!
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
n
3 3n 1
u n 1 (n 1)! 3n 1
Now Lim Lim n 1 Lim n 1 .
n u n n 3 n! n 3
3 4 5
Q.No.29.: Find whether the series 2 x x 2 x 3 ...... , ( x 0 ).
2 3 4
is convergent or divergent for positive values of x .
n 1 n 1 n2 n
Sol.: Here u n .x and u n 1 .x
n n 1
2
n 2 1
u n 1 n2 n n 1 n .x x .
Now Lim Lim x . n 1 Lim 2
n u n n n 1 n 1 x n
2 1
n 1
n
Case 1: The given series is convergent if x 1 . [by D’Alembert’s ratio test]
1 x x2 x3 x n 1
...... n 2 ... ( x 0 ).
3 36 243 1296 3 .n
x n 1 xn
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
3n.n 2 3n 1.(n 1) 2
u n 1 xn 3n.n 2 n 2 .x x
Now Lim Lim n 1 n 1 Lim .
n u n n 3 .(n 1) 2 x n 1
2 3
3n 2 1
n
x
Case 1: The given series is convergent if 1 i.e. if x 3 [by D’Alembert’s ratio test]
3
x
Case 2: The given series is divergent if 1 i.e. x 3 .
3
3n 1 1 1
Case 3: When x = 3, then u n . Take v n
3n.n 2 3n 2
n2
un 1 n2 1
Lim Lim 2 (a non-zero, finite number) .
n v n n 3n 1 3
1
n 1
Lim
u n 1
Lim
n 1x n 1
.x Lim
n 1 .x Lim n .x x .
n u n n nx n n n n n
Case 1: The given series is convergent if x 1 .
Case 2: The given series is divergent if x 1 .
Case 3: When x = 1. u n n .
Infinite Series: D’Alembert’s Ratio Test Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur19
u n 1 2 3 4 ....... .
n n 1
Here Sn 1 2 3 4 ....... n .
2
Taking limit on both sides, we get
n n 1
Lim Sn Lim .
n n 2
Hence un is also divergent when x = 1 .
x x 2 x3 xn
1 ...... 2 ......... . ( x 0 ).
2 5 10 n 1
xn x n 1
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
n2 1 n 12 1
1
n 1 2 1 2
u n 1 x n 1
Lim Lim . n Lim n2 .x x
n u n n x 1 1 x
2 n 1 1
1 2
n n
Case 1: The given series is convergent if x 1 .
Case 2: The given series is divergent if x 1 .
Case 3: When x = 1. This test fails.
1 1
un 2
. Let v n .
n 1 n2
un 1
Lim Lim 1 (a finite, non-zero number) .
n v n n 1
1 2
n
Thus, by comparison test, both the series un and vn converges or diverges
1 2 3
Q.No.33.: Examine the behaviour of the infinite series 2
...... .
1 2 1 2 1 23
( x 0 ).
n n 1
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
1 2 n
1 2 n 1
1
n 1 2
un n 1 2 1 2 n
Lim Lim . Lim . 2 1.
n u n 1 n 1 2 n n 1 n 1 1
1 n 1
n 2
Hence un is convergent (by D’Alembert’s ratio test).
n2 1
Q.No.34.: Examine the behaviour of the infinite series .
2n n 2
n 1
n2 1 2
Sol.: Let S n 1 S1 S2 .
2n n 2 n 2
n 1 n 1 2 n 1 n
n2 1
Where S1 2 n
and S2 n2
.
n 1 n 1
For S1 , u n
n2
and u n 1
n 12
.
2n 2 n 1
u n 1 2n n 12
Lim Lim 2 . n 1
n u n n n 2
2
u n 1 1 1 1
Lim = Lim 1 . 1 .
n u n n n 2 2
Sol.: u n
n3 a
and u n 1
n 13 a
.
2n a 2n 1 a
Infinite Series: D’Alembert’s Ratio Test Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur21
1 3 a
1 1 a
u n 1 n 13 a . 2n a n n 3 2n 1
Lim Lim n 1 Lim . 1.
n u n n 2 a n 3 a n a a 2
2 n 1 3
2 n
Sol.: Here u n
n3 n 1
and u n 1
n 13 n
n! n 1!
3
1 1
1 2
Lim
u n 1
Lim
n 1 n . n! Lim n n
3
0 1.
n u n n n 1 ! n 3 n 1 n n 11 1 1
n 2 n3
Hence un is convergent (by D’Alembert’s ratio test).
2 2.5.8 2.5.8.11
Q.No.37.: Examine the behaviour of the infinite series ......... .
1 1.5.9 1.5.9.13
2.5.8.11.........3n 1 2.5.8.11...........3n 13n 2
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1
1.5.9.13............4n 3 1.5.9.13.............4n 34n 1
2
3
u n 1 3n 2 n 3 1.
Lim Lim Lim
n u n n 4n 1 n 1 4
4
n
Hence un is convergent (by D’Alembert’s ratio test).
1.2.3.........n.n 1
2 2
1.2.3.........n
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1
3.5.7............2n 1 3.5.7............2n 12n 1
Infinite Series: D’Alembert’s Ratio Test Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur22
2
1
2
1
u n 1 n 1 n 1
Lim Lim Lim 1.
n u n n 2 n 1 n
2 1 4
n
Hence un is convergent (by D’Alembert’s ratio test).
4 4.12 4.12.20
Q.No.39.: Examine the behaviour of the infinite series ........ .
18 18.27 18.27.36
4.12.20.........8n 4 4.12.20.........8n 48n 4
Sol.: Here u n and u n 1 .
18.27.36............9n 9 18.27.36............9n 99n 18
4
8
u n 1 8n 4 n 8 1.
Lim Lim Lim
n u n n 9n 18 n 18 9
9
n
Hence un is convergent (by D’Alembert’s ratio test).
1
Q.No.40.: Examine the behaviour of the infinite series x n x n .
n 1
or
Examine the behaviour of the infinite series
x1 x2 x3 x4
............... .
x2 1 x4 1 x6 1 x8 1
1 1 xn x n 1
Sol.: Here u n and so u n 1 .
x n x n x n 1 x 2n 1 x 2n 2 1
xn
1 1
n 1 x 2n 1 2n 1 2n
u n 1 x x 1 2n
x x Lim x
Lim Lim 2n 2 Lim .
n un n x 1 x n n 1 n 1
x 2n 2 1 2n 2 x 1 2n 2
x x
1
u n 1 1 2n 1
Lim
x
Case 1: When x 1 , then Lim 1.
n un n 1 x
x 1 2n 2
x
Hence un is convergent (by D’Alembert’s ratio test).
u n 1 x n 1 x 2n 1
Lim Lim 2n 2 x 1.
n u n n x 1 xn
1n
un . In this case series becomes
12 n 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
.......... .....
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1
This series is geometric series whose first term is and common ratio is unity.
2
Hence, by geometric series test the series is divergent when x 1 .
*******************************************
Let’s summarize
D’Alembert’s Ratio Test
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