5th Topic

Infinite Series
HIGHER RATIO TESTS
[Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test]

Prepared by:
Dr. Sunil
NIT Hamirpur (HP)
(Last updated on 06-01-2011)
Latest update available at: http://www.freewebs.com/sunilnit/

(14 Solved problems and 00 Home assignment)

7. Raabe’s Test
8. Logarithmic Test
9. Gauss’s Test

7. RAABE’S TEST*:
Statement: If  un be a positive term series s.t. from and after some particular

 u   u 
term, Lim n  n  1  k or Lim n 1  n 1   k ,
n   u n 1  n   u n 

then  un (i) converges if k  1 and

(ii) diverges if k  1 .
Remarks: (i) Raabe’s test fails when k  1 .
(ii) This test is very useful when D’Alembert’s ratio test fails.
th nd
* Joseph Ludwing Raabe (15 May, 1801-22 January, 1859) was born in Zuosch. He was the first
Mathematician who proved the various delicate tests of convergence. He is best known for Raabe's ratio
test, an extension of d'Alembert's ratio test, which serves to determine the convergence or divergence of
an infinite series.
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 2

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

8. LOGARITHMIC TEST:
Statement: If  un be a positive term series s.t. from and after some particular

 u 
term, Lim n log n   k ,
n   u n 1 

then  un (i) converges if k  1 and

(ii) diverges if k  1 .
Remarks: (i) Logarithmic test fails when k  1 .
(ii) This test is very useful when D’Alembert’s ratio test fails.

9. GAUSS’S TEST:
Statement: If  u n be a positive term series s.t. from and after some particular term,
un k   u k  
 1   pn or n 1  1   2n ,
u n 1 n n un n n
where k is independent of n, p  1 ,

n is a bounded sequence when n   ,

then  un (i) converges if k  1 and

(ii) diverges if k  1 .
Remark: (i) This test is very useful when Raabe’s test fails.

Imp. Remarks:
un
(i) If Lim involves e, then we can apply Logarithmic test.
n   u n 1

un
(ii) If Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe’s or Gauss’s test.
n   u n 1

Now let us examine the behavior of the following infinite series, where we
have use RAABE’S TEST:
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 3

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

4.7.10.......(3n  1) n
Q.No.1.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series  1.2.3.......n
x .

un 4.7.......(3n  1) n 1.2....n.(n  1) 1 (n  1) 1
Sol.: Here  x  n 1
 .
u n 1 1.2.......n 4.7....(3n  1).(3n  4) x (3n  4) x
un 1
 Lim  . Hence, by D’Alembert’s ratio test
n   u n 1 3x
1 1
 un (i) converges if
3x
 1 and (ii) diverges if
3x
 1.

1 1
i.e.  un (i) converges if x 
3
and (ii) diverges if x  .
3
1 u
But this test fails if x  . Now if Lim n does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe’s
3 n   u n 1

1
or Gauss’s test. Now let us try the Raabe’s test. When x  , then
3
1
un  1  4  1  4 16  1 4
 1   1    1   1   2 ......  1   2  ......
u n 1  n   3n   n   3n 9n  3n 9n

 u   1 4  1
 Lim n  n  1  Lim    .....    1 .
n   u n 1  n    3 9n  3

1
 By Raabe’s test, the given series diverges when x  .
3
1 1
Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x 
3
and (ii) diverges if x  .
3
Q.No.2.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series
3 3.6 2 3.6.9 3 3.6.9.12 4
1 x x  x  x  ......... .
7 7.10 7.10.13 7.10.13.16
3.6.9.....(3n )
Sol.: Here (by omitting first term) u n  xn
7.10.13.......(3n  4)
3.6.9.......(3n )(3n  3)
and  u n 1  x n 1 .
7.10.13.......(3n  4)(3n  7)
un 3.6.9.......(3n ) 7.10.13......(3n  4)(3n  7) 1 (3n  7) 1
Now  xn   .
u n 1 7.10.13........(3n  4) 3.6.9.....(3n ).(3n  3) x n 1 (3n  3) x
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 4

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

 7 
1  
un 3n  1 1
 Lim  Lim  .  .
n  u n 1 n   1 x x
1  
 n
Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test:
1 1
 un (i) converges if
x
 1 and (ii) diverges if  1 .
x
i.e.  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .

un
But this test fails if x  1 . Now if Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe’s
n   u n 1

test or Gauss’s test. Now let us try the Raabe’s test.

When x  1 , then
1
un  7  1   7  1 1  4 4
 1   1    1   1   2 ......  1   2  ......
u n 1  3n   n   3n   n n  3n 3n

 u  4 4  4
 Lim n  n  1  Lim    .....   1 .
n   u n 1  n   3 3n  3
 By Raabe’s test, the given series converges when x  1 .
Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .

x 1.2 2 1.2.3 3
Q.No.3.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series  x  x  ...... x  0 .
3 3.5 3.5.7
1.2.3....n 1.2.3....n.n  1
Sol.: Here u n  x n and so u n 1  x n 1
3.5.7....2n  1 3.5.7....2n  12n  3

 3 
21  
un 1.2.3....n 3.5.7....2n  12n  3 1 2 n  3 1  2n  1
Now  xn    .
u n 1 3.5.7....2n  1 1.2.3....n.n  1 x n 1 n  1 x 1  1  x
 n

 3 
21  
un 2n  1 2
 Lim  Lim   .
n  u n 1 n   1 x x
1  
 n
Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 5

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

2 2
 un (i) converges if
x
 1 and (ii) diverges if  1 .
x
i.e.  un (i) converges if x  2 and (ii) diverges if x  2 .

un
But this test fails if x  2 . Now if Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe’s
n   u n 1

test or Gauss’s test. Now let us try the Raabe’s test.

When x  2 then
1
un  3  1   3  1 1  1 1
 1   1    1   1   2 ......  1   2  ......
u n 1  2n   n   2n   n n  2n 2n

 u  1 1  1
 Lim n  n  1  Lim    .....   1 .
n   u n 1  n    2 2n  2
 By Raabe’s test, the given series diverges when x  1 .
Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x  2 and (ii) diverges if x  2 .

Q.No.4.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series 1  3x  5x 2  7 x 3  .... x  0 .

Sol.: Here (by omitting first term) u n  2n  1x n and so u n 1  2n  3x n 1

 1   1 
1   1  
un

2n  1x n

2n  1
 Lim
un
 Lim  2n  1 1
 .
u n 1 2n  3x n 1  3 x n  u n 1 n   3 x x
1   1  
 2n   2n 
Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test
1 1
 un (i)converges if
x
 1 and (ii) diverges if  1 .
x
i.e.  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .

un
But this test fails if x  1 . Now if Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe’s
n   u n 1

test or Gauss’s test. Now let us try the Raabe’s test.

When x  1 , then
1
un  1  3  1  3 9  1 3
 1   1    1   1   2 ......  1   2  ......
u n 1  2n   2n   2 n   2n 4 n  n 2n
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 6

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

 u   3 
 Lim n  n  1  Lim  1   .....  1  1 .
n   u n 1  n   2n 
 By Raabe’s test, the given series diverges when x  1 .
Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .

or
When x  1 , then u n  2n  1
Now Lim u n  Lim 2n  1    0 .
n  n 

Hence by n th term test, this series is divergent when x  1 .

Q.No.5.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series
1 1.3 2 1.3.5 3
1 x x  x  ... ( x  0 ).
2 2.4 2.4.6
1.3.5.....( 2n  1) n
Sol.: Here (by omitting first term) u n  x
2.4.6.......( 2n )
1.3.5.......( 2n  1)(2n  1) n 1
and  u n 1  x .
2.4.6.......( 2n )(2n  2)
un 1.3.5.....( 2n  1) n 2.4.6......( 2n )(2n  2) 1 ( 2 n  2) 1
Now  x  n 1
 .
u n 1 2.4.6.....( 2 n ) 1.3.5......( 2n  1).(2n  1) x ( 2n  1) x

 1
1  
un n 1 1
 Lim  Lim  .  . Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test
n   u n 1 n   1  x x
1  
 2n 
1 1
 un (i)converges if
x
 1 and (ii) diverges if  1 .
x
i.e.  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .

un
But this test fails if x  1 . Now if Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe's
n   u n 1

test or Gauss’s test. Now let us try the Raabe’s test. When x  1 then
1
un  1  1  1  1 1  1 1
 1   1    1   1   2
 ...  1   2  ...
u n 1  n   2n   n   2 n ( 2n )  2n 4n
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 7

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

 u  1 1  1
 Lim n  n  1  Lim    .....   1 .
n   u n 1  n    2 4n  2
 By Raabe’s test, the given series diverges when x  1 .
Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .

Q.No.6.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series

3 3.6 2 3.6.9 3 3.6.9.12 4
1 x x  x  x  ......... . x  0 
7 7.10 7.10.13 7.10.13.16
3.6.9.....(3n )
Sol.: Here (by omitting first term) u n  x n and
7.10.13.......(3n  4)
3.6.9.......(3n )(3n  3)
 u n 1  x n 1 .
7.10.13.......(3n  4)(3n  7)
un 3.6.9.......(3n ) 7.10.13......(3n  4)(3n  7) 1 (3n  7) 1
Now  xn   .
u n 1 7.10.13........(3n  4) 3.6.9.....(3n ).(3n  3) x n 1 (3n  3) x

 7 
1  
un 3n  1 1
 Lim  Lim  .  .
n  u n 1 n   1 x x
1  
 n
Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test
1 1
 un (i) converges if
x
 1 and (ii) diverges if  1 .
x
i.e.  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .

un
But this test fails if x  1 . Now if Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe’s
n   u n 1

test or Gauss’s test. Now let us try the Raabe’s test. When x  1 then
1
un  7  1   7  1 1  4 4
 1   1    1   1   2 ......  1   2  ......
u n 1  3n   n   3n   n n  3n 3n

 u  4 4  4
 Lim n  n  1  Lim    .....   1 .
n   u n 1  n   3 3n  3
 By Raabe’s test, the given series converges when x  1 .
Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 8

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

x 1 x 3 1.3 x 5 1.3.5 x 7
Q.No.7.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series  .  .  .  ...
1 2 3 2.4 5 2.4.6 7
x  1.
1.3.5.....( 2n  1) x 2 n 1
Sol.: Here (by omitting first term) u n  . , n  1.
2.4.6.......( 2n ) 2n  1

1.3.5.......( 2n  1)(2n  1) x 2n  3
and  u n 1  . . Now
2.4.6.......( 2n )(2n  2) 2n  3

un 1.3.5.....( 2n  1) x 2n 1 2.4.6......( 2n )(2n  2) 2n  3 ( 2n  2)2n  3 1

 .  .  .
u n 1 2.4.6.....( 2n ) 2n  1 1.3.5......( 2n  1).(2n  1) x 2n  3 ( 2n  1)2n  1 x 2

 1  3 
1  1  
un  n  2n  1 1
 Lim  Lim 2
. 2  2.
n  u n 1 n   1  x x
1  
 2n 
Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test
1 1
 un (i)converges if
x 2
 1 and (ii) diverges if
x2
 1.

i.e.  un (i) converges if x 2  1 and (ii) diverges if x 2  1 .

un
But this test fails if x 2  1 . Now if Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe's
n   u n 1

test or Gauss’s test. Now let us try the Raabe’s test. When x 2  1 then
2
un  1  3  1  1  3  2 1  3 1
 1   1   1    1   1   1   ... 2 ...  1   ... 2  ...
u n 1  n   2n   2n   n   2n   2n n  2n n

 u  3 1  3
 Lim n  n  1  Lim   ...  .....   1 .
n   u n 1  n   2 n  2

 By Raabe’s test, the given series converges when x 2  1 .

Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x 2  1 and (ii) diverges if x 2  1 .

Q.No.8.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series 1 

1!2 x 2  2!2 x 4  3!2 x 6  ...
2! 4! 6!
x  0.
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 9

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

Sol.: Here (by omitting first term) u n 

n!2 2n
x and so u n 1 
n  1!2 2 n  2
x .
2n ! 2n  2!
Now
 1 
41  
un

n! x 2n  2n  2! 1
2

2n  22n  1 1
. 2 
22n  1 1
.   2n  1
.
u n 1 2n ! n  1!2 x 2n  2 n  12 x n  1 x2  1  x2
1  
 n

 1 
41  
un 2n  1 4
 Lim  Lim  1
. 2
 .
n  u n 1 n   1 x x2
1  
 n
Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test
4 4
 un (i)converges if
x 2
 1 and (ii) diverges if
x2
 1.

i.e.  un (i) converges if x 2  4 and (ii) diverges if x 2  4 .

un
But this test fails if x 2  4 . Now if Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe’s
n   u n 1

test or Gauss’s test. Now let us try the Raabe’s test. When x 2  4 then
1
un  1  1   1  1 1  1 1
 1   1    1   1   2 ......  1   2  ......
u n 1  2n   n   2n   n n  2n 2n

 u   1 1  1
 Lim n  n  1  Lim    .....    1 .
n   u n 1  n    2 2n  2

 By Raabe’s test, the given series diverges when x 2  4 .

Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x 2  4 and (ii) diverges if x 2  4 .

Q.No.9.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series

a a a  1 2 a a  1a  2  3
1 x x  x  .... a, b  0, x  0 .
b bb  1 bb  1b  2 
a a  1a  2 ......a  n  1 n
Sol.: Here (by omitting first term) u n  x and so
bb  1b  2 ......b  n  1
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 10

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

a a  1a  2 ......a  n  1a  n  n 1

u n 1  x .
bb  1b  2......b  n  1b  n 

 b  b
1   1  
Now
un

b  n 1  n  1
  Lim
un
 Lim 
n 1 1
.  .
u n 1 a  n  x 1  a  x n  u n 1 n  1  a  x x
 
 n  n
1 1
Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test,  un (i) converges if
x
 1 and (ii) diverges if  1 .
x
i.e.  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .

un
But this test fails if x  1 . Now if Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe’s
n   u n 1

test or Gauss’s test.

Now let us try the Raabe's test.
When x  1 , then
1
 b  a a 
2
un  b  a  1 1
 1   1    1   1   2 ......  1  b  a   ..... 2  ......
u n 1  n   n   n   n n  n n

 u   1 
 Lim n  n  1  Lim b  a   .....  .....  b  a  .
n   u n 1  n   n 
 By Raabe’s test, the given series converges if b  a   1 and diverges if b  a   1
and Raabe’s test fails if b  a   1 . When b  a   1
a 1
We get u n  . Take v n  .
an n
un a n a
 Lim  Lim   Lim  a (a non-zero, finite number) . [ a  0]
n  v n n  a  n 1 n  a
1
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
But  vn   n (here p  1 ) is divergent. [by p-series test]

Thus  u n is also divergent, when b  a   1 .

Hence  u n (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 11

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

When x  1 , the given series converges if b  a   1 and diverges if b  a   1

Now let us examine the behavior of the following infinite series, where we
have use LOGARITHMIC TEST:

22 x 2 33 x 3 44 x 4
Q.No.1.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series x     ......... .
2! 3! 4!

un nnxn (n  1)! nn 1 1
Sol.: Here     . .
u n 1 n! n  1n 1 x n 1 n  1n x  1 n x
1  
 n
un 1
 Lim  . Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test
n   u n 1 ex
1 1
 un (i) converges if
ex
 1 and (ii) diverges if
ex
 1.

1 1 1
i.e.  un (i) converges if x 
e
and (ii) diverges if x  . But this test fails if x  .
e e
un
Now if Lim involves e, then we can apply Logarithmic test.
n   u n 1

Now let us try Logarithmic test.

1 un e
When x  , then 
e u n 1  1  n
1  
 n
un  1 1 1 1  1 1
 log  loge e  n log1    1  n   2  3  ......   2  ... .
u n 1  n  n 2n 3n  2n 3n

 u  1
Hence Lim n log n    1.
n   u n 1  2

1
 By Logarithmic test, the given series diverges when x  .
e
1 1
Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x 
e
and (ii) diverges if x  .
e
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 12

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

Q.No.2.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series

a  x   a  2x 2  a  3x 3  ...... .
1! 2! 3!
( x  0) .

Sol.: Here u n 
a  nx n and  u n 1 
a  n  1x n 1 .
n! n  1!
n
 a
nn  x  
Lim
un
 Lim
a  nx n  n  1!  Lim  n

1
.
n  u n 1 n  n! a  n  1x n 1 n   1
n
  a 
n 1 ex
n n 1    x  
 n  n 1
Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test
1 1
 un (i) converges if
ex
 1 and (ii) diverges if
ex
 1.

1 1 1
i.e.  un (i) converges if x 
e
and (ii) diverges if x  . But this test fails if x  .
e e
un
Now if involves e, then we can apply Logarithmic test. Now let us try Logarithmic
u n 1
test.
n n
1 a   ae 
   1  
1 un  e n  n
When x  ,  n n 1
e n n 1
.
e u n 1  1   1 a   1   ae 
1      1   1  
 n   e n 1  n   n  1
un  ae   1  ae 
 log  log e  n log1    n log1    n  1log1  
u n 1  n  n  n 1
 ae a 2e 2  1 1   ae a 2e 2 
 1  n   ...  n    ...  n  1   ......
 n  1 2n  1
2 2 2
 n 2n   n 2n  

 
 a 2e 2 1 2 2 
a e 1
    . .
 2 2  n  1  n
 2 
  n  

 u  1
Hence Lim n log n    1.
n   u n 1  2
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 13

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

1
 By Logarithmic test, the given series diverges when x  .
e
1 1
Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x 
e
and (ii) diverges if x  .
e
x 2! 2 3! 3 4! 4
Q.No.3.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series 1   x  3 x  4 x  .....
2 32 4 5
( x  0 ).

Sol.: Here (by omitting first term) u n 

n!
x n and  u n 1 
n  1! x n 1 .
n  1 n
n  2n 1
n n  2 
n 1 n 1
un n! 1  1  1
Now  x    1  
u n 1 n  1n n  1! x n 1  n  1  x
n 1
u  1  1 e
 Lim n  Lim 1    . Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test
n  u n 1 n   n  1 x x
e e
 un (i) converges if
x
 1 and (ii) diverges if  1 .
x
i.e.  un (i) converges if x  e and (ii) diverges if x  e .

un
But this test fails if x  e . Now if Lim involve e, then we can apply Logarithmic test.
n   u n 1

Now let us try the Logarithmic test.

n 1
un  1  1
When x  e , then  1  
u n 1  n  1  e
n 1
 1 
1  
un  n  1   1  
n log  n log  n n  1log1    log e e
u n 1 e   n  1 
  1 1 1 1 1    1 1 1 1 
 n n  1  .  .  ...   1  n   .  .  ...
  n  1 2 n  12 3 n  13    2 n  1 3 n  1
2


1 n 1 n 1 1 1 1
   ...     ... .
2  1  3 2  1 2 2  1  3  1 2
n 1   n 1   1   n 1  
 n  n  n  n
un 1
 Lim n log    1.
n  u n 1 2
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 14

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

 By Logarithmic test, the given series diverges when x  e .

Hence the given series  un (i) converges if x  e and (ii) diverges if x  e .

Now let us examine the behavior of the following infinite series, where we
have use GAUSS’S TEST:

2
1.3.5...(2n  1) 
Q.No.1.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series    .
 2.4.6...(2n ) 
or

12 12.32 12.32.52
Examine the behaviour of the series    ................... .
22 22.4 2 2 2.42.6 2
2 2
1.3.5....(2n  1)  1.3.5....(2n  1)(2n  1) 
Sol.: Here u n    and so u n 1    .
 2.4.6...(2n )   2.4.6...(2n )(2n  2) 
2
 2
un  2n  2 
2
2  n 
 Lim  Lim   Lim   1.
n   u n 1 n    2n  1 
 n  1
2  
 n
This shows that D’Alembert’s ratio test fails. Now let us apply Raabe’s test.

 u   (2n  2) 2  4n 2  3n
Limn  n  1  Lim n  2
 1  Lim 2
1
n    u n 1  n   (2n  1)  n  (2n  1)
This shows that Raabe’s test fails. Now let us apply Gauss’s test.
2 2 2
un  2n  2   1  1  2 1  2 3 1 5 
   1   1    1   2  1   2  3  ......
u n 1  2n  1   n   2n   n n   2n 4n 2n 16n 4

1 1 1 1 
 1   4  2  ............ .
n n2  4n 
or
2 2 2
u n 1  2n  1   1  1  1 1  2 3 4 5 
Also    1   1   1   2  1   2  3  4 ......
un  2n  2   2n   n   n 4n   n n n n 
1 5 1 3 1 7 1 1 1 5 3 7 
 1  . 2  . 3  . 4  ......  1   2    2  ......
n 4 n 2 n 4 n n n  4 2 n 4n 
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 15

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

Then by Gauss’s test, which states that, if  u n be a positive term series s.t. from and after
un k  u k 
some particular term  1   pn or n 1  1   2n , where k is independent of n,
u n 1 n n un n n

p  1 n is a bounded sequence when n   , then  un

(i) converges if k  1 and (ii) diverges if k  1 .
5 3 7 5
Here k = 1 and,  n    n  ...... and  n  as n   .
4 2n 4n 4
Thus  n is bounded as n   .
Hence the given series is divergent.
Q.No.2.: Discuss the behaviour of infinite series
.   1  1 2   1  2   1  2 3
1 x x  x  ..... . ( x  0 )
1. 1.2.   1 1.2.3.   1  2
Sol.: Here (by omitting first term)
  1  2 ...  n  1  1  2............  n  1 n
un  x
1.2.3....n.   1  2 ......  n  1
  1  2 ...  n  1  n   1  2 ........  n  1  n  n 1
u n 1  x
1.2.3....n.n  1   1  2......  n  1  n 

 1  
1  1  
Now
un

n  1  n  . 1   n  n  . 1 .
u n 1   n   n  x 1   1    x
 n  n 

 1  
1  1  
un n  n  1 1
 Lim  Lim  .  .
n   u n 1 n       x x
1  1  
 n  n 
1 1
Hence by D’Alembert’s ratio test,  un (i) converges if
x
 1 and (ii) diverges if  1 .
x
i.e.  un (i) converges if x  1 and (ii) diverges if x  1 .

un
But this test fails if x  1 . Now if Lim does not involve e, then we can apply Raabe’s
n   u n 1

test or Gauss’s test. Now let us try the Gauss's test. When x  1 , then
Infinite Series: Raabe’s Test, Logarithmic Test, Gauss’s Test 16

Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur

1 1
un  1          1       
 1   1   1   1    1   1   1   ... 1   ......
u n 1  n   n   n   n   n  n  n  n 
1 1
 1  1        ...... 2  ...... .
n n
Then by Gauss’s test, if  u n be a positive term series s.t. from and after some particular
un k 
term  1   pn where k is independent of n, p  1 ,  n is a bounded sequence
u n 1 n n

when n   ,then  un (i) converges if k  1 and (ii) diverges if k  1 .

Here k  1      

then  u n (i) converges if 1        1 and (ii) diverges if 1        1 .

i.e.  u n (i) converges if      and (ii) diverges if      when x  1 .

Let’s summarize
 Raabe’s Test
 Logarithmic Test
 Gauss’s Test

NEXT LECTURE

Alternating series
Alternating Series, Absolute Series, Leibnitz’s Rule,
Absolutely convergent series, Conditionally convergent series
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