1.

Convergence and Divergence Tests for Series

Test When to Use Conclusions

∞
X
Divergence Test for any series an Diverges if lim |an | =
6 0.
n→∞
n=0
∞ Z ∞ ∞
X X
Integral Test an with an ≥ 0 and an decreasing f (x)dx and an both converge/diverge
n=0 1 n=0
where f (n) = an .
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
X X X X
Comparison Test an and bn bn converges =⇒ an converges.
n=0 n=0 n=0 n=0
X∞ X ∞

if 0 ≤ an ≤ bn an diverges =⇒ bn diverges.
n=0 n=0
∞ ∞
X X
Limiting Comparison Test an , (an > 0). Choose bn , (bn > 0)
n=0 n=0
∞ ∞
an X X
if lim =L with 0 < L < ∞ an and bn both converge/diverge
n→∞ bn
n=0 n=0
∞ ∞
an X X
if lim =0 bn converges =⇒ an converges.
n→∞ bn
n=0 n=0
∞ ∞
an X X
if lim =∞ bn diverges =⇒ an diverges.
n→∞ bn
n=0 n=0

∞
X
Convergent test (−1)n an (an > 0) converges if
n=0
for alternating Series lim an = 0 and an is decreasing
n→∞
∞
X ∞ X ∞
X
Absolute Convergence for any series an If |an | converges, then an converges,
n=0 n=0 n=0
(definition of absolutely convergent series.)
∞
X ∞
X ∞
X
Conditional Convergence for any series an if |an | diverges but an converges.
n=0 n=0 n=0
X∞

an conditionally converges
n=0
∞
X
For any series an , there are 3 cases:
n=0
∞
 an+1 
  X
Ratio Test: Calculate lim  =L if L < 1, then |an | converges ;
n→∞ an
n=0
∞
p X
n
Root Test: Calculate lim |an | = L if L > 1, then |an | diverges;
n→∞
n=0
if L = 1, no conclusion can be made.

2. Important Series to Remember

Series How do they look Conclusions

∞
X a
Geometric Series arn Converges to if |r| < 1 and diverges if |r| ≥ 1
1−r
n=0
∞
X 1
p-series Converges if p > 1 and diverges if p ≤ 1
np
n=1