1. Convergence
The series that are of the most interest to us are those that converge.
Today we will consider the question:
“Does this series converge, and if so, for what values of x does it converge?”

2. nth term test for divergence
The first requirement of convergence is that the terms must approach zero.
nth term test for divergence
diverges if fails to exist or is not zero.
If then grows without bound.
Ex. 2:
Note that this can prove that a series diverges, but can not prove that a series converges.
If then
As , eventually is larger than , therefore the numerator grows faster than the denominator.
The series diverges. (except when x=0)

3. There are three possibilities for power series convergence.1
The series converges over some finite interval:
(the interval of convergence).
There is a positive number R such that the series diverges for but converges for
The series may or may not converge at the endpoints of the interval. 2
The series converges for every x. ( ) 3
The series converges at and diverges everywhere else. ( )
(As in the previous example.)
The number R is the radius of convergence.

4. Direct Comparison Test
This series converges.
For non-negative series:
If every term of a series is less than the corresponding term of a convergent series, then both series converge.
So this series must also converge.
If every term of a series is greater than the corresponding term of a divergent series, then both series diverge.
So this series must also diverge.
This series diverges.

5. Prove that converges for all real x.
Ex. 3:
Prove that converges for all real x.
There are no negative terms:
larger denominator
is the Taylor series for , which converges.
The original series converges.
The direct comparison test only works when the terms are non-negative.

6. “If a series converges absolutely, then it converges.”
Absolute Convergence
If converges, then we say converges absolutely.
The term “converges absolutely” means that the series formed by taking the absolute value of each term converges. Sometimes in the English language we use the word “absolutely” to mean “really” or “actually”. This is not the case here!
If converges, then converges.
If the series formed by taking the absolute value of each term converges, then the original series must also converge.
“If a series converges absolutely, then it converges.”

7. Ex. 4:
We test for absolute convergence:
Since ,
converges to
converges by the direct comparison test.
Since converges absolutely, it converges.

8. Ratio Technique
We have learned that the partial sum of a geometric series is given by:
where r = common ratio between terms
When , the series converges.

9. Geometric series have a constant ratio between terms
Geometric series have a constant ratio between terms. Other series have ratios that are not constant. If the absolute value of the limit of the ratio between consecutive terms is less than one, then the series will converge.
For , if then:
if the series converges.
if the series diverges.
if the series may or may not converge.

10. Ex:
If we replace x with x-1, we get:
If the limit of the ratio between consecutive terms is less than one, then the series will converge.

11. If the limit of the ratio between consecutive terms is less than one, then the series will converge.
The interval of convergence is (0,2).
The radius of convergence is 1.

12. Ex:

13. Ex:
The interval of convergence is (2,8).
The radius of convergence is

14. Ex:

15. Ex:
for all
Radius of convergence = 0.
At , the series is , which converges to zero.
Note: If R is infinite, then the series converges for all values of x.

16. Another series for which it is easy to find the sum is the telescoping series.
Using partial fractions:
Ex. 6:
Telescoping Series
converges to p