Saturday, December 6, 2014

sum_(n=1)^oo 3^n/(2^n -1) Use the Direct Comparison Test to determine the convergence or divergence of the series.

Direct comparison test is applicable when suma_n and sumb_n are both positive series for all n such that a_n<=b_n
If sumb_n converges then suma_n converges
If suma_n diverges then sumb_n diverges
Let a_n=3^n/2^n=(3/2)^n and b_n=3^n/(2^n-1)
3^n/(2^n-1)>3^n/2^n>0  for n>=1
sum_(n=1)^oo(3/2)^n is a geometric series with ratio r=3/2>1
A geometric series with |r|>=1 diverges.
The geometric series sum_(n=1)^oo(3/2)^n diverges and so the series sum_(n=1)^oo3^n/(2^n-1) diverges as well, by the direct comparison test.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Why is the fact that the Americans are helping the Russians important?

In the late author Tom Clancy’s first novel, The Hunt for Red October, the assistance rendered to the Russians by the United States is impor...