# Determining series convergence or divergence

• Apr 3rd 2010, 08:37 PM
xterminal01
Determining series convergence or divergence
$
\sum_{n = 1}^{\infty} \frac {1}{4^n}
$

I tried rewriting it to 4^-n and then using the geometric series test 1/1-r
Which makes it to -1/3 convergence. I am not sure if its correct or not...

• Apr 3rd 2010, 08:40 PM
dwsmith
This is a geometric series. Rewrite it so the index starts at zero and (1/4)^n
• Apr 3rd 2010, 08:42 PM
dwsmith
I obtained a positive 1/3 when I did it.
• Apr 3rd 2010, 08:50 PM
xterminal01
Quote:

Originally Posted by dwsmith
I obtained a positive 1/3 when I did it.

That probably correct can you show steps u used?
• Apr 3rd 2010, 08:55 PM
dwsmith
Since you have $1/4^n$, you can rewrite it as $(1/4)^n$. This is because 1 to any power is still 1.

Now, because your indexing starts at 1 instead of 0, we can subtract 1 and then add 1.

This will make the index start at 0. The adding one happens to the exponent so now we have $(1/4)^{n+1}$. This can be written as $(1/4)^1*(1/4)^n$.

Of course, $(1/4)^1=(1/4)$ so we just move that out side the summation.

Thus, you have a geometric series times 1/4 which is your a in the formula $a/(1-r)$