# Thread: Convergence & proof that e^x is greater than x^2 and such

1. ## Convergence & proof that e^x is greater than x^2 and such

I have a few problems concerning infinite series which I need some help on. I'm supposed to determine the convergence/divergence using ONLY the comparison tests. Here are the problems:

$\displaystyle\Sigma\frac{1}{e^n+1}$

$\displaystyle\Sigma\frac{2^n}{3^n-1000}$

$\displaystyle\Sigma\frac{1}{e^n^2}$

For the first and the third ones, I want to apply the plain comparison test, using $\frac{1}{x^2}$ as the series which I compare it to. However, I need a way to prove that $e^n$ is greater than $x^n$ for all n [1, $\infty)$. Once I prove this, how would I apply it to the third problem since it's ${e^{n}}^2$? By the way, that is e^n^2...it's kind of hard to tell with the latex. For the second problem, here is what I have so far:

$\displaystyle\Sigma\frac{2^n}{3^n-1000}$

$\displaystyle\frac{2^n}{3^n-1000}\geq\frac{2^n}{3^n}$

So, now using the limit comparison test...

$\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\frac{2^n}{3^n-1000}}{\frac{2^n}{3^n}}$ = $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{3^n}{3^n-1000}$=1

The limit exits, is finite, and is greater than zero...so the original series will behave the same as $\Sigma\frac{2^n}{3^n}$ but I'm not sure how to prove whether this series converges/diverges? Any help would be appreciated.

2. Originally Posted by dbakeg00
I have a few problems concerning infinite series which I need some help on. I'm supposed to determine the convergence/divergence using ONLY the comparison tests. Here are the problems:

$\displaystyle\Sigma\frac{1}{e^n+1}$

$\displaystyle\Sigma\frac{2^n}{3^n-1000}$

$\displaystyle\Sigma\frac{1}{e^n^2}$
$$e^{n^2}$$ gives $e^{n^2}$

Note that $\dfrac{1}{e^n+1}<\dfrac{1}{2^n}$

3. Originally Posted by Plato
$$e^{n^2}$$ gives $e^{n^2}$

Note that $\dfrac{1}{e^n+1}<\dfrac{1}{2^n}$
Thanks..I wasn't sure how to write that properly in Latex

and $\Sigma\frac{1}{2^n}$ converges because it s a geometric series...I should have seen that!

Thank you

Now can someone help me prove that $e^x \geq x^2$ for all $x\geq 1$?

4. Originally Posted by dbakeg00
Now can someone help me prove that $e^x \geq x^2$ for all $x\geq 1$?
Let $f(x)=e^x-x^2$ show that is increasing for $x>1$.

5. Originally Posted by dbakeg00
Thanks..I wasn't sure how to write that properly in Latex

and $\Sigma\frac{1}{2^n}$ converges because it s a geometric series...I should have seen that!

Thank you

Now can someone help me prove that $e^x \geq x^2$ for all $x\geq 1$?
$\displaystyle \sum_{n \geq 0}{\frac{1}{2^n}} = \sum_{n \geq 0}{\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^n}$ converges because it is a geometric series with $\displaystyle |r| < 1$.