# Math Help - Prove this series converges

1. ## Prove this series converges

Hi,

I have the following question:

Part d
Using appropriate series convergence tests, prove that the series
$\displaystyle\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{\alpha^n}{\sqrt{n}}$
converges if and only if the real number $\alpha$ satisfies
$-1\le\alpha<1$

So my current working is this:

Let $a_n=\frac{\alpha^n}{\sqrt{n}}$, then
$r=$ $\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}$ $=\frac{\alpha\sqrt{n}} {\sqrt{n+1}}$

Now as $n$ tends to infinity, $r$ will tend to $\alpha$.

Therefore, by the ratio test:
If $\alpha<1$, the series converges
If $\alpha>1$, the series diverges
If $\alpha=1$, $a_n$ $=\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$
In part b of this same question, we had to prove that $\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$ diverges, which I did successfully.

According to my working then, the series converges if $\alpha<1$, which only partly satisfies the requirement: $-1\le\alpha<1$

Can someone spot what I've done wrong here?

Thanks

Note: In part c of the same question, we had to state and prove the Alternating Series Test, which I did successfully, so I'm thinking that we're meant to apply it here somehow, but I'm not sure how.

2. ## Re: Prove this series converges

Actually what you want using the ratio test is

$\lim_{n \to \infty} |\alpha \frac{\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{n+1}}| < 1$

which gives $| \alpha | < 1$ or $- 1 < \alpha < 1$. Then check your endpoints giving the two series

$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{\sqrt{n}}$

and

$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$

Then determine the convergence of each one to determine whether these endpoints should be included in your interval.

3. ## Re: Prove this series converges

Originally Posted by Danny
Actually what you want using the ratio test is

$\lim_{n \to \infty} |\alpha \frac{\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{n+1}}| < 1$

which gives $| \alpha | < 1$ or $- 1 < \alpha < 1$. Then check your endpoints giving the two series

$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{\sqrt{n}}$

and

$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$

Then determine the convergence of each one to determine whether these endpoints should be included in your interval.
Thanks.
According to Alternating series test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, the Alternating Series Test is from $n=0$, not $n=1$. Does this make a difference?

I previously knew the Alternating Series Test as
$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1}a_n$
Is this the same as what Wikipedia says?

Thanks again

4. ## Re: Prove this series converges

Originally Posted by dwally89
Thanks.
According to Alternating series test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, the Alternating Series Test is from $n=0$, not $n=1$. Does this make a difference?

I previously knew the Alternating Series Test as
$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1}a_n$
Is this the same as what Wikipedia says?

Thanks again
You'll notice that $\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$ is not defined at $n = 0$ so it should start at $n = 1.$ As for the test, it doesn't matter shere you start. Adding or subtracting a few terms from the series won't change whether the series converges or not.

5. ## Re: Prove this series converges

Originally Posted by Danny
You'll notice that $\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$ is not defined at $n = 0$ so it should start at $n = 1.$ As for the test, it doesn't matter shere you start. Adding or subtracting a few terms from the series won't change whether the series converges or not.
Is "my version" of the alternating series test:
$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1}a_n$
wrong then?

6. ## Re: Prove this series converges

Nope - it doesn't matter.