# Math Help - Series converge or diverge?

1. ## Series converge or diverge?

Use what test?

a) ∑(from n=1 to infinity) (arctan n/ n^1.2)
b) ∑(from n=1 to infinity) ( (n^n) / (2n)! )

Not sure how to do these...when i do it using ratio test, it turns out really weird..so yea i need help.

Thanks.

2. Hi
Originally Posted by Rui
Use what test?

a) ∑(from n=1 to infinity) (arctan n/ n^1.2)
$
\forall x\in \mathbb{R},\,\,|\arctan x|<\frac{\pi}{2}$
: you may try the comparison test

b) ∑(from n=1 to infinity) ( (n^n) / (2n)! )
Ratio test : $\left|\frac{a
_{n+1}}{a_n}\right|=\frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{(2(n+1))!}\ cdot \frac{(2n)!}{n^n}=\frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{n^n(2n+1)(2n+ 2)}$
because $(2(n+1))!=(2n+2)!=(2n+2)\cdot(2n+1)\cdot(2n)!$.

Then, you can use $n+1 to say that $(n+1)^{n+1} and see what it gives.

3. Originally Posted by Rui
a) ∑(from n=1 to infinity) (arctan n/ n^1.2)
Comparison test:

let $a_n = \frac{arctan(n)}{n^{1.2}}$, and let $b_n = \frac{\pi}{n^{1.2}}$

Then $a_n \leq b_n$ (because $\lim_{n\to\infty} arctan(n) = \frac {\pi}2$)

And $b_n$ is a p-series with p=1.2, which is greater than 1, therefore $\sum b_n$ converges, and because $\sum a_n$ is monotonic and increasing, and bounded above by $\sum b_n$ we know that $\sum a_n$ converges by the comparison test.

Originally Posted by Rui
b) ∑(from n=1 to infinity) ( (n^n) / (2n)! )
Ratio Test:
$a_n =\frac{n^n}{(2n)!}$, and $a_{n+1} = \frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{(2(n+1))!} = \frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{(2n+1)(2n+2)(2n)!}$

$\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac {a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right| = \lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{(2n+1)(2n+2)(2n)!} * \frac{(2n)!}{n^n}\right|$

$=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{(2n+1)(2n+2)n^n}\right|$

$=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)(n+1)^n}{(2n+1)(2n+2)n^n}\right|$

Here multiply numerator and denominator by 1 over n^n to get

$=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)(1+1/n)^n}{(2n+1)(2n+2)}\right|$

Now multiply the numerator and denominator by 1/n to get

$=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(1+1/n)(1+1/n)^n}{(2+1/n)(2n+2)}\right|$

It should be relatively clear that this converges to zero, (because the numerator converges to e, and the denominator diverges) but if you need me to explain that more, I can.

So because $\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac {a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right| = 0 < 1$ the series $\sum_n^\infty \frac{n^n}{(2n)!}$ is absolutely convergent and therefore convergent.

4. Originally Posted by angel.white
Comparison test:

let $a_n = \frac{arctan(n)}{n^{1.2}}$, and let $b_n = \frac{\pi}{n^{1.2}}$

Then $a_n \leq b_n$ (because $\lim_{n\to\infty} arctan(n) = \frac {\pi}2$)

And $b_n$ is a p-series with p=1.2, which is greater than 1, therefore $\sum b_n$ converges, and because $\sum a_n$ is monotonic and increasing, and bounded above by $\sum b_n$ we know that $\sum a_n$ converges by the comparison test.

Ratio Test:
$a_n =\frac{n^n}{(2n)!}$, and $a_{n+1} = \frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{(2(n+1))!} = \frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{(2n+1)(2n+2)(2n)!}$

$\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac {a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right| = \lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{(2n+1)(2n+2)(2n)!} * \frac{(2n)!}{n^n}\right|$

$=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)^{n+1}}{(2n+1)(2n+2)n^n}\right|$

$=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)(n+1)^n}{(2n+1)(2n+2)n^n}\right|$

Here multiply numerator and denominator by 1 over n^n to get

$=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(n+1)(1+1/n)^n}{(2n+1)(2n+2)}\right|$

Now multiply the numerator and denominator by 1/n to get

$=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac{(1+1/n)(1+1/n)^n}{(2+1/n)(2n+2)}\right|$

It should be relatively clear that this converges to zero, (because the numerator converges to e, and the denominator diverges) but if you need me to explain that more, I can.

So because $\lim_{n\to\infty} \left| \frac {a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right| = 0 < 1$ the series $\sum_n^\infty \frac{n^n}{(2n)!}$ is absolutely convergent and therefore convergent.
For the second one also consider

That there $\exists{N}\backepsilon\forall{n>N},\frac{n}{(n)!}> \frac{n^n}{(2n)!}$

Which implies convergence by the comparison test

5. Originally Posted by Rui
Use what test?

a) ∑(from n=1 to infinity) (arctan n/ n^1.2)
b) ∑(from n=1 to infinity) ( (n^n) / (2n)! )

Not sure how to do these...when i do it using ratio test, it turns out really weird..so yea i need help.

Thanks.
This is an old one, but for b) consider using the Root Test

$\lim_{n\to\infty}\bigg|\frac{n^n}{(2n)!}\bigg|^{\f rac{1}{n}}=\lim_{n\to\infty}\bigg|\frac{n^n}{\sqrt {4\pi{n}}(n^n)^2(e^{-n})^24^n}\bigg|^{\frac{1}{n}}=\lim_{n\to\infty}\bi gg|\frac{n}{(4\pi{n})^{\frac{1}{2n}}4n^2e^{-2}}\bigg|=0<1$

therefore convergent by root test