Math 2300: Calculus II Comparison Test Practice

The Comparison
P TestP
Suppose that an and bn are series with positive terms.
P P
• If bn converges and an ≤ bn , then an also converges.
P P
• If bn diverges and an ≥ bn , then an also diverges.

The Limit Comparison Test

an
Suppose an > 0 and bn > 0 for all n. If lim = c, where c is finite and c > 0, then the two
P P n→∞ bn
series an and bn either both converge or both diverge.

Each of the following series can be proven to converge or diverge by comparing to a known series.
For some of these series you can compare the term-size to get a result. For others, simple comparison
doesn’t work quite right and instead you must use the Limit Comparison Test. For each of the
following, determine what known series to compare to, and which test should be used. Use that
test to show convergence or divergence of the series.
∞
X arctan n
1.
2n
n=1
arctan n 2
Solution: I’ll use the Term-size Comparison Test. Let an = n
and bn = n , both
2 2
are positive.
arctan n 2
Since arctan n ≤ 2 for all n, n
≤ n for all n > 0.
2 2
∞ ∞ ∞  n
X X 2 X 1
bn = n
=2 is a convergent geometric series (r = 12 < 1).
2 2
n=1 n=1 n=1
∞
X arctan n
Therefore, by the Term-size Comparison Test, also converges.
2n
n=1
∞
X arctan n
2. √
n=1
n
1 arctan n
Solution: Term-size Comparison Test. Let an = √ and bn = √ , both sequences
n n
are positive.
1 arctan n
√ ≤ √ for n > 1.
n n
∞ ∞
X X 1
We saw previously that an = √ diverges (p-series with p = 12 < 1).
n=1 n=1
n
∞
X arctan n
Therefore, by the Term-size Comparison Test, √ also diverges.
n=1
n

1
Math 2300: Calculus II Comparison Test Practice

∞
X 1
3.
en
+ n2
n=1 1 1
Solution: Term-size Comparison Test. Let an = and bn = 2 (both positive).
en + n2 n
1 1
≤ 2 for any n > 0.
e n + n2 n
∞ ∞
X X 1
We saw previously that bn = converges (p-series, p = 2 > 1).
n2
n=1 n=1
∞
X 1
Therefore, by the Term-size Comparison Test, also converges.
e + n2
n
∞ n=1
X 1
4.
e n − n2 1 1
n=1
Solution: Limit Comparison Test. Let an = n and bn = n (both positive).
e e − n2
an en − n2 n2
lim = lim = 1 − lim = 1 (By L’Hopital’s Rule). The limit is finite
n→∞ bn n→∞ en n→∞ en
and not zero, so the Limit Comparison Test applies.
∞ ∞  n
X 1 X 1
n
= is a convergent geometric series (r = 1e < 1).
e e
n=1 n=1
∞
X 1
Therefore, by the Limit Comparison Test, also converges.
∞
e − n2
n
X 3n − 2 n=1
5.
2n3 + 5
n=1
3n − 2 3n
Solution: Term-size Comparison Test. Let an = 3
and bn = 3 (both positive).
2n + 5 n
3n − 2 3n
3
≤ 3 for any n > 0.
2n + 5 n
∞ ∞
X 3n ∞
X X 1
bn = = 3 converges (p-series, p = 2, which is greater than 1).
n3 n2
n=1 n=1 n=1
∞
X 3n − 2
Therefore, by the Term-size Comparison Test, also converges.
2n3 + 5
n=1
∞
X n2 − n + 5
6.
n3 − 3n + 6 n2 − n + 5 1
Solution:
n=1 Limit Comparison Test. Let an = 3 and bn = (both positive).
n − 3n + 6 n
an n3 − n2 + 5 1 − n1 + n53
lim = lim 3 = lim = 1. The limit is finite and not zero,
n→∞ bn n→∞ n − 3n + 6 n→∞ 1 − 32 + 63
n n
so the Limit Comparison Test applies.
∞ ∞
X X 1
bn = diverges (p-series, p = 1).
n
n=1 n=1
∞
X n2 − n + 5
Therefore, by the Limit Comparison Test, also diverges.
n3 − 3n + 6
n=1
2