Calculus
Lesson
51
Comparison
of Series
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Next test of convergence: Comparison (two methods).
Direct Comparison: let for all n, then
if converges, then converges.
if diverges, then diverges.
This is basically a squeeze theorem!
Example: To check, note that it looks like ,
so that's what we'll compare it to.
Since converges and we know ,
we also know converges.
Example: We could compare it to , which diverges.
However, since , so the test doesn't tell us anything.
But, we CAN compare the series to diverges and
for , so diverges.
There's also the Limit Comparison Test: for
if then and either both converge or both diverge.
Examples: take limit with
take limit with
take limit with
take limit with harmonic
(generalized harmonic)
Back to Dr. Nandor's Calculus Notes Page
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