Infinite Series

Definition
If {un} is a sequence and sn = u1 + u2 + u3 + … + un, then
{sn} is a sequence of partial sums called an infinite series
denoted by


u
n 1
n
 u1  u2    un  

This implies that

S1  u1
S2  u1  u2
S3  u1  u2  u3

Sn  u1  u2  u3    un .

Infinite Series
Example
You have a 2-ft piece of wood, cut equally into two
pieces. Separate one piece and cut the other equally into two
pieces and the process continues.

1 1 1 1
1    n1
  2
2 4 8 2

S1  1
S2  1  21
S3  1  21  41
S4  1  21  41  81

Sn  1  21  41  81    1

2n 1

Infinite Series
Infinite Series of Constant Terms

Example
Identify the first five terms of the sequence of partial
 n
1
sums of the infinite series
 2 
n 0  3 
.

0
 1
S0  2    2 1= 2
3
1 1
 1  1 8
S1  S0  2    2  2   
3 3 3
2 2
 1 8  1 26
S2  S1  2     2   
3 3 3 9
3 3
 1 26  1 80
S3  S 2  2     2  
3 9 3 27
4 4
 1 80  1 242
S4  S3  2     2  
3 27 3 81
Infinite Series
Definition
Let ∑un denote a given infinite series for which {Sn} is a
sequence of partial sums. If lim S n exists and is equal to S,
n  

then the series is convergent and S is the sum of the series.

If the lim S n does not exist, then the series is divergent and
n  

the series does not have a sum.

Infinite Series
Example

1
Determine whether the series 2
n 1
n converges or
diverges.

S1 
1
2
S2  3
4
S3  7
8
S 4  16
15


2 n 1
Sn  2 n

Infinite Series
Example
Given  2n112n1 . Find a formula for S
n and solve for S.

S1 
1
3
S2  1 1

3 15
S3  1 1
 
1
3 15 35
S4  1 1
 
1

1
3 15 35 63

Sn 

Infinite Series

1
2n  12n  1

1 A B
 
2n  12n  1 2n  1 2n  1

1 1 1 
 
1
   
2n  12n  1 2  2n  1 2n  1 
 1 1 1 
 
1
   
2n  12n  1 2  2n  1 2n  1 

Sn 
Example
 2n 
Write   in sigma notation.
 3n  1

2n
Sn 
3n  1

un  Sn  Sn1
Exercises
A. Determine if convergent or divergent. If convergent, find S.
 
1 n
1. 3. ln
3n  13n  2 n 1

5
2
2. n 1

B. Write in sigma notation and find S.

1. ln (2n  1)

1
2.  n 
3 
Definition
An infinite series of the form

 ar n1  a  ar  ar 2  ...  ar n1  ...

is a geometric series with ratio r.


1

n 1 2
n

Theorem
a
The geometric series converges to the sum 1  r if r 1

and diverges if r  1.
Theorem
Let c be any non-zero constant.

1. If the series u n is convergent and its sum is S, then

the series  cu n is also convergent and its sum is cS.

2. If the series u n is divergent, then the series  cu n

is also divergent.

3. If a n and b n are convergent infinite series with sum

S and T respectively, then the series  a n  bn  is also
convergent and its sum is S  T.
4. If the series a n is convergent and the series b n

is divergent, then the series  a n  bn  is divergent.

5. If the series a n and the series b n are two infinite

series differing only on their 1st m terms, the either both
converge or both diverge.


1
6. The harmonic series n
is divergent
Examples:


1
1.
4n

 1 1 
2.  
 4n

4 n




1
3.
n4
Exercises
A. Determine if the given is convergent or divergent. Justify your answer.
If convergent, find S.

  e 
2n  1 3
  e n
6. n
1. 10.
3n  2 2n

n
2
2.   
3
7. 2
3
n

n
 45
1
3. ln
n
8.   
37

4.  e n
9. 
7
 n 
5 

5 7n 


1
5.
n2