1.

sequences
(1) An ordered set of real numbers

is

a ,a ,a ,...,an
1 2 3
called a sequence and is denoted by ( ).
an
If the number of terms is unlimited , then the sequence is said to
be an infinite sequence and

an

is its general term.

For instance (i) 1,3,5,7,,(2n-1),,

(ii) 1,1/2,1/3,,1/n,...,
(iii) 1,-1,1,-1,, (-1) n -1, are infinite sequences.
(2) Limit. A sequence is said to tend to a limit
a value N of n can be found such that
We then write

lim
( a )=l
x n

, if for every >0 ,

a n - l <

or simply

for n N .

(an ) l

as

(3) Convergence. If a sequence (

an

) has a finite limit, it is

called a convergent sequence .

If (

an

) is not convergent, it is said to be divergent.

In the above examples ,(ii) is convergent, while (i) and (iii) are
divergent.

(4) Bounded sequence. A sequence (

,if there exists a number

an

such that

) is said to be bounded

an < k

(5) Monotonic sequence. the sequence (

an

for every n.

) is said to increase

steadily or to decrease steadily according as

for all values of

n+1

an

or

n1

an

Both increasing and decreasing sequences are called monotonic

sequences.
A monotonic sequence always tends to alimit , finite or infinite .
Thus, a sequence which is monotonic and bounded is
convergent.

2. series
(1) Def .if

be an infinite sequence of

u ,u ,u ,......,un,...
1 2 3
real numbers , then
u u u ......,un ......
1 2 3

Is called an infinite series. An infinite series is denoted by

un

and the sum of its first

terms is denoted by

sn

(2) Convergence, divergence and oscillation of a series .

Consider the infinite series
And let the sum of the first
Clearly ,

is a function of

sn
three possibilities arise.

un u u u ..... un .....
1 2 3
terms be

and as

sn u u u ..... un
1 2 3
increases indefinitely

(i) If

Sn

tends to a finite limit as

, the series

un

is

said to be convergent.
(ii) If

Sn

tends to

as

,the series

un

is said to

be divergent .
(iii) If

Sn

does not tend to a unique limit as

the series

un

, then

is said to be oscillatory or non-convergent.

Examine for convergence the series

1 2 3...... n......
. Here

sn 1 2 3 ...... n n( n 1)
2

lim s n=1 lim n( n 1)

n
2 n

Hence this series is

divergent.

Test the convergence of the series

5 41 5 41 5 41.....
.
sn 5 41 5 41 5 41 .....n
. Here

terms
9

=0,5 or 1 according as the number of terms is 3m,3m+1,

3m+2. clearly in this case,

Sn

does not tend to a unique limit.

Hence the series is oscillatory .

Geometric series
Show that the series
(i) Converges if
(iii) oscillates if

1 r r 2 r 3 ......

,(ii) diverges if
r 1
r 1

r 1

, and

10

. Let

sn 1 r r 2 ...... r n1
Case . When
.
n
r 1, lim r =0

n
Also
so that
1
1r n
1 rn
lims

sn

n
n
1r
1r 1r 1r
The series is convergent .

11

Case

. (i) When r >1 ,

lim r
n
Also
so that
.
r n 1 r n
1
sn

lim s
r 1 r 1 r 1
n n
The series is divergent .

(ii) When r =1 ,then

and

lim s
n n

sn 1 1 1....... 1 n
the series is divergent.

12

Case

. (i) When r =-1 , then the series becomes 1-1+1-

1+1-1.which is an oscillatory series.

(ii) When r < -1 , let r = -p so that p >1 Then
and

1r n 1(
1)n p n
sn

1r
1 p

as

.
r n ( 1)n pn

lim pn
n
according as n is even or odd.

lim sn or
n
Hence the series oscillates.

13

3. GENERAL PROPERITIES OF SERIES

The truth of the following properties is self evident and
these may be regarded as axioms :
1. The convergence or divergence of an infinite series
remains unaffected by the addition or removal of a finite
number of its terms ; for the sum of these terms being

14

the finite quantity does not on addition or removal alter the

nature of its sum.
2. If a series in which all the terms are positive is
convergent , the series remains convergent even when
some or all of its terms are negative ; for the sum is
clearly the greatest when all the terms are positive .

15

3. The convergence or divergence of an infinite series remains

unaffected by multiplying each term by a finite number .

4. Series of positive terms

1. An infinite series in which all the terms after some particular
term are positive term series .

16

e.g., -7-5-2+2+7+13+20+is a positive term series as all its

terms after the third are positive .
2. A series of positive terms either converges or diverges to
+

; for the sum of its first n terms , omitting the negative

terms , tends to either a finite limit or +

17

3. Necessary condition for convergence . If a positive term

series
Let

un

is convergent , then

sn u1 u2 u3 ...... un.

since

un

limu 0.
n n
is given to be convergent .

finite quantity k (say) . Also

lim sn a
lim sn 1 k
n
n
But
Hence the
un sn sn 1 limun lim( sn sn 1) 0
n
n
result.

18

Obs . 1 . It is important to note that the converse of this

result is not true.
Consider, for instance , the series
Since the term go on descending ,
sn 1

1
2

1
3

......

1
n

1
2

1
3

......

1
1
1

......
n
n
n
n
n

1
n

i.e.

......

lim sn lim n
n n

19

Thus the series is divergent even though

Hence

limun lim 1 0
n n n
is a necessary but not sufficient condition

limu 0
n n
for convergence of

nn

Obs. 2. The above result leads to a simple test for divergence :

If

limu 0
n n

, the series

nn

must be divergent .

20

5. COMPARISON TESTS

If two positive term series

(i)

vn
un

converges ,

(ii)

un

and

un vn

vn

be such that

for all values of n , then

also converges .

Proof . Since

vn

is convergent ,

21

a finite quantity k (say)

lim( v1 v2 v3 ...... vn )
n
Also since
u1 v1,u2 v2,........,un vn

Adding,

u1u2 ......un v1v2 ......vn

lim( u1u2 ...... un ) lim( v1 v2 ...... vn ) k.

n
n
un
Hence the series

also converges .

22

Obs . If , however ,the relation

un vn

holds for values of n

greater than a fixed number m , then the first m terms of

both the series can be ignored without affecting their
convergence or divergence .
II. If two positive term series

un

and

vn

be such that :

23

(i)

vn

diverges , (ii)

un vn

for all values of n , then

un

also diverges . Its proof is similar to that of Test I .

III . Limit form
If two positive term series

un

and

vn

be such that

and
converge
un finite quantity ( ) , then
vn
lim
un
0
nvn
or diverge together .

24

Proof . Since

, a finite number ( )
un
0
limv l
n n

By definition of a limit , there exists a positive number

small , such that

uhowever
n l
n m
vn
for
or
un
n m
v l
n
for
or
un
l v l
n m
n
for
25

Omitting the first m terms of both the series , we have

for all n

u
l vn l
n

Case I When

vn

.. (1)

is convergent, then
a finite number

..(2)

lim( v v ...... vn ) k,
n 1 2
Also from (1) , u
i.e.
for all n .
n l ,
un ( l )vn
vn
by (2)
lim( u1u2 ...... un )( l )lim( v1 v2 ...... vn )( l )k
n
n

26

Hence

un

is also convergent .

Case II . When

vn

is divergent , then

lim( v v ...... vn )
n 1 2
Also from (1)
u
l vn
n

.(3)
or

un >( l )vn

for all n

lim( u1u2 ...... un )( l )lim( v1 v2 ...... vn )

n
n
Hence
is also divergent .
un

[by (3)

27

6. INTEGRAL TEST
A positive term series f(1)+f(2)++f(n)+..,
where f(n) decreases as n increases , converges or
diverges according as the integral

f ( x)dx...(1)

is finite or infinite.

28

The area under the curve y=f(x), between any two ordinates
lies between the set of inscribed and escribed rectangles
formed by ordinates at x=1,2,3, as in Fig 6.1 Then
n1

f (1) f (2) ... f (n) f ( x)dx f (2) f (3) ... f (n 1)

1
n 1

sn f ( x)dx sn1 f (1)

1

29

y f ( x)

0
1 2 3

n n 1

Fig 6.1

Taking limits as
that limit

,we find from the second inequality

sn1 f ( x)dx f (1)

1

30

Hence if integral (1) is finite , so is limit

sn1

. Similarly , from

the first inequality , we see that if the integral (1) is infinite ,

so is limit

sn

diverges to +

.But the given series either converges or

, i.e. limit

sn

either finite or infinite

Hence the result follows.

31

show that the harmonic series of order p

i.e.
for p

1
1 1
1
p p p ......

p
1
2
3
n 1 n

Converges for p>1 and diverges

1.

By the above test , this series will converge or diverge

according as

dx
1 x p

is finite or infinite.

32

If p

1,

1 p
dx
m dx
m
1
)
p lim p lim (
1

p
m1 x
m
1x

p 1

, i.e. finite

If p=1,

dx
1 x 1 log x

for p>1
for p<1

,this proves the result.

33

test for convergence the series

1
3
5

......
1 2
3 2 3 4 3 4 5

2 1
2n 1
1
n
un
2
n ( n 1)( n 2) n (1 1 )(1 2 )
n
n
2 1
Then
u
20
n
1 2
lim n lim

n vn n (1 1 n)(1 2 n) (1 0)(1 0)
n

. We have
Take

vn

=2 , which is finite and non zero.

34

Both
But

vn

and

un

vn = 12
n

Hence

un

converge or diverge together.

is known to be convergent.

is also convergent.
Test the convergence of the series :

(i)

n 1

1
n ( n 1)

(ii)

n
n
n 1 x x

35

. (i) We have

un

n 1 n
n 1 n
( n 1 n )( n 1 n )

1 12
n [(1 ) 1]
n

(Expanding by Binomial Theorem)

1
1
1
1
1 1 1
n{(1 2 ......) 1} n ( 2 ......)
( ......)
2 n 8n
2 n 8n
n 2 8n
Taking
, We have
vn 1 /

un
1 1
1
lim
lim ( ......)
2
u vn n 2 8n

which is finit and non

zero.

36

Both

But

un

vn 1

and
n

vn

converge or diverge together.

is known to be divergent . Hence

un

is also

divergent.
(ii) When x<1, comparing the given series
We get
[

un

with

vn x n

un
1
1
1
lim
lim ( n
n ) lim ( 2 n ) 1
n
x
n vn n x x
n x 1

Q x 2 n 0 as n

37

But

vn

is convergent , so

When x>1, comparing

un

un

is also convergent.

with

wn x

,we get

un
1
1
n
2 n
lim
lim ( n

x
)

lim
(
)

1
[
Q
x
0 as n
n
2 n
w
x

x
1

x
n n n
n

But

wn

is convergent, so

When x=1,
Hence ,

un

un

un

1 1 1
......
2 2 2

is also convergent.

Which is divergent.

converges for x<1 and x>1 but diverges for x=1.

38

7. COMPARISON OF RATIOS
If

un

if (i)

and

vn

be two positive term series , then

un

converges

converges ,and (ii) from and after some particular term,

vn

un+1
v
< n+1
un
vn

8. DALEMBERTS RATIO TEST

In a positive term series
converges for

un

if

, then the series

un 1
lim

n un

and diverges for

39

Test for convergence the series

(i)
(ii)

x2
x4
x6

.......
2 1 3 2 4 3 5 4
1

2
6 2 14 3
2 n 2 n 1
1 x x x ... n
x ...(x 0).
5
9
17
2 1

. (i)We have

x 2 n 2
un
(n 1) n

and

un 1

x 2n

(n 2) n 1

un 1
x 2n
(n 1) n
n 1 n 1 2 2
lim
lim
2 n 2
lim [
(
) ]x
x
n un
n (n 2) (n 1)
n n 2 n 1

40

11 n
1
converges if 2
2
2 .Hence
lim [

] x x
un
x 1
1

2
n
(1

1
n
)
u

and diverges if
If

x 1
2

Taking

Both

,then ,

1
vn 3 2
n

un

1
vn n 3 2

x 1
2

un

1
1
1
32
(n 1) n n 1 1 n

,we get lim un lim,

and

n vn

vn

1
1
n 11 n

afinite quantity.

converge or diverge together. But

is a convergent series.

41

un

is also convergent. Hence the given series converges if

x 1
2

(ii) Here

and diverges if

x 1
2

n 1

un 1 2 2 n
2 1
n 1
x n
un
2 1
2 2 x n 1
n

u
2 0 1 0
lim n 1

x x
2 0 1 0
n un

Thus by Ratio test,

un

2
1
2 n 1 n
2
2 x
1
2
2 n 1 n
2
2

converges for x<1 and diverges for

x>1. But it fail for x=1.

42

2
n
When x=1,
2 2
2
lim un lim n
lim
1 0
n
n 2 1 n 1 1
diverges for x=1. Hence the given series
2n converges for
n

un

x<1 and diverges for x

1.

Discuss the convergence of the series

(i)

n2

n
3
n 1

(ii)

2 3 4
3 4 ......
2
2 3 4

43

. (i) We have

n2
( n 1) 2
un n and un 1
3
3n 1

un 1
(n 1) 2 3n
1
1 2 1
lim
lim
2 lim (1 ) which is 1.
n 1
n n3
n
3
n un n 3
Hence the given series is convergent.
(ii) Given series is

n
un 1
(n 1) n n
nn
1
u

.
Here

n
n
un
(n 1)n 1 n ( n 1) n (1 1 ) n
n 1 n
n

un 1
1 n 1
lim
1 { lim (1 ) }
, which is 1.
n
e
n un
n
Hence the given series is convergent.

44

9. ALTERNATING SERIES
(1) Def. A series in which the terms are alternately positive or
negative is called an alternating series.
(2) Leibnitzs rule*. An alternating series

u1 u2 u3 u4 ......

converges if (i) each term is numerically less than its

preceding term, and (ii)

lim un 0.
n

45

If

lim un 0
n

,the given series is oscillatory.

The given series is

Suppose
and

u1 u2 u3 u4 ......

u1 u2 u3 u4 ...... un 1......

lim un 0
n

(1)
(2)

Consider the sum of 2n terms. It can be written as

s2n (u1 u 2 ) (u 3 u 4 ) ...... (u 2n 1 u 2 n )

or as

s2 n u1 (u 2 u 3 ) (u 4 u 5 )...... u 2 n

(3)
(4)

46

By virtue of (1), the expressions within the brackets in (3) and

(4) are all positive.

It follows from (3) that

s2n

Also from (4), We note that

Hence

s2n

is positive and increases with n.

s2n

always remains less than

u1

must tend to a finite limit.

47

Moreover
(2)
Thus

lim s2 n 1 lim (s 2 n u 2 n 1 ) lim s2 n 0.

n
n
n

lim sn
n

[by

tends to the same finite limit whether n is even

or odd.
Hence the given series is convergent.
When

lim un 0, lim s2 n lim s2 n 1.

n
n
n

The given series is

oscillatory.

48

Discuss the convergence of the series

(i)

(ii) 5 7 9 11

1
1
1
1

......
2
3
4

......

(i) The terms of the given series are alternately positive

and negative ; each term is numerically less than its preceding

term

[Q un un 1

1
0
(n 1)

49

Also

lim un lim (1
n
n

n ) 0.

Hence by Leibnitzs rule,the

given series is convergent.

(ii) The terms of the given series are alternately positive and
negative and
i.e.

2n 3 2n 1
6
un un 1

0 for n 1.
2n
2n 2 4n( n 1)

un un 1 for n 1.

Also

2n 3
lim un lim
1 0
n
n 2n

Hence by Leibnitzs rule , the given series is oscillatory.

50

Examine the character of the series

(i)

(ii)

( 1) n 1 n
.

n 1 2n 1

( 1) n 1 x n
, 0 x 1.

n 2 n ( n 1)

(i) The terms of the given series are alternately positive

and negative ; and each term is numerically less than its

preceding term.

[Q un un 1

n
n 1
1

0
2n 1 2n 3 (2 n 1)(2 n 3)

51

But

n
1
1 which is not zero.
lim un lim
lim

n
n 2n 1 n 2 1 n 2

Hence the given series is oscillatory.

(ii) The terms of the given series are alternately positive and
negative
xn
x n 1
x n 1[(n 2) x n ]
un un 1

0 for n 2, (Q 0 x 1)
n( n 1) (n 1)(n 2)
n( n 1)( n 2)

i.e.,

un un 1 for n 2.

Also

xn
lim un lim
0 (Q 0 x 1)
n
n n ( n 1)

Hence the given series is convergent.

52

10.SERIES OF POSITIVE
OR NEGATIVE TERMS
The series of positive terms and the alternating series are
special types of these series with arbitrary signs.
Def. (1) If the series of arbitrary terms
be such that the series

u1 u2 u3 ...... un ......

u1 u2 u3 ...... un ......

is convergent, then the series

is said to be absolutely

convergent.
53

(2) If

is divergent but

is convergent, then

is

said to be conditionally convergent.

For instance, the series

1
1
1
1
1 2 2 2 2 ......
2
3
4
5

is absolutely convergent, since the series

1

1
1
1
1

......
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
5

is known to be convergent.

54

Again ,since the alternating series

1 1 1 1
......
2 3 4 5

is convergent, and the series of absolute values

1

1 1 1 1
......
2 3 4 5

is divergent, so the original series is

conditionally convergent.

55

Test whether the series

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

......
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

is convergent or not ?
The series of absolute terms is

1
1
1
1
1

......
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
5
6

which is, evidently convergent.

The given series is absolutely convergent and hence it is
convergent.

56

Test

( 1) n

2
n 2 n (log n )

for convergence and

absolute convergence.
The terms of the given series are alternately positive
or negative. Also each term is numerically less than the
preceding term and

lim un lim {1 n (log n) 2 } 0

n
n

57

Hence, the given series is convergent by Leibnitzs rule.

Also

dx
1
1

x (log x ) 2
log x 2 log 2

which is a finite quantity.

Thus the given series is absolutely convergent.

Test the series for conditional
convergence
1 1
1
1
3 (1 2) 3 (1 2 3) 3 (1 2 3 4) ....
3
2 3
4
5

58

Here

un ( 1)

n 1

( 1)

(1 2 3 .... n)
n 1 n ( n 1)
( 1)
3
(n 1)
2( n 1)3

n 1

Then

n
n 1

1)
an (say).
2
2( n 1)

1
n
n 1
1 n2 n 1
an an 1 [

0.
2
2
2
2
2 ( n 1)
(n 2)
2 (n 1) (n 2)
i.e.
Also
1
n
lim an
lim
0.
an 1 an .
2
2 n (n 1)
n

Thus by Leibnitzs rule,

and therefore

is convergent.

59

Also

. Taking
1 n
1 we note that
un
vn ,
2
2 n 1
n

un
1
n2
1
lim

lim

0
2
2 n n 1 2
n vn

Since
i.e.

is divergent, therefore

Is convergent but
n

Thus the given series

is also divergent.

is divergent.

un

is conditionally convergent.

60