Power Series: The radius and interval of convergence

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More Challenging Problems

Find the radius and interval of convergence of these power series.

1. ∑n=1xn/√n

Answer

1. The radius of convergence is 1, the interval of convergence is [-1,1).

Solution

1. Apply the Ratio Test limn → ∞|(xn+1/√(n+1))/(xn/√n)| = limn → ∞ |x|⋅√(n/(n+1)) = |x| By the Ratio Test, the series converges for |x| < 1, that is, -1 < x < 1. The radius of convergence is 1. At the left endpoint, the series becomes ∑n=1(-1)n/√n. This converges by the Alternating Series Test. At the right endpoint, the series becomes ∑n=11/√n. This is a p-series with p = 1/2, so diverges. The interval of convergence is [-1,1).

 

2. ∑n=1(x-1)n/(n 5n)

Answer

1. The radius of convergence is 5, the interval of convergence is [-4,6).

Solution

1. Apply the Ratio Test limn → ∞|((x-1)n+1/((n+1)5n+1) / ((x-1)n/(n 5n)| = limn → ∞ |(x-1)n+1/(x-1)n|⋅(n/(n+1))⋅(5n/5n+1) = |x-1|/5 By the Ratio Test, the series converges for |x-1|/5 < 1, that is for -5 < x-1 < 5, or -4 < x < 6. The radius of convergence is 5. At the left endpoint the series becomes ∑n=1(-5)n/(n 5n) = ∑n=1(-1)n/n convergent by the Alternating Series Test. At the right endpoint the series becomes ∑n=1(5)n/(n 5n)= ∑n=1 1/n This is the harmonic series, hence divergent. The interval of convergence is [-4, 6).

 

3. ∑n=2(-1)nxn/(2nln(n))

Answer

1. The radius of convergence is 2, the interval of convergence is (-2,2].

Solution

1. Apply the Ratio Test limn → ∞|((-1)n+1xn+1)/(2n+1ln(n+1)) / ((-1)nxn)/2nln(n))| = limn → ∞ |-(xn+1/xn)|⋅(2n/2n+1)⋅(ln(n)/ln(n+1)) = |-x|/2 where limn → ∞ln(n)/ln(n+1) = 1 is obtained by applying l’Hôpital’s rule to limx → ∞ln(x)/ln(x+1) By the Ratio Test, the series converges for |-x|/2 < 1, that is, for -2 < x < 2. The radius of convergence is 2. At the left endpoint, the series becomes ∑n=2(-1)n(-2)n/(2nln(n))= ∑n=2 2n/(2n ln(n))) = ∑n=21/ln(n) Now ln(n) < n, so 1/ln(n) > 1/n and the series diverges by comparison with the harmonic series. At the right endpoint, the series becomes ∑n=2∞(-1)n2n/(2nln(n)) = ∑n=2 (-1)n/ln(n) converging by the Alternating Series Test. The interval of convergence is (-2,2].

 

4. ∑n=1(3x + 1)n/n2

Answer

1. The radius of convergence is 1/3, the interval of convergence is [-2/3, 0].

Solution

1. Apply the Ratio Test limn → ∞|((3x+1)n+1/(n+1)2) / ((3x+1)n/n2)|= limn → ∞ |(3x+1)n+1/(3x+1)n|⋅(n2/(n+1)2)= |3x+1| By the Ratio Test, the series converges for |3x+1| < 1, that is, -1 < 3x+1 < 1, so -2 < 3x < 0, giving -2/3 < x < 0. The radius of convergence is 1/3. At the left endpoint, the series becomes ∑n=1 (-1)n/n2 convergent by the Alternating Series Test. At the right endpoint, the series becomes ∑n=1 1n/n2 convergent, being a p-series with p= 2. The interval of convergence is [-2/3, 0].

 

5. ∑n=1xn/nn

Answer

1. The radius of convergence is ∞, the interval of convergence is (-∞, ∞).

Solution

1. Apply the Ratio Test: limn → ∞|(xn+1/(n+1)n+1)/(xn/nn)| = limn → ∞ |xn+1/xn|⋅((nn)/((n+1)n+1)) = limn → ∞|x|⋅(n/(n+1))n⋅(1/(n+1)) = 0 for all x Here we have used limn → ∞(1 + 1/n)n= e, we see limn → ∞(n/(n+1))n= 1/e to be sure we needn’t be concerned with the factor (n/(n+1))n in the limit. By the Ratio Test, this series converges for al x, so the radius of convergence is ∞ and the interval of convergence is (-∞, ∞).