Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
Calculus II help. Have a test coming?
Dtermine whether the series converges or diverges:
infinite(sigma)k=1... (-1^k)/sqrt(k^2 +6)
2 Answers
- The Integral ∫Lv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
I have used the Ratio test, and it is inconclusive, which no conclusion can be drawn about the convergence or divergence.
since it is Alternating, it is Alternating Series Test,
we have to try three rules:
( i )
it is alternating ====> true
( ii )
lim b_k = 0
k--> ∞
b_k = 1/√(k^2)
b_k = 1/k
lim (1/k) = (1/∞) = 0 but k^1, the exponent here is 1 which is divergent by p-series test since 1 ≤ 1
k--> ∞
let's try the third rule to see if convergent because if not, it will be divergent.
( iii )
b_(k + 1) ≤ b_k
1/(k + 1) ≤ 1/k when n = 1 ------> 1/2 ≤ 1 ------> true
1/(k + 1) ≤ 1/k when n = 2 ------> 1/3 ≤ 1/2 ------> true
1/(k + 1) ≤ 1/k when n = 3 ------> 1/4 ≤ 1/3
o we have check mark for the three rules, it is convergent by alternating series test, but since the p-series is divergent here(making a trouble for it), it is CONDITIONALLY CONVERGENT.
=========
free to e-mail if have a question
- 9 years ago
It converges. In fact, it converges conditionally.
Observe that the function 1/â(k² + 6) is a sequence of positive real numbers that are monotonically decreasing to 0. Hence, by the alternating series test, â(k=1 to â) (-1)^k / â(k² + 6) is convergent.
To see why it only converges conditionally, observe that:
â(k=1 to â) | (-1)^k / â(k² + 6) |
= â(k=1 to â) 1 / â(k² + 6),
which is divergent if you use the limit comparison test with the harmonic series = â(k=1 to â) 1 / k.