Solutions of Some Problems from Assignment Sheet-II

M.T.Nair
Department of Mathematics, IIT Madras

August 30, 2013

P∞
1. To test the convergence of the series n=1 an :
√ √ P∞
n− n−1
(g) an = log(n+1) : The series n=1 an diverges since
√ √
n− n−1 1 1
an = = √ √ ≥ √ ,
log(n + 1) ( n + n − 1) log(n + 1) (2 n − 1) log(n + 1)
√ √
log(n + 1) = 2 log n + 1 ≤ 2 n + 1,
1 1 1 1
an ≥ √ ≥ √ √ = p ≥ ,
(2 n − 1) log(n + 1) 4 n−1 n+1 2
4 (n − 1) 4n
P∞
and n=21/n diverges.
Pn P∞
4. Given: an > 0, sn = k=1 ak , n=1 an diverges.
P∞ an
(a) To prove n=1 1+a n
diverges:
P∞ an an
Suppose n=1 1+a converges, and let bn = . Then
n 1 + an
an bn
bn = ⇐⇒ an = bn (1 + an ) ⇐⇒ (1 − bn )an = bn ⇐⇒ an = .
1 + an 1 − bn
Thus,
∞
X an
converges =⇒ bn → 0 =⇒ an → 0.
n=1
1 + an
Then there exists M > 0 such that an ≤ M for all n ∈ N. Hence
∞
an an X
≥ =⇒ an converges.
1 + an 1+M n=1

P∞ an
(b) To prove n=1 sn diverges:
P∞ an
Let sn be the n-th partial sum of n=1 sn . Then for any m, k ∈ N,
am+1 am+k sm+k − sm sm
σm+k − σm = + ··· + ≥ =1− .
sm+1 sm+k sm+k sm+k

1
 sm 1
For every fixed m, sm+k → ∞ as k → ∞. Let Nm such that sm+k ≤ 2 for all k ≥ Nm . Then
we have
σm+k − σm ≥ 1/2 ∀ k ≥ Nm .

Therefore, (σn ) is not a Cauchy sequence.

P∞
5. Given: an ≥ an+1 ≥ 0 for all n ∈ N and n=1 an converges. To check the convergence of (nan ):
Note that

na2n = a2n + a2n + · · · + a2n ≤ an+1 + an+2 + · · · + a2n = s2n − sn → 0.

Hence 2na2n → 0. Also,

(2n + 1)a2n+1 ≤ (2n + 1)a2n = 2na2n + a2n → 0.

Thus, taking bn = nan , b2n → 0 and b2n+1 → 0. Hence, bn = nan → 0.

P∞
7. To decide the absolute/conditional convergence of n=1 an , where
(iii)

1.3.5. · · · (2n − 1) (2n)! (2n)!

an = (−1)n = (−1)n 2
= (−1)n 2n = (−1)n un
2.4.6. · · · (2n) [2.4.6. · · · (2n)] 2 (n!)2

We show that (un ) decreasing and un → 0:

un+1 2n + 1
= < 1;
un 2n + 2
n n+1 2.4.6. · · · (2n) 1
≤ =⇒ un < =⇒ u2n < → 0 =⇒ un → 0.
n+1 n+2 1.3.5. · · · (2n + 1) 2n + 1