GENERAL SERIES

Structure
7.1 Introduction
Objeclives
7.2 Alternating Series
Leibnitz'? Test
7.3 Absolute and conditional Convergence
7.4 Rearrangement of Series
7.5 Summary
7.6 Answers/Hints/Solutions

7.1 INTRODUCTION
. P

In Unit 6, we dealt with the positive term series. Accordingly, we developed the convergence
tests which are applicable only to the positive term series. But, as you are aware that, an
infinite series need not be always a positive term series. In fact, an infinite series, in
general, can have both an infinite number of negative tems as well as an infinite number of
positive terms. The series which have both negative and positive terms may be classified
into two major categories. The first category consists of those infinite series whose terms are
alternately positive and negative. Such series are called Alternating Series. The other
category is one in which tems need not necessarily be alternately positive and negative that
is to say, the infinite series whose terms are mixed and do not follow any pattern of being
positive or negative.
For example, the infinite series

has alternately positive and negative terms, whereas the infinite series

does not follow any specific pattem.

The question, therefore, arises: How to test the convergence of such infinite
series? The convergence tests discussed in Unit 6 are not suitable enough for the purpose
because these tests in their present form cannot be applied to these series. Hence, we have to
either modify these tests or devise new tests of convergence for such series.
'

We shall discuss an important test applicable to the series with terms alternately positive and
negative. This test is known as Leibnitz test.
To determine the convergence of other infinite series having no pattern of p~sitiveand
negative terms, we shall introduce the notions of Absolute and Conditional
Convergence of the infinite series. Finally, +e shall have a brief discussion on the
method of Rearrangement'of series. There are a few more categories of general series viz.
Power-Series which we intend to discuss in some other advanced level course in Analysis at
a later stage.

Objectives
Therefore, after studying this unit, you should be able to
* recognize an Alternating Series
m- apply the Leibnitz Test to know the convergence of an Alternating Series I

* identify an absolutely convergent series and a conditionally Convergent Series

* have an idea about the method of rearrangement of the terms of an infinite series to
'

know its convergence or divergence.

 - ---- --------- -- --
Gcnerol Series
7.2 ALTERNATING SERIES

In this section, we shall consider serieb whose terms are alternately positive and negative.
Such series are called 'Alternating Series'.
For example, the infinite series

and
-1 "I- 2 - 3 + 4 - 5 + ..............
are alternating series. Formally, we define an alternating series in the following way :
m

DEFINITION 1 : An infinite s e r i e s z u, i s called an Alternating Series if

n= l
any two consecutive terms of the series are of opposite sign.
(Y

An Alternating Series may, thus, be writtcn as

1Cl
(- 1) " + I u, = u, -u, + u, - u4 + ............
where, each u, =. 0.

If the first term i s negative, then it can be written as

m

G (-1) l1 U, = -11, "I- u2- us -+ ii4+.........,.....

1 ~ 1

The second series can be obtained from the first if you multiply each term of the first series
by -1. There:. ;e, it is enough to discuss the convergence of the first series.
Thcre is a vely simple test for the convergelice of itn Alternating Series provideti there is a
,.
sequence (s,) of partial sums of u , , u ............... which is ~nonatonicallydecreirsing and
converg nt to 0.This test is known as Leibnitz Tes.tafter the name of Leibnitz, the eminent
Gernlan mati~cmatician.

Let
-
THEOREM 1 : (Leibnitz Test).

(- 1) + ' u u , be an Alternating Series sucli that

n=l

(i) u i > O V i = 1, 2 , 3 , ......

( i i ) u , 2 u, 2 u, 2 ............... i,e.(u,) is a monotonically
decreasing sequerice
( i i i ) l i m u,, = 0.
n-3-

Then the series (- 1) +I u, is convergent.

n=l

PROOF : Note that we are assuming that the odd terms of the alternating series are
positive and the even terms are negative.
Let (s,,) be the sequence associated with the series

1
Let us first consider the partial sunis with odd index namely those ending in positive terms
i.e.
S I , S3, SS, ...............
Then, we have
s l = u , >O
s j = U , - U? + u3= sI -(uZ - 4 ) 5 S, since u2 2 u3.
Similarly, we have
Sg=Ui-U2-+U3-Uj+Ug
= S3 + Us - U4
sS - S 3 5 uS-u4<O
i.e. ss 5 s3 5 s,.
e
In general,
'2n.t.1
-- '2"-1 - ( ~ 2-" uzn+l) SZ~-I.
1
Scquenses & Series
This shows that (s,,-, ) is ,t mol~otonicdecreasing sequence. Also
S?,-l = (u! -u?) + (u) -Uq ) +.....-.+ ( u ~ n - ~~? n - ? ) + U2n-I 2 0.
This shows that (s2%,)
is bounded below with 0 as the lower bound.
Therefore (s2,,-])is a monotonic decreasing sequence which is bounded below. Hence it is
convergent.
Suppose converges to,a li~nits.
Then :?,m_
s ~ = ~s. - ~

In the same way, you can compute for the sequence of even partial sums and show that

S2n+? 2 s2,,
i.e. the sequence (s2")OT even partial sums is monotonically increasing.
Also

.
But u,, I; u, V i = 2, 3, ...
Therefore u2 - u, 2 0

......................
Hence
,s = u, - some positive quantity (number)
which, in turrm, shows that s, < u,, V n.
i
1'11~s(st,) is bounded above.
I
Hence (sZn)is convergent. Suppose it converges to a limit t. Then
lirn
"->- SZn = t.

Since u ~=, s, - s2,-,, we have, therefore, by the condition (ii)

Thus s = t.
Thus both (sZ,,)and ( s ~ , - ~converge
) to the same limit s.
Hence
lim
,+- s,-" s*

Finally, we shall show that the sequence ( s,) converges to s. Let E > 0 be given. Sipcg the ,
sequence (s2,,)converges to s, therefore there exists a positive integer n l , such that

Similarly, given E > 0, there exists a positive integer m, such that

1s s <a v (2n-1) > m,

Thus it follows that

I s,, -s / < E V n > max. (m,. m2)
This implies that ( s, ) converges to s or
lirn S, = S.
n-+-
Therefore it follows that the alternating series <General Series

11, - U., + u3 -uq + a....

converges to the limit s, which, in fact, is the sum of the series.

--- -

EXERCISE 1
Prove Theorem 1 for the Alternating Series of the form
m

(-1)" u, [that is, where the odd terms are negative and even terms are
n=l
positive].

From Unit 6 , you know that the condition pyaun = 0 is necessary for the convergence of
c4

every infinite series u,. But according to Leibnitz Test, if the given infinite series is an
n=l
alternating series decreasing in absolute values, then the conditioniFm11" = 0 is also
suf'icient for the convergence. Let us now study some examples and exercises:
EXAMPLE 1: Test the convergence of the Alternating Series

SOLUTION: This series is known as the Alternating Harmonic Series,

In this series the conditions of the LRibnitz Test are satisfied.
Here (i) each u i > O i = 1,2, .........
(ii) u l > U, >u3 > u4...........

Hence, the series is convergent. The limit or sum of this series is well-known and is equal to
log 2.
(See Example 6 in this section).

EXERCISE 2

Show that x.(-l)n+l -

0

n=l
3n
n
diverges. +2

EXAMPLE 2: Test the convergence of the Alternating Series

L L
SO1,UTION: Here since 3 > 32 > 33>...........,therefore first aud second conditions of the ..
Leibnitz test are satisfied.

:2mu, = !z 3. = 1 + 0. (R~callfrom Unit 6).

1
However,

Since the third condition of the Leibnitz test is not satisified, therefore the given series is
divergent.

EXERCISE 3
For what values of p does the series ,
1 1 1 1
+ ............... converge?

Now cansider, once again the Harmonic Series

I
Nrqurnres and Serics
Example 1) namely .
You know that this series diverges. But the Alternating 'Harmonic Series (as discussed in

converges. Thus, we have a series that converges only because some of its terms are
negative. If all the negative terms arc replaced by the corresponding positike terms, then the
convergence is demolished. To study this phenomenon in a !nore general way, we introduce
the notions of absolute convergence and conditio~~al convergence in the next section.

7.3 ABSBLIJTE AND CONDITIONAL

CONVERGENCE

Consider the following two series:

and

By the Leibnitz Test, both series converge.

Again co~lsiclerthe two series
1 1 1 1
iii) I t r + - + - -c - .............. and
2 4 8 1 6

obtained from (i) and (ii) by replacing each teim by its positive value.
The series (iii) converges, while the series (iv) diverges.
This leads us to divide the coIlvergant series into two classes, namely, the abso11.1tely
convergent series and the conditionally convergent series, which we define as follows:
00

DEFINITION 2::,et u, be a n infinite series of real numbers.

n=l

i) If lunl converges, then we say that the series u, converges

n= l n=l
absolutely.

i i ) If Z u,
n=l
converges b u t Z
n= l 1 unl diverges, we say t h l Z u,
n=l
converges
conditionally.
'
Thus the series (i) converges absolutely, wnile series (ii) converges condirin-

Nore that in (ii) we have defined Z u, to be conditionally conve. .,, 1s convergent

IFI d
1 u,, / is divergent In (i) we have defined
m 4 w

but u,, to be absolute& coqverpnt if

re1 ml

Iun/ is convergent. but we have not said anything about the behaviour o r
.-
" (-1)ntl
EXAMPLE 3: (i) the series is absolutely convergent.
n = ~ n2
( i i ) The series
" ()ntl
1 (L- (Alternating Harmonic Series)
n=l

and

are c o n d i t i o ~ ~ a l l convergent.
y
The following theorern provides thar we can produce exa~i~plcs of ;tbholutcly convel.geu[
series by changislg i3,lpebl';iic sig~;sill- somc or all of the lenils of ;\ collvergimt ~t'l.ii~s
of
pi'sitive terms.
THEOREM 2: If an infinite series is absolutely cornPe~-gelt;,
illen it is
convergent.

PROOF: Let 2 u,, be an absolutely convergcn, series i.e. ; LI,) is collcrrgent. 1-hcn MT
have to prove [hat C u,, is convtrge1;t.
Let ! s, ) be the sequence of partial s\ims of Z u,, . Then

It is enough to show rhal (s,,)is a Cnuchy sequence.

Let (t,,) be the aeq~lellceassociated with the series 1 u,, Sincc Z LI,, is c1111verge1ll. 1 1, 1
therefore (r,,) is also convergent. Thu\ ( I ,,) is a Cauchy sequcncc. In olher wol.rls. for an
E > 0,there exists H positive inteper 111 such \li;\~

/ t, I
- tk < E f i r rl rn. k ;.nl.

Suppose n > k. Then

Which shows t h n ~( s,, ) is ;i Cauchy sequence. This colnplete!, [he piaoof of !he llicorem.
Thus every absolutely convergent series is convergent. Tlw corivcrsc. howcvcr. is ncll rue.
That is to say that if a series is convergent, thrn i t lliay ti01 be absolulcly converrrent. Can
you give an example ? Try it.
EXAMPLE 4: Ttst the absolute and co~lditionalconvergence of the series

S O L U T I O N : Here
n= 1
1 u,, = ,,=I
I
5----
-11+ 1
I
Letv, = - for n = 1 , 2 , 3 ...............
n

Then the series

11-1
v,, =x ;is diverselit.
11-1
I

Also,

lim --= I l lim---.n 1

tI )LU vll 11-*.2n+ I -2
I-Iencc by comparison test. il I'ollows that
1 Sequences and Series
z 1 u, 1 is divergent. Thus
rn

n= 1

z- (-1)11+l
11=
2,,+, is not absolutely convergent.
1

L
However, since --> - ~ n .
2n+l 211-1

and lim-
1
n+.2n+l
= 0, therefore by Leibnitz test,
-
,=,
(-I)"+'
2n+l
is convergent. In other words, it
is a case of conditional convergence.
Now try the following exercises.

EXERCISE 4
i) Test the convergence and' absolute convergence of the series

ii) Determine the values of p for which the series

1
1- - + -
2'
1 -41P + 1
3 I)
- ...,......,....
converges conditionally.

All the tests of convergence of infinite series discussed in Unit 6 for series of positive term
can be used to decide absolute convergence of general series.
=a
cos n x
EXAMPLE 5: Test the series -F 9 x E R, for convergence.
n= 1

SOLUTION: Here u, =n, COS 11 X

Butx
ii=l
21 converges, (Recall from Unit 6, why it so?)
m

This means that the series u, is absolutely convergent.

IF=I

m m
cos n x
Hence, the series u, i.e. is convergent.
IF1 .*I n2
m
cos n x
Therefore I :
rI=1
-
n2
converges absolutely for all x G R.

EXERCISE 5
ca

i) Let un be absolutely convergent and (5,) be a bounded sequence.

n=l
DO

Prove that s, un is also absolutely convergent,

n=l

ii) Can a series of positive terms be conditionally convergent?

7.4 REARRANGEMENT OF SERIES

You know that to find the sum of a finite number of real numbers, the order in which they
are added does not matter. But this is not the case when you have-tofind the sum of infinite
series of numbers. The order in which the terms occur in an infinite series may affect its
nature and the sum i.e, the convergence of the series.
 General Serics
In this section, we shall discuss this aspect of the infinite series. This is, also, sonletirnes
referred to as the Rearrangement Convergence, where every rearrangement of the series
converges. We first have the following definition:

DEFINITION 3: Let x u,
n=l
be an infinite series. Let K be a 0ii:*-t0*9ne
w

function from N onto N. Then C uXb, is said

0-1
to be s rearrangement of

For example I + 3
-
2
+ -51 + -71 - -41 +.........,..is a rearrangcrnent of the series

We state two results (without proof) which will indicate the effect on the convergence of i!
series due to the order in which the ternls occur in the series.
m

I If C un
n= l
is an absolutely convergent series converging to s, then
m

every rearrangement of u, also converges to s.

tl=I

Thus, the order in which the ternrs occur is immaterial in absolutely convergent series.
What of conditionally convergent series? To answer this question, we state the
following result of Riemann.
m

I1 Let u, be a conditionally convergent series. Given any a E R.

n=l
m

there is a rearrangement of the series x u,

n= 1
which converges to a.

Let us give an illustration of a Rearrangement and show how the sun1 or tlie convergence is
altered:
EXAMPLE 6: Show that

Evaluate the sum of the rearranged series

SOLUTION: Set a number 5 as

Then this is a decreasing sequence of positive numbers. It is a well-known result that the
sequence (rn) converges to a limit y called Euler's constant and is approximately equal to
0.577). Let us, therefore, assume that lirn r,, = r
n-m
Let (sn) denote the sequence of the partial sum of the series

and (tn) denote the sequence of the partial sum of the rearrangement of the series namely

Then, we have
Scquenres and Serico\

= [r,,, -I. log 21-11- ('r, + l o g n]

= [r2,, - r,,] + log 711- log n

= [r:,, - r,,] + log 2

E I I [ , (r,,) is a Caucl~y
Since (r,,) is c ~ ~ ~ L ~ ~ , vtherefore Sequence. Consequently, therc exists
/
I
rnE. N such that r2,,- r,, < E for n 5 rn where E>O is any number.

This in~pliesthai

1,-*w,
%,=
, log 2.

Now. i t is casy to show [hat

Jim s,, = lug 2.
I,->-,

For the heclijenc~>r ,,.we have

a

Again since ir,,) is a Cauchy Sequence, therefore,

Since t,,,, + --
1
= ,,t
1
+ 4 n +--1 +
1 -. - .
= t3, .In + l and t,,,, 4n+3

Therefore
3
lirn
n+-
t , = - 2 log 2.

This shows that the arrangement of a conditional convergent series lnay

change its sum.
-"- -- -
EXERCISE 6
m

Suppose u n is a series of positive terms diverping to +w. Show that

n= l
D1

every rearrangement of 2 u, also diverges lo , -.

n=1
------.-- -
p H -----

7.5 SUMMARY

This unit has been mili~lyconcerned with series of al-bilrc~l-yreal numbers. A very importatlt
exatnple of such a series is an Alternating Series. To test convergence of an Allematihg
Series. wc apply the most useful test known as Leibnitz 'Test, which we hnvc discussed in
 Section 7.2. In Section 7.3, we dealt with another category, the series of arbitrary terms. the (;enera1 Series
one which does not'follow any pattern of its terms. Such series may be Absolutely
Convergent Series and conditionally convergent series. Absolutely Convergent Series
are stable under any reamngement, in the sense, that no rearrangement can disturb the
convergence or sum of an absolutely convergent series. On the other hand, you can make a
conditionally convergent series behave as you wish by a suitable rearrangement which we
defined and demonstrated in Sectioi~7.4.
Precisely speaking, in this unit we have studied three notions related to the infinite series of
arbitrary terms namely
i) the convergence of the Alternating Series
ii) the absolute and conditional convergence of the series
. iii) the rearrangement convergence, where every rearrangement of the series converge.

7.6 ANS WERS/HINTS/SOLUTIONS

E 1) 'I'he alternating series is -

-ul + u2 -u3 + uj ................
.
Wher:! u, u2, fi3, ................are positive ilurnhers satisfying
u, 2 u2> u3 2 .....................:..
ad
lim u, = 0.
n--t-

Let ( t, ) be the sequence of the partial sums of this series. Also, let ( s, ) be the
sequence of the partial sums of the series

It is obvious that t, = -s, for each n.

By Theorem 1, (sn) converges. Hence ( t,) = ( -s, ) also converges.
n
E 2) Here u, = (-I)"+' -
3n+2

Since vywu, is not equal 0,therefore the series is divergent.

E 3) Case (i) Let p > 0.Then

-
lim 1 = 0.
n-w nP

Hence the series converges.

Case (ii) Let p = 0.Then the series is

But !?-un = - n+=

lim (-1In does not exist.

Therefore, the series diverges.

Case (iii) Let p < 0.Again

lim un = lirn
n-+m n+- nP

does not exist. Hence the sbries diverges.

Sequences and Series 1 1 1
E4) i) Since -
n3
+ ;;5 > (II+I)~+ ---,
(n+1)5
-
and
1 1
lim
n-w (-+;;j)=O.
n3

therefore by Leibnitz test,

converges.

The series Z
- (ij+ $) =Z" I7+ 7 - also converges. ='l
n=l ,=In ,SI nS
($ + Ln3, is absolutely convergent.
00

ThusZ (-l)ntl
n=z
ii) In E 3) we have senn that

converges only when p > 0.

We also know that the p-series

converges only for p > 1.

is conditionally convergent for 0 p S 1.

E 5) i) Let Isn( < k for each n E N,

Let (a,)and (t,) be the sequences ~ssociatedwith the series

2 Isnu,,I, respectively.
ca

n- l
(udand n-1

Since lenj converges therefore (a> is an increasing sequence of positive

numbers bounded above,
m
2 Isn
TO show that n-I u,I converges, we have to show that (t,) is also bounded
above,
Note that t, = Is, u, I + Is, u, I I
+ ... + s,, u,, I
= IsII IuII + Is21 l ~ 2 I +..,+ Isnl IunI

Since (sn) is bounded above, therefore (ka,,)

is also bounded above. Hence (tn) I

-. -- - - I

is bounded above. Thus x

IF1
€.---

s, u, converges absolutely.

ii) No, Justify it.

CQ DJ

E 6) Suppose a rearrmgament u, ,,( of u, converges.

x- uu,(;,.
IEl rF1
09

No@t h a t s u, is itself a rearrangement of

n=l -1
m

Hence, u, would converge, contradicting the hypothesis, that

-1

u, diverges.
~1
m
Hence, every rearrangement of u, also diyergec. I
* *I
 General Series,
REVIEW
In this Block, you have studied the notion of a sequence and its convergence. Also, you have
been introduced to the infinite series and their convergence. The infinite series have been
classified into two types of series namely positives term series i.e. the series with positive
terms only and the series with a mjx of both positive as well as negative2erhs.
Accordingly, various tests for the convergence of the corresponding series have been
discussed. You should now attempt the following self-test questions to ascertain whether or
, not you have achieved the main objectives of leanling the material in this block. You may
compare your solutions/ answers with the ones given at the end.
1 Given below a r e the sequences whose nth term is given. Write the
range of each of these sequences and determine which of these are
hounded and unbounded.

(ii) (-IT
I
(iii) nn

nn
(iv) cos .-
3
1
(v) (1 ,k --In

2 For each of the following sequences determine whether it converges or

not. If it converges, then give its limit.

n2 + 3
(ii) s, =----2
n -3
(iii) s, = 2 --I1
(iv) s, = 3 + (-1)"
(-4J
(v) S" " 11

3 Determine which of the following sequences are monotonic '?

3n+2
('1 2n-5
n 2+ 1
(ii) --
n
..(iii) ~~m
2n2- 1

I
I
(iv) I +7
I
n
(v) n+(-1)"
)r

4 Find the sum of the first n terms of the following series and hence
decide whether each series converges o r diverges. If the series
converges, find its sum :

; (i) -13 + 92- +-

4
27
+ ............'
(ii) 2 - 4 + 6 - 8 + ................
1 1
i ) + + ...........
(iv) log 2 + log 53 + log 4-3 + ........
-.
.-