Attempt on modified harmonic series












2















Does the series $left(1+frac{1}{2}-frac{1}{3} right) + left(frac{1}{4}+frac{1}{5}-frac{1}{6} right)+left(frac{1}{7}+frac{1}{8}-frac{1}{9} right)+ldots quad$ converge?




Here's my attempt at a solution: begin{eqnarray*}left(1+frac{1}{2}-frac{1}{3} right) + left(frac{1}{4}+frac{1}{5}-frac{1}{6} right)+left(frac{1}{7}+frac{1}{8}-frac{1}{9} right)+ldots &= sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{n}-2sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{3n}\&=sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{3n} \ &=frac{1}{3}sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{n} end{eqnarray*}



As we can "rewrite" this series as one third of the harmonical series (that diverges), we conclude the divergence of the requiered series.



Is this right? Which other convergence tests could be used?

Thanks in advance.










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  • your solution is not correct. You cannot change the order of summation of a series that doesn't converge absolutely, neither make (standard) arithmetic with divergent series
    – Masacroso
    48 mins ago












  • @Masacroso Is it not fine to do something along the lines of " Suppose the following series converges. Then in particular, it converges absolutely, so we can reorder the series in any way. One particular ordering gives a scalar multiple of the harmonic series which diverges, so the given series cannot converge".
    – Saad
    42 mins ago
















2















Does the series $left(1+frac{1}{2}-frac{1}{3} right) + left(frac{1}{4}+frac{1}{5}-frac{1}{6} right)+left(frac{1}{7}+frac{1}{8}-frac{1}{9} right)+ldots quad$ converge?




Here's my attempt at a solution: begin{eqnarray*}left(1+frac{1}{2}-frac{1}{3} right) + left(frac{1}{4}+frac{1}{5}-frac{1}{6} right)+left(frac{1}{7}+frac{1}{8}-frac{1}{9} right)+ldots &= sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{n}-2sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{3n}\&=sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{3n} \ &=frac{1}{3}sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{n} end{eqnarray*}



As we can "rewrite" this series as one third of the harmonical series (that diverges), we conclude the divergence of the requiered series.



Is this right? Which other convergence tests could be used?

Thanks in advance.










share|cite|improve this question







New contributor




Raúl Astete is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • your solution is not correct. You cannot change the order of summation of a series that doesn't converge absolutely, neither make (standard) arithmetic with divergent series
    – Masacroso
    48 mins ago












  • @Masacroso Is it not fine to do something along the lines of " Suppose the following series converges. Then in particular, it converges absolutely, so we can reorder the series in any way. One particular ordering gives a scalar multiple of the harmonic series which diverges, so the given series cannot converge".
    – Saad
    42 mins ago














2












2








2








Does the series $left(1+frac{1}{2}-frac{1}{3} right) + left(frac{1}{4}+frac{1}{5}-frac{1}{6} right)+left(frac{1}{7}+frac{1}{8}-frac{1}{9} right)+ldots quad$ converge?




Here's my attempt at a solution: begin{eqnarray*}left(1+frac{1}{2}-frac{1}{3} right) + left(frac{1}{4}+frac{1}{5}-frac{1}{6} right)+left(frac{1}{7}+frac{1}{8}-frac{1}{9} right)+ldots &= sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{n}-2sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{3n}\&=sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{3n} \ &=frac{1}{3}sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{n} end{eqnarray*}



As we can "rewrite" this series as one third of the harmonical series (that diverges), we conclude the divergence of the requiered series.



Is this right? Which other convergence tests could be used?

Thanks in advance.










share|cite|improve this question







New contributor




Raúl Astete is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












Does the series $left(1+frac{1}{2}-frac{1}{3} right) + left(frac{1}{4}+frac{1}{5}-frac{1}{6} right)+left(frac{1}{7}+frac{1}{8}-frac{1}{9} right)+ldots quad$ converge?




Here's my attempt at a solution: begin{eqnarray*}left(1+frac{1}{2}-frac{1}{3} right) + left(frac{1}{4}+frac{1}{5}-frac{1}{6} right)+left(frac{1}{7}+frac{1}{8}-frac{1}{9} right)+ldots &= sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{n}-2sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{3n}\&=sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{3n} \ &=frac{1}{3}sum_{n=1}^{infty}frac{1}{n} end{eqnarray*}



As we can "rewrite" this series as one third of the harmonical series (that diverges), we conclude the divergence of the requiered series.



Is this right? Which other convergence tests could be used?

Thanks in advance.







calculus sequences-and-series proof-verification divergent-series






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asked 1 hour ago









Raúl Astete

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  • your solution is not correct. You cannot change the order of summation of a series that doesn't converge absolutely, neither make (standard) arithmetic with divergent series
    – Masacroso
    48 mins ago












  • @Masacroso Is it not fine to do something along the lines of " Suppose the following series converges. Then in particular, it converges absolutely, so we can reorder the series in any way. One particular ordering gives a scalar multiple of the harmonic series which diverges, so the given series cannot converge".
    – Saad
    42 mins ago


















  • your solution is not correct. You cannot change the order of summation of a series that doesn't converge absolutely, neither make (standard) arithmetic with divergent series
    – Masacroso
    48 mins ago












  • @Masacroso Is it not fine to do something along the lines of " Suppose the following series converges. Then in particular, it converges absolutely, so we can reorder the series in any way. One particular ordering gives a scalar multiple of the harmonic series which diverges, so the given series cannot converge".
    – Saad
    42 mins ago
















your solution is not correct. You cannot change the order of summation of a series that doesn't converge absolutely, neither make (standard) arithmetic with divergent series
– Masacroso
48 mins ago






your solution is not correct. You cannot change the order of summation of a series that doesn't converge absolutely, neither make (standard) arithmetic with divergent series
– Masacroso
48 mins ago














@Masacroso Is it not fine to do something along the lines of " Suppose the following series converges. Then in particular, it converges absolutely, so we can reorder the series in any way. One particular ordering gives a scalar multiple of the harmonic series which diverges, so the given series cannot converge".
– Saad
42 mins ago




@Masacroso Is it not fine to do something along the lines of " Suppose the following series converges. Then in particular, it converges absolutely, so we can reorder the series in any way. One particular ordering gives a scalar multiple of the harmonic series which diverges, so the given series cannot converge".
– Saad
42 mins ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

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4














Your answer is correct, but your reasoning is not. Order matters. You should write the sum as follows:
$$sum_{n=0}^inftyleft(frac{1}{3n+1}+frac{1}{3n+2}-frac{1}{3n+3}right)$$
Simplify what is in the parentheses and then evaluate in the usual way.



Oh, and it is true that order does not matter if all the terms are positive. But when some terms are positive and others negative, you have to be more careful.






share|cite|improve this answer































    2














    The idea is correct, but you cannot write like that, because the series involved are both divergent and generally it is moot to do arithmetic operations of divergent series.



    Let $H_n = sum_1^n 1/k$, i.e. the $n$-th partial sum of the harmonic series, then the
    $$
    S_n = H_{3n} - frac 23 H_n,
    $$

    then use the asymptotic expression $H_n = log n + gamma + varepsilon_n$ where $varepsilon_n to 0 [n to infty]$, we have
    $$
    S_n = log (3n) -frac 23log n + frac 13 gamma + varepsilon_{3n} - frac 23 varepsilon_n = log(3n^{1/3}) + frac 13 gamma + alpha_n xrightarrow{n to infty} +infty.
    $$






    share|cite|improve this answer





























      1














      Yes, your answer is correct.



      By using Cauchy's Convergence test, for $sum_{n=1}^inftydfrac1n$



      Taking $$S_{2n}-S_n=sum_{n=1}^{2n}dfrac1n-sum_{n=1}^ndfrac1n=dfrac{1}{n+1}+dfrac{1}{n+2}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}gedfrac{1}{2n}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}=dfrac{n}{2n}=dfrac{1}{2}$$



      Since, there is no number $N$ that satisfies Cauchy's condition, the series diverges.






      share|cite|improve this answer





















        Your Answer





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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes








        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        4














        Your answer is correct, but your reasoning is not. Order matters. You should write the sum as follows:
        $$sum_{n=0}^inftyleft(frac{1}{3n+1}+frac{1}{3n+2}-frac{1}{3n+3}right)$$
        Simplify what is in the parentheses and then evaluate in the usual way.



        Oh, and it is true that order does not matter if all the terms are positive. But when some terms are positive and others negative, you have to be more careful.






        share|cite|improve this answer




























          4














          Your answer is correct, but your reasoning is not. Order matters. You should write the sum as follows:
          $$sum_{n=0}^inftyleft(frac{1}{3n+1}+frac{1}{3n+2}-frac{1}{3n+3}right)$$
          Simplify what is in the parentheses and then evaluate in the usual way.



          Oh, and it is true that order does not matter if all the terms are positive. But when some terms are positive and others negative, you have to be more careful.






          share|cite|improve this answer


























            4












            4








            4






            Your answer is correct, but your reasoning is not. Order matters. You should write the sum as follows:
            $$sum_{n=0}^inftyleft(frac{1}{3n+1}+frac{1}{3n+2}-frac{1}{3n+3}right)$$
            Simplify what is in the parentheses and then evaluate in the usual way.



            Oh, and it is true that order does not matter if all the terms are positive. But when some terms are positive and others negative, you have to be more careful.






            share|cite|improve this answer














            Your answer is correct, but your reasoning is not. Order matters. You should write the sum as follows:
            $$sum_{n=0}^inftyleft(frac{1}{3n+1}+frac{1}{3n+2}-frac{1}{3n+3}right)$$
            Simplify what is in the parentheses and then evaluate in the usual way.



            Oh, and it is true that order does not matter if all the terms are positive. But when some terms are positive and others negative, you have to be more careful.







            share|cite|improve this answer














            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer








            edited 54 mins ago

























            answered 1 hour ago









            Ben W

            1,825514




            1,825514























                2














                The idea is correct, but you cannot write like that, because the series involved are both divergent and generally it is moot to do arithmetic operations of divergent series.



                Let $H_n = sum_1^n 1/k$, i.e. the $n$-th partial sum of the harmonic series, then the
                $$
                S_n = H_{3n} - frac 23 H_n,
                $$

                then use the asymptotic expression $H_n = log n + gamma + varepsilon_n$ where $varepsilon_n to 0 [n to infty]$, we have
                $$
                S_n = log (3n) -frac 23log n + frac 13 gamma + varepsilon_{3n} - frac 23 varepsilon_n = log(3n^{1/3}) + frac 13 gamma + alpha_n xrightarrow{n to infty} +infty.
                $$






                share|cite|improve this answer


























                  2














                  The idea is correct, but you cannot write like that, because the series involved are both divergent and generally it is moot to do arithmetic operations of divergent series.



                  Let $H_n = sum_1^n 1/k$, i.e. the $n$-th partial sum of the harmonic series, then the
                  $$
                  S_n = H_{3n} - frac 23 H_n,
                  $$

                  then use the asymptotic expression $H_n = log n + gamma + varepsilon_n$ where $varepsilon_n to 0 [n to infty]$, we have
                  $$
                  S_n = log (3n) -frac 23log n + frac 13 gamma + varepsilon_{3n} - frac 23 varepsilon_n = log(3n^{1/3}) + frac 13 gamma + alpha_n xrightarrow{n to infty} +infty.
                  $$






                  share|cite|improve this answer
























                    2












                    2








                    2






                    The idea is correct, but you cannot write like that, because the series involved are both divergent and generally it is moot to do arithmetic operations of divergent series.



                    Let $H_n = sum_1^n 1/k$, i.e. the $n$-th partial sum of the harmonic series, then the
                    $$
                    S_n = H_{3n} - frac 23 H_n,
                    $$

                    then use the asymptotic expression $H_n = log n + gamma + varepsilon_n$ where $varepsilon_n to 0 [n to infty]$, we have
                    $$
                    S_n = log (3n) -frac 23log n + frac 13 gamma + varepsilon_{3n} - frac 23 varepsilon_n = log(3n^{1/3}) + frac 13 gamma + alpha_n xrightarrow{n to infty} +infty.
                    $$






                    share|cite|improve this answer












                    The idea is correct, but you cannot write like that, because the series involved are both divergent and generally it is moot to do arithmetic operations of divergent series.



                    Let $H_n = sum_1^n 1/k$, i.e. the $n$-th partial sum of the harmonic series, then the
                    $$
                    S_n = H_{3n} - frac 23 H_n,
                    $$

                    then use the asymptotic expression $H_n = log n + gamma + varepsilon_n$ where $varepsilon_n to 0 [n to infty]$, we have
                    $$
                    S_n = log (3n) -frac 23log n + frac 13 gamma + varepsilon_{3n} - frac 23 varepsilon_n = log(3n^{1/3}) + frac 13 gamma + alpha_n xrightarrow{n to infty} +infty.
                    $$







                    share|cite|improve this answer












                    share|cite|improve this answer



                    share|cite|improve this answer










                    answered 50 mins ago









                    xbh

                    5,6951522




                    5,6951522























                        1














                        Yes, your answer is correct.



                        By using Cauchy's Convergence test, for $sum_{n=1}^inftydfrac1n$



                        Taking $$S_{2n}-S_n=sum_{n=1}^{2n}dfrac1n-sum_{n=1}^ndfrac1n=dfrac{1}{n+1}+dfrac{1}{n+2}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}gedfrac{1}{2n}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}=dfrac{n}{2n}=dfrac{1}{2}$$



                        Since, there is no number $N$ that satisfies Cauchy's condition, the series diverges.






                        share|cite|improve this answer


























                          1














                          Yes, your answer is correct.



                          By using Cauchy's Convergence test, for $sum_{n=1}^inftydfrac1n$



                          Taking $$S_{2n}-S_n=sum_{n=1}^{2n}dfrac1n-sum_{n=1}^ndfrac1n=dfrac{1}{n+1}+dfrac{1}{n+2}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}gedfrac{1}{2n}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}=dfrac{n}{2n}=dfrac{1}{2}$$



                          Since, there is no number $N$ that satisfies Cauchy's condition, the series diverges.






                          share|cite|improve this answer
























                            1












                            1








                            1






                            Yes, your answer is correct.



                            By using Cauchy's Convergence test, for $sum_{n=1}^inftydfrac1n$



                            Taking $$S_{2n}-S_n=sum_{n=1}^{2n}dfrac1n-sum_{n=1}^ndfrac1n=dfrac{1}{n+1}+dfrac{1}{n+2}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}gedfrac{1}{2n}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}=dfrac{n}{2n}=dfrac{1}{2}$$



                            Since, there is no number $N$ that satisfies Cauchy's condition, the series diverges.






                            share|cite|improve this answer












                            Yes, your answer is correct.



                            By using Cauchy's Convergence test, for $sum_{n=1}^inftydfrac1n$



                            Taking $$S_{2n}-S_n=sum_{n=1}^{2n}dfrac1n-sum_{n=1}^ndfrac1n=dfrac{1}{n+1}+dfrac{1}{n+2}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}gedfrac{1}{2n}+....+dfrac{1}{2n}=dfrac{n}{2n}=dfrac{1}{2}$$



                            Since, there is no number $N$ that satisfies Cauchy's condition, the series diverges.







                            share|cite|improve this answer












                            share|cite|improve this answer



                            share|cite|improve this answer










                            answered 1 hour ago









                            Key Flex

                            7,56241232




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