SERIES CHEAT SHEET
BLAKE FARMAN
Lafayette College
Tests
Theorem (nth Term Test for Divergence). If the sequence {an } does not converge to zero, then the series
P
an diverges.
WARNING: If limn→∞ an = 0 then the test is inconclusive!
Theorem (The Integral Test). Let {an }∞
n=1 be a sequence. Assume that there exists an integer N ≥ 0 and
a function f such that for all x ≥ N and for all n ≥ N
1. an > 0,
2. f (n) = an , and
3. f is
• positive,
• continuous, and
• decreasing
P∞ R∞
Then the series n=1 an converges if and only if 1 f (x) dx converges.
Theorem (The Comparison Tests). Let {an } and {bn } be sequences, and assume there exists some number
N such that
0 < an ≤ bn
is satisfied whenever n ≥ N .
P P
(i) If an diverges, then bn also diverges.
P P
(ii) If bn converges, then an also converges.
Theorem (The Limit Comparison Test). Let {an } and {bn } be sequences, and assume there exists some
number N such that
0 < an , bn
is satisfied whenever n ≥ N . If there exists some number c > 0 such that
an
lim =c>0
n→∞ bn
then either
P P
• an and bn both converge, or
P P
• an and bn both diverge.
1
2 SERIES CHEAT SHEET
Theorem (Alternating Series Test). Let {bn } be a sequence. If there exists some N such that for all n ≤ N
(1) 0 < bn
(2) bn+1 ≤ bn
(3) limn→∞ bn = 0
then the Alternating Series
∞
X
(−1)n−1 bn
n=1
converges.
Theorem (Ratio Test). Let {an } be a sequence and let
an+1
L = lim .
n→∞ an
∞
X
(i) If L < 1, then an converges absolutely.
n=1
∞
X
(ii) If 1 < L ≤ ∞, then an diverges.
n=1
(iii) If L = 1, then the test is inconclusive.
Theorem (Root Test). Let {an } be a sequence and let
p
n
L = lim |an |.
n→∞
∞
X
(i) If L < 1, then an converges absolutely.
n=1
∞
X
(ii) If 1 < L ≤ ∞, then an diverges.
n=1
(iii) If L = 1, then the test is inconclusive.
Known Convergent Series
∞
X a
Geometric Series, |r| < 1: arn−1 = a + ar + ar2 + . . . + arn−1 + . . . =
n=1
1−r
∞
X 1 1 1 1
p-series, 1 < p: p
= 1 + p + p + ... + p + ...
n=1
n 2 3 n
Known Divergent Series
∞
X 1 1 1 1
Harmonic Series: = 1 + + + ... + + ...
n=1
n 2 3 n
∞
X
Geometric Series, 1 ≤ |r|: arn−1 = a + ar + ar2 + ar3 + . . . + arn−1 + . . .
n=1
∞
X 1 1 1 1
p-series, p ≤ 1: p
= 1 + p + p + ... + p + ...
n=1
n 2 3 n
