Math 22: Elementary Analysis II 2nd Sem A.Y.

2020 - 2021
Power Series and their Convergence K.E. Manaloto

Definition. Let a ∈ R. A power series about a (or centered at a) is an expresion of the form
+∞
X
cn (x − a)n = c0 + c1 (x − a) + c2 (x − a)2 + c3 (x − a)3 + . . . + cn (x − a)n + . . .
n=0

where x is a variable and cn is a constant for all n.

Remarks.
1. Convention: (x − a)0 := 1 for all x ∈ R.
2. If there is a number m such that cm 6= 0 but cn = 0 or all n > m, then the power series is a polynomial with degree m.

3. Not all power series are polynomials.

Definition. The interval of convergence of a power series is the set of all values of x ∈ R for which the resulting series converges.
Remark. The interval of convergence is never empty. In act, every power series is convergent at its center, with sum equal to its
constant term. Indeed, if x = a, then
+∞
X +∞
X
n
cn (x − a) = c0 + cn (0)n = c0 .
n=0 n=1

+∞
X
Theorem. For a given power series cn (x − a)n , exactly one of the following is true:
n=0

1. The series converges only at x = a.

2. The series converges absolutely for all x ∈ R.
3. There is a positive number R such that the series converges absolutely if |x − a| < R and diverges if |x − a| > R.
Remarks. Consider a power series centered at a.
1. The interval of convergence of the power series is one of the following:
(a) {a}
(b) (−∞, +∞)
(c) an interval with endpoints a − R and a + R for some R > 0 :

(a − R, a + R), [a − R, a + R], [a − R, a + r), or (a − R, a + R].

2. The number R in item (1c) is called radius of convergence.

(a) The radius of convergence is 0 if IoC = {a}.
(b) The radius of convergence is ∞ if IoC = (−∞, +∞).
3. In most cases, the radius and interval of convergence can be obtained using the conditions of the Ratio Test.

Additional Exercises: Find the radius and interval of convergence of the given power series.
+∞ +∞ 3n +∞
X xn X n (x + 1)n X (3x + 4)3n
1. 5. 9. (−1)n √
n=0
n+1 n=1
3n n=1
27n 3 n

+∞ n +∞ +∞
X 3 (x − 3)n X xn X 27n (x − 2)3n
2. 6. 10.
n=1
n3 n=0
(2n + 1)! n=1
8n (n2 + 1)

+∞ +∞ +∞
X nn xn X (3x + 1)n X 1 · 3 · 5 · . . . · (2n − 1)
3. (−1)n 7. 11. (x − 1)n
n=1
(n2 + 1)n n=1
2n (2n − 1) n=0
2 n

+∞ +∞ +∞
X 2n (x + 2)n X (x + 3)2n X (x − 1)n
4. (−1)n √ 8. (−1)n 12. (−1)n+1
n=1
3n n n=1
16n n n=2
n(ln n)2