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Limit Comparison Test

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36 views

Limit Comparison Test

Uploaded by

ialameh2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Limit Comparison Test (LCT)

∞ ∞
X X an
Consider two series an and bn with positive terms. Suppose that lim =C
n→∞ bn
n=1 n=1
with 0 < C < ∞. Then
∞
X ∞
X
1. If bn Converges, then an Converges.
n=1 n=1
∞
X ∞
X
2. If bn Diverges, then an Diverges.
n=1 n=1

USED: When your given series behaves more like a simpler series, when n is large, but you may
not have a direct, obvious, and helpful bound as with the Comparison Test. Also only used for
positive termed series.

USED: LCT does not concern itself with which terms are bigger or smaller. LCT only cares if
the given terms and the comparison terms are about the same in size, as n gets very big. LCT is
the lazy version of comparison, and focuses on the idea that the original series and the (simpler?!)
comparison series share the same convergence behavior.
X polynomial
GOOD FOR:
polynomial

an bn
NOTE: The order of the stack in the limit of vs. is not so important, because you are just
bn an
trying to decide if C is finite and non-zero. It is often easier (algebraically) to put the given terms
in the numerator and the comparison terms in the denominator.

NOTE: If C = 0 or C = ∞, then you either made an algebraic or miscopy mistake in the Limit
computation, OR chose the wrong comparison series to start. Ignore all non-dominant terms as n
grows large, and try again.

APPROACH:

• Given the original series, start by ignoring non-dominant terms and decide what the com-
parison series will be. Again, this Comparison series is usually a p-series or a geometric
series.

• Compare the terms. Compute the Limit of the stack of the given terms over the comparison
terms that are simpler. Justify the limit answer carefully. No guesses. If you use L’H Rule,
you must switch to the related function and the x variable.

• Analyze the comparison series completely, meaning state Declaration of Converge or Diverge,
the Convergence Test and the Test conditions checked.

• Make a conclusion about convergence for the original series.


EXAMPLES: Determine and state whether each of the following series Converges or Diverges.
Name any convergence test(s) that you use, and justify all of your work.
∞
X n3 + 7n
1. √
9+ n
n=1
n
∞ ∞ ∞
X n3 + 7n X n3 X 1
Note that √ ≈ = which is a Convergent p-series with p = 6 > 1.
n=1
n9 + n n=1 n9 n=1 n6
0
n3 + 7n
 
1 7
√

n9 + n n9 + 7n7 n9 1 + 2
Next, Check: lim = lim 9 √   = lim n = 1 is Finite/Non-zero.
n→∞ 1 n→∞ n + n 1 n→∞ 0
n 6
n9 1 7

1 + 17
n2

Therefore, the Original Series is also Convergent by Limit Comparison Test .

∞ ∞ ∞
X n5 + n + 6 X n5 X 1
2. ≈ = which is a Divergent p-series with p = 1.
3n6 + n4 + 5 n6 n
n=1 n=1 n=1

n5 +n+6 0 0
6 + n2 + 6n 1
7+ 6
3n6 4
+ n + 5 = lim n 1 + n 4 n
7 1
5
Next Check: lim = lim  
0= 3 which is Finite and
n→∞ 1 n→∞ 3n6 + n4 + 5 n→∞ 0
1 5
3 + n27+ n67
 n  
1
Non-zero 0 < < ∞ .
3
Therefore, these two series share the same behavior, and the Original Series is also Divergent by LCT .

∞ ∞ ∞
X n X n X 1
3. 6
≈ 6
= which is a Convergent p-series with p = 5 > 1.
n +2 n n5
n=1 n=1 n=1
n
n 6+2 n6 1
Next Check: lim = lim 6 = lim 0= 1 which is Finite and Non-zero.
n→∞ 1 n→∞ n + 2 n→∞
2
n5 1 + n6 7

Therefore, O.S. is also Convergent by LCT . (NOTE: CT would work too)

LAST NOTE: When the Limit C here is Finite and Non-Zero, the test does not directly conclude
Converge or Diverge. LCT says if C is Finite and Non-Zero, then the given series has the same
convergence or divergence behavior as its comparison series. THINK: The given series does whatever
the comparison series does.

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