Determining Absolute or Conditional Convergence

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AP Calculus BC › Determining Absolute or Conditional Convergence

Questions 1 - 10
1

A physics model sums $\sum_{n=1}^\infty(-1)^{n}\frac{\ln n}{n}$; determine whether it converges absolutely, conditionally, or diverges.

Diverges because $\ln n$ grows without bound

Converges conditionally by the Alternating Series Test but not absolutely

Converges absolutely by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n^2}$

Diverges because $\sum(-1)^n$ diverges

Converges absolutely because $\sum \frac{\ln n}{n}$ converges

Explanation

Assessing convergence types—absolute, conditional, or divergent—is key for physics models using series. Distinguish by checking if ∑|a_n| converges (absolute) or diverges while the alternating converges (conditional). Apply AST: (ln n)/n decreases to zero for n≥3, confirming convergence. The absolute series ∑ (ln n)/n diverges by Integral Test, as ∫ (ln x)/x dx = (ln $x)^2$/2 → ∞. Claiming absolute convergence by comparison to ∑1/n² fails because (ln n)/n grows slower than 1/n but still diverges. A transferable approach: test absolute with integral or comparison, falling back to AST for conditional if needed.

2

Determine whether $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^n\frac{1}{n^3+n}$ converges absolutely, conditionally, or diverges.

Diverges by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n}$

Converges conditionally

Converges absolutely because it is alternating

Converges absolutely

Diverges by the alternating series test

Explanation

This problem examines $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^n\frac{1}{n^3+n}$. The alternating series test confirms convergence since $\frac{1}{n^3+n}$ decreases to 0. For absolute convergence, we analyze $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^3+n} = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n(n^2+1)}$. For large $n$, this behaves like $\frac{1}{n^3}$, and by limit comparison with the convergent p-series $\sum \frac{1}{n^3}$, our series converges. Since the absolute value series converges, the original series converges absolutely. Choice A incorrectly suggests only conditional convergence without properly checking the absolute value series. The key: when terms behave like $\frac{1}{n^p}$ with $p>1$ for large $n$, expect absolute convergence.

3

For an alternating perturbation, classify $\sum_{n=1}^\infty(-1)^{n}\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}+1}$ as absolute, conditional, or divergent.

Converges absolutely

Diverges because terms do not approach $0$

Converges conditionally

Converges absolutely by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n^{3/2}}$

Diverges by the ratio test

Explanation

Classifying alternating perturbations like ∑ $(-1)^n$ / (√n +1) involves convergence skills. Absolute: ∑ 1/(√n +1) ≈ ∑ 1/√n diverges (p=1/2<1). Conditional: AST as 1/(√n +1) decreases to 0. Converges conditionally. The distractor of absolute by comparison to ∑ $1/n^{3/2}$ fails, as it diverges like 1/√n, not converges. Strategy: approximate for large n; if absolute like divergent p-series, test AST for conditional.

4

In a Fourier-type sum, determine whether $\sum_{n=1}^\infty(-1)^n\frac{\ln n}{n}$ converges absolutely, conditionally, or diverges.

Converges absolutely by the integral test

Converges conditionally

Diverges by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n\ln n}$

Converges absolutely

Diverges because $\ln n/n$ does not decrease

Explanation

In Fourier-type sums, classifying convergence like for ∑ $(-1)^n$ (ln n)/n is vital. Absolute: ∑ (ln n)/n diverges by integral test, as ∫ (ln x)/x dx = (1/2)(ln $x)^2$ → ∞. Conditional: AST applies because (ln n)/n decreases to 0 for large n. Thus, conditional. The distractor of divergence because (ln n)/n does not decrease fails, as it does decrease for n > e. Tip: assess absolute with integrals; if divergent, verify decreasing and limit 0 for conditional via AST.

5

In analyzing a signal, determine whether $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{n-1}}{\sqrt{n}}$ converges absolutely, conditionally, or diverges.

Converges by the ratio test, so absolutely

Diverges

Converges by the alternating series test, so absolutely

Converges absolutely

Converges conditionally

Explanation

Determining whether a series converges absolutely, conditionally, or diverges is a key skill in series analysis. Absolute convergence occurs when the series of absolute values converges, while conditional convergence means the original series converges but the absolute series diverges. To test, first check if the absolute series ∑ 1/√n converges, which it does not as it is a p-series with p=1/2<1. Since it alternates with terms decreasing to 0, it converges by the alternating series test (AST), hence conditionally. A tempting distractor claims convergence by the ratio test so absolutely, but the ratio test gives limit 1, which is inconclusive. Remember, always check absolute convergence first, and if it fails, then check for conditional convergence using AST or other methods.

6

A numerical method produces $\sum_{n=1}^\infty(-1)^{n+1}\frac{1}{n(n+1)}$; classify its convergence type.

Diverges by the ratio test

Converges conditionally by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n}$

Converges conditionally

Diverges because it telescopes to infinity

Converges absolutely

Explanation

Convergence type classification is key for numerical methods producing series like ∑ $(-1)^{n+1}$ / [n(n+1)]. Check absolute: ∑ 1/[n(n+1)] telescopes to 1, converging. Since absolute converges, the series converges absolutely. No conditional check needed. The distractor of conditional by comparison to ∑ 1/n fails because the absolute series converges, not diverges. Strategy: decompose terms if possible; absolute convergence simplifies to checking the positive series directly.

7

Determine the type of convergence of $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{n-1}}{\sqrt{n}}$.

Diverges because $\sum \frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$ diverges

Diverges because terms do not approach $0$

Converges conditionally

Converges absolutely

Converges absolutely by the $p$-test with $p=\tfrac12$

Explanation

This question asks about $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{n-1}}{\sqrt{n}}$. The alternating series test applies since $\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$ decreases to 0. For absolute convergence, we check $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{n}} = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^{1/2}}$, which is a p-series with $p=\frac{1}{2}<1$, so it diverges. Since the alternating series converges but the absolute value series diverges, we have conditional convergence. Choice E incorrectly suggests that a p-series with $p=\frac{1}{2}$ proves absolute convergence, but p-series diverge when $p\leq 1$. Remember: for alternating p-series $\sum \frac{(-1)^n}{n^p}$, you get absolute convergence when $p>1$ and conditional convergence when $0<p\leq 1$.

8

A stability sum is $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n-1}\frac{1}{n^2+\cos n}$; determine its convergence type.

Converges by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n}$, so diverges

Converges by the alternating series test, so conditionally

Diverges

Converges absolutely

Converges conditionally

Explanation

Determining whether a series converges absolutely, conditionally, or diverges is a key skill in series analysis. Absolute convergence occurs when the series of absolute values converges, while conditional convergence means the original series converges but the absolute series diverges. To test, first check if the absolute series $\sum \frac{1}{n^2 + \cos n}$ converges, which it does by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n^2}$ since $\cos n$ is bounded. Thus, the original series converges absolutely. A tempting distractor suggests convergence by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n}$ so diverges, but it converges unlike $\sum \frac{1}{n}$. Remember, always check absolute convergence first, and if it fails, then check for conditional convergence using AST or other methods.

9

Determine whether $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n-1}\frac{\sqrt{n}}{n^2+3}$ converges absolutely, conditionally, or diverges.

Converges by the ratio test, so conditionally

Converges absolutely

Diverges

Converges by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n}$, so diverges

Converges conditionally

Explanation

Determining whether a series converges absolutely, conditionally, or diverges is a key skill in series analysis. Absolute convergence occurs when the series of absolute values converges, while conditional convergence means the original series converges but the absolute series diverges. To test, first check if the absolute series $\sum \sqrt{n}/(n^2 + 3)$ converges, which it does as it behaves like $\sum 1/n^{3/2}$ ($p=3/2>1$). Thus, the original series converges absolutely. A tempting distractor suggests convergence by comparison to $\sum 1/n$ so diverges, but it converges unlike $\sum 1/n$. Remember, always check absolute convergence first, and if it fails, then check for conditional convergence using AST or other methods.

10

Determine whether $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n+1}\frac{1}{n(\ln(n+1))^2}$ converges absolutely, conditionally, or diverges.

Diverges because terms do not approach $0$

Converges absolutely

Diverges by comparison to $\sum \frac{1}{n\ln(n+1)}$

Diverges because $\ln(n+1)$ grows slowly

Converges conditionally

Explanation

This question requires analyzing $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n+1}\frac{1}{n(\ln(n+1))^2}$. For absolute convergence, we check if $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n(\ln(n+1))^2}$ converges. Using the integral test with substitution $u = \ln(x+1)$, we get $\int_1^{\infty} \frac{1}{x(\ln(x+1))^2}dx$, which converges because it behaves like $\int \frac{1}{u^2}du$ after substitution. Since the absolute value series converges, the original series converges absolutely. Choice B incorrectly suggests only conditional convergence, not recognizing that the squared logarithm in the denominator provides enough decay for absolute convergence. The key insight: powers of logarithms greater than 1 in the denominator often lead to absolute convergence.

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