Does Σ 1/n converge Step by Step | The integral test and p-series

Step by step

The question

Question: decide if the series converges: the sum of 1/n for n from 1 to infinity.

Σ_{n = 1}^∞1n =

1 The function

Make a function from the term: put x in place of n.

The series adds f(1), f(2), f(3) and so on.

f(x) = 1x

For x from 1 on, it is positive, and it gets smaller: a bigger x makes a bigger bottom.

x ≥ 1: f(x) > 0, getting smaller

The integral test: the series and the area under f from 1 to infinity do the same thing.

Both are finite, or both are infinite.

Σ and ∫ from 1 to ∞: both finite, or both ∞

2 The integral

Infinity is not a number: stop at t, then let t grow, like improper integrals.

∫ from 1 to ∞ of 1x dx = lim t → ∞ ∫ from 1 to t of 1x dx

1/x integrates to ln x.

= lim t → ∞ [ ln x ] from 1 to t

3 Let t go

Put in t, then take away the same with 1.

= lim t → ∞ ( ln t − (0))

As t grows, this part grows without end.

ln t → ∞

So the area is infinite.

= ∞

4 Decide

The area is infinite, so the series diverges too.

= diverges

This gives a rule for every power of n: the p-series rule.

Here p is 1, not bigger than 1.

p-series: Σ 1n^p converges when p > 1

and diverges when p ≤ 1

Careful!

The terms go to 0, but too slowly: the sum still grows for ever.

Careful: not a_n → 0, so it converges ✗

5 Check

Let's check with a calculator: 100 terms add up to about 5.19, 10000 terms to about 9.79.

Slowly, but it keeps growing.

Right!

S₁₀₀ ≈ 5.19, S₁₀₀₀₀ ≈ 9.79

Let's look back.

First: the function.

Then: the integral.

Then: let t go.

Then: decide.

Last: check.

Answer