Ratio test (Sect. 10.

5)

I The ratio test.

I Using the ratio test.
I Few more examples.
I Comment: The root test.

The ratio test

Remark: The ratio test is a way to determine whether a series

converges or not.

Theorem an+1
Let {an } be a positive sequence with lim = ρ exists.
n→∞ an
P
(a) If ρ < 1, the series an converges.
P
(b) If ρ > 1, the series an diverges.

(c) If ρ = 1, the test is inconclusive.

P
Remark: The ratio test compares
P the series an with an
appropriate geometric series r n.
The ratio test
P
Proof: Case (a): Since
P an > 0, the series an is non-decreasing.
We now show that an is bounded above.
an+1
Since lim = ρ < 1, then for any  > 0, small enough such
n→∞ an
that ρ +  = r < 1, there exists N large with
an+1
< ρ +  = r , for n > N.
an
aN +n aN +1 aN +2 aN +n
= ··· 6 rn ⇒ aN +n 6 aN r n .
aN aN aN +1 aN +n−1
∞
X N −1
X ∞
X N −1
X ∞
X
an = an + aN +n 6 an + aN rn
n=0 n=0 n=0 n=0 n=0
∞ N −1
X XaN
So an 6 an +
is bounded.
1−r
n=0 n=0
A non-decreasing, bounded above, series converges.

The ratio test

an+1
Proof: Case (b): Since lim = ρ > 1, there exists N large,
n→∞ an
an+1
> 1, for n > N, ⇒ aN < aN +1 < aN +2 < · · · .
an
P
Hence, lim an 6= 0. The series an diverges.
n→∞
an+1
Case (c): lim = 1. Examples:
n→∞ an

∞ 1


X 1 n+1 n
, and lim 1

= lim = 1, diverges.
n n→∞
n
n→∞ n + 1
n=1

1


∞
X 1 (n+1)2 n2
, and lim 1
= lim = 1, converges.
n2 n→∞ (n + 1)2


n→∞
n=1 n2

The test in inconclusive.

Ratio test (Sect. 10.5)

I The ratio test.

I Using the ratio test.
I Few more examples.
I Comment: The root test.

Using the ratio test

Example
∞
X 2n
Determine whether the series converges or not.
n!
n=1

2n
Solution: We use the ratio test, since an = > 0. We compute
n!
an+1 2n+1 n! 2n 2 n! 2
= = = .
an (n + 1)! 2n (n + 1) n! 2n (n + 1)

an+1 2
Therefore, lim = lim = 0.
n→∞ an n→∞ (n + 1)

Since ρ = 0 < 1, the series converges. C

Using the ratio test
Example
∞
X (n − 1)!
Determine whether the series converges or not.
(n + 1)2
n=1

(n−1)!
Solution: We use the ratio test, since an = (n+1)2
> 0. Then,

an+1 n! (n + 1)2 n (n − 1)! (n + 1)2 n(n + 1)2

= = =
an (n + 2)2 (n − 1)! (n + 2)2 (n − 1)! (n + 2)2

an+1 n3 + 2n2 + n n + 2 + n1
= 2 =
an n + 4n + 4 1 + n4 + n42
an+1
Therefore, lim = lim n = ∞.
n→∞ an n→∞

Since ρ = ∞ > 1, the series diverges. C

Using the ratio test

Example
∞
X ln(n)
Determine whether the series converges or not.
n
n=1
ln(n)
Solution: We start with the ratio test, since an = > 0. Then,
n
an+1 ln(n + 1) n n ln(n + 1)
= = →1
an (n + 1) ln(n) (n + 1) ln(n)

Since ρ = 1, the ratio test is inconclusive.

ln(n) 1
Direct comparison test: an = > implies that
n n
X ln(n) X1
> , which diverges.
n n

Therefore, the series diverges. C

Ratio test (Sect. 10.5)

I The ratio test.

I Using the ratio test.
I Few more examples.
I Comment: The root test.

Few more examples

Example
∞
X ln(7n)
Determine whether the series converges or not.
n3
n=1

ln(7n)
Solution: We start with the ratio test, since an = > 0.
n3
an+1 ln[7(n + 1)] n3  n 3 ln(7n + 7)
= = →1
an (n + 1)3 ln(7n) n+1 ln(7n)

Since ρ = 1, the ratio test is inconclusive.

Direct comparison test: Since ln(7n) < 7n, then

ln(7n) 7n 7 X ln(7n) X 7
an = 6 = . Hence 6 ,
n3 n3 n2 n3 n2
which converges. Therefore, the series converges. C
Few more examples
Example
∞
X 5n ln(n)
Determine whether the series converges or not.
6n
n=1

5n ln(n)
Solution: We start with the ratio test, since an = > 0.
6n
an+1 5(n + 1) ln[(n + 1)] 6n
=
an 6(n+1) 5n ln(n)

an+1 1  n + 1  ln(n + 1) 1
= →
an 6 n ln(n) 6

1
Since ρ = < 1, the ratio test says that the series converges. C
6

Ratio test (Sect. 10.5)

I The ratio test.

I Using the ratio test.
I Few more examples.
I Comment: The root test.
Comment: The root test

Theorem √
Let {an } be a positive sequence with lim n
an = ρ exists.
n→∞
P
(a) If ρ < 1, the series an converges.
P
(b) If ρ > 1, the series an diverges.

(c) If ρ = 1, the test is inconclusive.

P
Remark: The root test also compares
P n the series an with an
appropriate geometric series r .

Comment: The root test

P
Proof: Case (a): Since
P an > 0, the series an is non-decreasing.
We now show that an is bounded above.
√
Since lim n an = ρ < 1, then for any  > 0, small enough such
n→∞
that ρ +  = r < 1, there exists N large with
√
n
an < ρ +  = r , for n > N, ⇒ an 6 r n .

∞
X N −1
X ∞
X N −1
X ∞
X
an = an + an 6 an + rn
n=0 n=0 n=N n=0 n=N

∞ N −1 N −1 ∞ N −1
X X X
n
X
n
X 1
an = an − r + r = (an − r n ) + .
1−r
n=0 n=0 n=0 n=0 n=0
P
So an is bounded. A non-decreasing, bounded above, series
converges. The proofs for (b), (c) are similar to ratio test.