How do you use the limit comparison test for sum 1 / (n + sqrt(n))1n+n for n=1 to n=oon=?

2 Answers
Aug 10, 2015

sum_(n=1)^oo1/(n+sqrt(n))n=11n+n diverges, this can be seen by comparing it to sum_(n=1)^oo1/(2n)n=112n.

Explanation:

Since this series is a sum of positive numbers, we need to find either a convergent series sum_(n=1)^(oo)a_nn=1an such that a_n>=1/(n+sqrt(n))an1n+n and conclude that our series is convergent, or we need to find a divergent series such that a_n<=1/(n+sqrt(n))an1n+n and conclude our series to be divergent as well.

We remark the following:
For
n>=1n1, sqrt(n)<=nnn.
Therefore
n+sqrt(n)<=2nn+n2n.
So
1/(n+sqrt(n))>=1/(2n)1n+n12n.

Since it is well known that sum_(n=1)^oo1/nn=11n diverges, so sum_(n=1)^oo1/(2n)n=112n diverges as well, since if it would converge, then 2sum_(n=1)^oo1/(2n)=sum_(n=1)^oo1/n2n=112n=n=11n would converge as well, and this is not the case.

Now using the comparison test, we see that sum_(n=1)^oo1/(n+sqrt(n))n=11n+n diverges.

Nov 20, 2016

The limit comparison test takes two series, suma_nan and sumb_nbn where a_n>=0an0, b_ngt0bn>0.

If lim_(nrarroo)a_n/b_n=L where L>0 and is finite, then either both series converge or both series diverge.

We should let a_n=1/(n+sqrtn), the sequence from the given series. A good b_n choice is the overpowering function that a_n approaches as n becomes large. So, let b_n=1/n.

Note that sumb_n diverges (it's the harmonic series).

So, we see that lim_(nrarroo)a_n/b_n=lim_(nrarroo)(1/(n+sqrtn))/(1/n)=lim_(nrarroo)n/(n+sqrtn). Continuing by dividing through by n/n, this becomes lim_(nrarroo)1/(1+1/sqrtn)=1/1=1.

Since the limit is 1, which is >0 and defined, we see that suma_n and sumb_n will both diverge or converge. Since we already know at sumb_n diverges, we can conclude that suma_n=sum_(n=1)^oo1/(n+sqrtn) diverges as well.