What is the interval of convergence of sum (x^n)/(n!) ?

2 Answers
Nov 4, 2015

(-oo, oo)

Explanation:

For any x in RR, choose N in ZZ such that N > abs(x)

abs(sum_(n=0)^oo x^n/(n!)) = abs(sum_(n=0)^(N-1) x^n/(n!) + sum_(n=N)^oo x^n/(n!)) <= sum_(n=0)^(N-1) abs(x)^n/(n!) + sum_(n=N)^oo abs(x)^n/(n!)

< sum_(n=0)^(N-1) abs(x)^n/(n!) + abs(x)^N/(N!) sum_(n=0)^oo abs(x)^n/(N^n)

The first term sum_(n=0)^(N-1) abs(x)^n/(n!) is a finite sum so converges.

The second term abs(x)^N/(N!) sum_(n=0)^oo abs(x)^n/(N^n) is the sum of a geometric series with positive common ratio abs(x)/N < 1, so converges.

We have shown that for any x in (-oo,oo), sum_(n=0)^oo abs(x)^n/(n!) is bounded, that is that sum_(n=0)^oo x^n/(n!) is absolutely convergent. Hence it is also convergent.

Take the absolute values and apply the ratio test

lim_(n->oo)abs(a_(n+1))/(abs(a_n))=lim_(n->oo) (abs(x)^(n+1)/((n+1)!))/(abs(x)^(n)/((n)!))=lim_(n->oo) absx/((n+1)!)=0

The limit is less than 1, independent of the value of x. It follows that the series converges for all x.
That is, the interval of convergence is −∞ < x < +∞.

Actually the sum is equal to the exponential function

Σ x^n/(n!)=e^x