What is the interval of convergence of the series sum_(n=0)^oo((-3)^n*x^n)/sqrt(n+1)?

1 Answer
Sep 27, 2014

The interval of convergence is (-1/3,1/3].

Let a_n={(-3)^nx^n}/{sqrt{n+1}}. Rightarrow a_{n+1}={(-3)^{n+1}x^{n+1}}/{sqrt{n+2}}.

By Ratio Test,

lim_{n to infty}|{a_{n+1}}/{a_n}| =lim_{n to infty}|{(-3)^{n+1}x^{n+1}}/{sqrt{n+2}}cdot{sqrt{n+1}}/{(-3)^nx^n}|

by cancelling out common factors,

=lim_{n to infty}|{-3x sqrt{n+1}}/{sqrt{n+2}}|

by pulling |-3x|=3|x| out of the limit,

=3|x| lim_{n to infty}\sqrt{{n+1}/{n+2}}

by dividing the numerator and the denominator by n,

=3|x| lim_{n to infty}\sqrt{{1+1/n}/{1+2/n}}=3|x|sqrt{{1+0}/{1+0}}=3|x|<1

By dividing by 3,

Rightarrow |x|<1/3 Leftrightarrow -1/3 < x < 1/3

So, the power series converges at least on (-1/3,1/3).

Now, we need to check the endpoints.

When x=-1/3, the series becomes

sum_{n=0}^infty{(-3)^n(-1/3)^n}/{sqrt{n+1}}=sum_{n=0}^infty1/{sqrt{n+1}}=sum_{n=1}^infty1/n^{1/2},

which is a divergence p-series since p=1/2 le 1

So, x=-1/3 should be excluded.

When x=1/3, the serie becomes

sum_{n=0}^infty{(-3)^n(1/3)^n}/{sqrt{n+1}}=sum_{n=0}^infty(-1)^n/{sqrt{n+1}},

which is a convergent alternating series by Alternating Series Test.

1/sqrt{n+1} ge 1/sqrt{n+2} and lim_{n to infty}1/sqrt{n+1}=0

So, x=1/3 should be included.

Hence, the interval of convergence is (-1/3,1/3].