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What is the general form of an alternating series?

n=1(1)nan\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^n a_n or n=1(1)n+1an\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n+1} a_n, where an>0a_n > 0 for all nn.

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What is the general form of an alternating series?

n=1(1)nan\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^n a_n or n=1(1)n+1an\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n+1} a_n, where an>0a_n > 0 for all nn.

State the first condition for the Alternating Series Test.

limnan=0\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n = 0

State the second condition for the Alternating Series Test.

ana_n is a decreasing sequence, i.e., an>an+1a_n > a_{n+1} for all nn beyond some index.

Explain the Alternating Series Test.

If limnan=0\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n = 0 and ana_n is decreasing, then the alternating series (1)nan\sum (-1)^n a_n converges.

Why is it important that ana_n decreases in the Alternating Series Test?

It ensures that the terms are getting smaller in magnitude, allowing the partial sums to converge.

What happens if limnan0\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n \neq 0 in an alternating series?

The series diverges by the Divergence Test.

Does the Alternating Series Test determine absolute convergence?

No, it only determines conditional convergence. It doesn't tell us if an\sum |a_n| converges.

What is the significance of cos(nπ)\cos(n\pi) in alternating series?

cos(nπ)\cos(n\pi) is equivalent to (1)n(-1)^n, providing the alternating sign for the series.

How to test n=1(1)nn\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{n} for convergence?

  1. Identify an=1na_n = \frac{1}{n}. 2. Check limn1n=0\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{1}{n} = 0. 3. Verify 1n>1n+1\frac{1}{n} > \frac{1}{n+1}. Since both conditions are met, the series converges.

How to test n=1(1)nnn+1\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n n}{n+1} for convergence?

  1. Identify an=nn+1a_n = \frac{n}{n+1}. 2. Check limnnn+1=10\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{n}{n+1} = 1 \neq 0. Since the limit is not 0, the series diverges.

How to test n=1(1)nln(n)\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{\ln(n)} for convergence?

  1. Identify an=1ln(n)a_n = \frac{1}{\ln(n)}. 2. Check limn1ln(n)=0\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{1}{\ln(n)} = 0. 3. Verify 1ln(n)>1ln(n+1)\frac{1}{\ln(n)} > \frac{1}{\ln(n+1)}. Since both conditions are met, the series converges.

How to test n=1(1)nn22n\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n n^2}{2^n} for convergence?

  1. Identify an=n22na_n = \frac{n^2}{2^n}. 2. Check limnn22n=0\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{n^2}{2^n} = 0 (using L'Hopital's rule). 3. Verify n22n>(n+1)22n+1\frac{n^2}{2^n} > \frac{(n+1)^2}{2^{n+1}} (true for large n). Since both conditions are met, the series converges.