AP Calculus BC : Series of Constants

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Calculus BC

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Example Questions

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Example Question #5 : Ratio Test

Consider the following series :

where is given by:

. Using the ratio test, find the nature of the series.

Possible Answers:

We can't conclude when using the ratio test.

The series is convergent.

Correct answer:

We can't conclude when using the ratio test.

Explanation:

Let be the general term of the series. We will use the ratio test to check the convergence of the series. 

 if L<1 the series converges absolutely, L>1 the series diverges, and if L=1 the series could either converge or diverge.

We need to evaluate,

 we have:

.

Therefore:

. We know that,

 and therefore

This means that :

.

By the ratio test we can't conclude about the nature of the series. We will have to use another test.

 

Example Question #11 : Convergence And Divergence

We consider the series,

.

 Using the ratio test, what can we conclude about the nature of convergence of this series?

Possible Answers:

We will need to know the values of  to decide.

The series is convergent.

The series is divergent.

We can't use the ratio test here.

The series converges to .

Correct answer:

The series is convergent.

Explanation:

Note that the series is positive.

As it is required we will use the ratio test to check for the nature of the series. 

We have .

 

Therefore, 

 

 if L>1 the series diverges, if L<1 the series converges absolutely, and if L=1 the series may either converge or diverge.

Since the ratio test concludes that the series converges absolutely.

 

 

Example Question #101 : Polynomial Approximations And Series

Use the ratio test to determine if the series diverges or converges: 

Possible Answers:

The series converges.

The series diverges.

Unable to determine. 

Correct answer:

The series diverges.

Explanation:

This limit is infinite, so the series diverges. 

Example Question #102 : Polynomial Approximations And Series

Use the ratio test to determine if this series diverges or converges: 

Possible Answers:

The series diverges 

Unable to determine 

The series converges 

Correct answer:

The series converges 

Explanation:

Since the limit is less than 1, the series converges. 

Example Question #41 : Series Of Constants

Use the ratio test to determine if the series  converges or diverges. 

Possible Answers:

The series diverges. 

The series converges. 

Unable to determine 

Correct answer:

The series diverges. 

Explanation:

The series diverges. 

Example Question #42 : Series Of Constants

Use the ratio test to determine if the series diverges or converges: 

Possible Answers:

The series diverges. 

Unable to determine

The series converges. 

Correct answer:

The series converges. 

Explanation:

The series converges. 

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