Calculus: Early Transcendentals 9th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1337613924
ISBN 13: 978-1-33761-392-7

Chapter 11 - Section 11.2 - Series - 11.2 Exercises - Page 750: 85

Answer

The step $=1+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+...$ is incorrect since addition is only associative for finitely many terms, not for infinitely many terms.

Work Step by Step

$0=0+0+0+...$ $=(1-1)+(1-1)+(1-1)+(1-1)+...$ $=1-1+1-1+1-1+...$ $=1+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+...$ (1) $=1+0+0+0...=1$ Hence, the step $=1+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+...$ is incorrect since addition is only associative for finitely many terms, not for infinitely many terms.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.