Calculus: Early Transcendentals (2nd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321947347
ISBN 13: 978-0-32194-734-5

Chapter 8 - Sequences and Infinite Series - 8.3 Infinite Series - 8.3 Exercises - Page 624: 64

Answer

$\dfrac{1}{a(a+1)}$

Work Step by Step

Let us consider an infinite series $\Sigma_{n=k}^{n=\infty} a_n$. This series will converge to the sum $S$ when the sequence of its partial sums $\{S_n\}$ converge to $S$. That is, $S=\lim\limits_{N \to \infty} S_n$ and $S=\Sigma_{n=k}^{n=\infty} a_n$. This series will diverge when the limit does not exist and the series will diverge to infinity when the limit is infinite. Here, we have $S_n=\dfrac{1}{a} \Sigma_{k=1}^{n} (\dfrac{1}{ak+1}-\dfrac{1}{ak+a+1})$ or, $= \dfrac{1}{a} [\dfrac{1}{a+1}-\dfrac{1}{2a+1}+\dfrac{1}{2a+1}-\dfrac{1}{3a+1}+....+\dfrac{1}{na+1}-\dfrac{1}{(n+1)(a+1)}]$ or, $= \dfrac{1}{a} [\dfrac{1}{a+1}-\dfrac{1}{(n+1)(a+1)}]$ Now, $S=\lim\limits_{n \to \infty} S_n=\dfrac{1}{a} [\lim\limits_{n \to \infty} \dfrac{1}{a+1}-\lim\limits_{n \to \infty} \dfrac{1}{(n+1)(a+1)}=\dfrac{1}{a}[\dfrac{1}{a+1}-0]$ or, $S=\dfrac{1}{a(a+1)}$
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.