Calculus: Early Transcendentals (2nd Edition)

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

Chapter 8 - Sequences and Infinite Series - 8.5 The Ratio, Root, and Comparison Tests - 8.5 Exercises - Page 648: 83

Answer

$ 0 \leq x \lt 1$

Work Step by Step

Let us consider a Ratio Test for a series $l=\lim\limits_{n \to \infty}|\dfrac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}|$ 1) When $l \lt 1$. then series $\Sigma a_n$ converges absolutely. 2) When $l \gt 1$. then series $\Sigma a_n$ diverges. 3) When $l = 1$. then series $\Sigma a_n$ may converge or diverge, that is, the test is inconclusive. Here, we have $a_k=x^k$ Now, $l=\lim\limits_{n \to \infty}|\dfrac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}|=\lim\limits_{n \to \infty}|\dfrac{ x \cdot x^k}{x^k}|$ or, $l=\lim\limits_{k \to \infty} x= x \lim\limits_{k \to \infty} (1)=(x)(1)=x$ But the series $\Sigma_{k=1}^\infty x^k$ will only converge when $l=0 \lt 1$ by the ratio test. Thus. $l=x \lt 1 \implies 0 \leq x \lt 1$
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