Finding the General Term of a Series

In summary, the general term for the given series is $$a_n = 1\cdot 4 \cdot 7 ... (3n-2)$$ and the nature of the series is divergent.
  • #1
smart_worker
131
1

Homework Statement



Find the general term and test the nature of the series:

Homework Equations



1+1*4+1*4*7+...

The Attempt at a Solution



Term N = Term (N-1) * 3N-2

Hence,3(N-1)-2 * 3N-2

which simplifies to (3N-5)(3N-1) = 9N^2 - 18N + 5


Is this correct?
 
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  • #2
smart_worker said:

Homework Statement



Find the general term and test the nature of the series:

Homework Equations



1+1*4+1*4*7+...

The Attempt at a Solution



Term N = Term (N-1) * 3N-2

Hence,3(N-1)-2 * 3N-2

which simplifies to (3N-5)(3N-1) = 9N^2 - 18N + 5


Is this correct?

No. Each term of your series has one more factor in it. So the nth term would have to written like$$
a_n = 1\cdot 4 \cdot 7 ...(\text{something involving }n)$$where that "something" is a formula for the last factor of ##a_n##.
 

Related to Finding the General Term of a Series

What is a general term of a series?

A general term of a series is a formula or expression that represents the pattern or rule for the terms in a series. It can be used to calculate any term in the series without having to write out all of the previous terms.

How do you find the general term of a series?

To find the general term of a series, you need to look for a pattern in the terms. This could be a common difference or ratio between the terms. Once you have identified the pattern, you can write out a formula or expression that represents it. You can then use this formula to calculate any term in the series.

Why is it important to know the general term of a series?

Knowing the general term of a series can help you to quickly calculate any term in the series without having to write out all of the previous terms. It also allows you to identify the behavior and characteristics of the series, such as whether it is finite or infinite, convergent or divergent.

What are some common types of series that have general terms?

Some common types of series that have general terms include arithmetic series, geometric series, and power series. These series have specific formulas or expressions that can be used to calculate any term in the series.

How can the general term of a series be used in real-world applications?

The general term of a series can be used in many real-world applications, such as predicting future population growth, calculating compound interest, and modeling natural phenomena like population growth or radioactive decay. It can also be used in computer programming and data analysis to generate and analyze large sets of data.

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