Sum from 1 to infinity of (1+n)/((n)2^n) ~ is this right?

In summary: In order to find the sum, we would need to evaluate the series, which is not possible using the ratio test. It is possible to find the sum using other methods, such as the geometric series formula.
  • #1
Lo.Lee.Ta.
217
0
1.

Ʃ (1+n)/[(n)(2n)]
n=1


2. When I see that there is an n as an exponent, I think to do the ratio test.
___________________________________________________________________________

[itex]\frac{\frac{1+n+1}{(n+1)(2^{n+1})}}{\frac{1+n}{(n)(2^{n})}}[/itex]

= [itex]\frac{n(n+2)}{2(n+1)^{2}}[/itex]

= [itex]\frac{n^{2} + 2n}{2(n+1)^{2}}[/itex]


Would equal ∞/∞, so I think I'm supposed to do L'Hospital's rule...

→L'Hospital's→ [itex]\frac{2n^{2} + 2}{4n + 2}[/itex]

I think it would still equal ∞/∞, so would I do L'Hospital rule again?

→L'Hospital's→ [itex]\frac{4n + 2}{4}[/itex]

It no longer equals ∞/∞, so would we then have: n + 1/2 = ∞

This really doesn't seem right... :/
Please help!
Thanks so much! :D
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
Lo.Lee.Ta. said:
1.

Ʃ (1+n)/[(n)(2n)]
n=1


2. When I see that there is an n as an exponent, I think to do the ratio test.
______________________________________________________________________________

[itex]\frac{\frac{1+n+1}{(n+1)(2n+1}}{\frac{1+n}{(n)(2n)}}[/itex]

= [itex]\frac{n(n+2)}{2(n+1)2}[/itex]

= [itex]\frac{n2 + 2n}{2(n+1)2}[/itex]

ALSO, DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MY LATEX SYMBOLS?!
Yes. You can't use the [ SUP] [\SUP] tags in LaTeX.
I'm trying to write the same thing as what's below:

[(1+n+1)/[(n+1)(2n+1)]]/[(1+n)/((n)(2n))]

= n(n+2)/(2(n+1)2)

= (n2 + 2n)/(2n2 + 2n + 1)
______________________________________________________________________________

Would equal ∞/∞, so I think I'm supposed to do L'Hospital's rule...

→L'Hospital's→ [itex]\frac{2n^2 + 2}{4n + 2}[/itex]

I think it would still equal ∞/∞, so would I do L'Hospital rule again?

→L'Hospital's→ [itex]\frac{4n + 2}{4}[/itex]

It no longer equals ∞/∞, so would we then have: n + 1/2 = ∞

This really doesn't seem right... :/
Please help!
Thanks so much! :D
Are you only checking for convergence, or do you need to evaluate the series?
 
  • #3
Yay, I figured out the Latex.

And I guess I only have to check for convergence, but would I be able to find what it actually converges to?
 
  • #4
[itex]\displaystyle \frac{1+n}{n}=\frac{1}{n}+1[/itex]
 
  • #5
Okay, I didn't distribute 2 to all the terms in the denominator!

I think it should really be:

[itex]\frac{n^{2} + 2n}{2n^{2} + 4n + 2}[/itex]

But because we have 2 as the highest power in both the denominator and numerator, can't we use the ratio of the coefficients and just say that the expression goes to 1/2?

In the ratio test, if our answer is less than 1, it converges. If it's greater than 1, it diverges.

So in this case, our expression converges.

...Also, can we figure out what the number is that it converges to? Is that number 1/2?

Thanks! :)
 
  • #6
Lo.Lee.Ta. said:
Okay, I didn't distribute 2 to all the terms in the denominator!

I think it should really be:

[itex]\frac{n^{2} + 2n}{2n^{2} + 4n + 2}[/itex]

But because we have 2 as the highest power in both the denominator and numerator, can't we use the ratio of the coefficients and just say that the expression goes to 1/2?
Yes, the limit is 1/2. An easier way to see this is:
$$ \lim_{n \to \infty}\frac{n^2 + 2n}{2(n + 1)^2} = \lim_{n \to \infty}\frac{n^2(1 + 2/n)}{2n^2(1 + 2/n + 1/n^2 } = 1/2$$
Lo.Lee.Ta. said:
In the ratio test, if our answer is less than 1, it converges. If it's greater than 1, it diverges.
You would be clearer if you didn't use the word "it." In the sentence above, "it" refers to two different things.

In the ratio test, if our answer is less than 1, [STRIKE]it[/STRIKE] the series converges. If [STRIKE]it's[/STRIKE] the answer is greater than 1, [STRIKE]it[/STRIKE] the series diverges.
Lo.Lee.Ta. said:
So in this case, our expression converges.

...Also, can we figure out what the number is that it converges to? Is that number 1/2?

Thanks! :)
No, the fact that the ratio of successive terms has a limit of 1/2 tells us only that the series converges, but not what the sum of the series is.
 

FAQ: Sum from 1 to infinity of (1+n)/((n)2^n) ~ is this right?

1. What does "Sum from 1 to infinity of (1+n)/((n)2^n)" mean?

The phrase "sum from 1 to infinity" indicates that the expression is an infinite series, where the values of n start at 1 and continue infinitely. The expression (1+n)/((n)2^n) is the term in the series, and it is being summed or added together for all values of n from 1 to infinity.

2. How do you solve this infinite series?

To solve this series, we can use a mathematical concept called limits. By taking the limit as n approaches infinity, we can determine the value that the series approaches. This value is known as the sum of the infinite series.

3. What is the significance of the "1+n" in the numerator?

The "1+n" in the numerator represents the first term in the series, which is 2. This term is added to the rest of the series, which starts at n=2. Including the "1+n" term in the series allows for a more accurate calculation of the sum as n approaches infinity.

4. How does the value of the denominator, (n)2^n, affect the sum of the series?

The value of the denominator, (n)2^n, determines the rate at which the terms in the series increase. As n increases, the denominator also increases, causing the terms in the series to decrease. This results in a smaller sum as n approaches infinity.

5. Is this expression correct?

Yes, this expression is correct. It represents a valid infinite series and can be solved using mathematical concepts such as limits and geometric series. However, the exact value of the sum may be difficult to determine without using a calculator or computer program.

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