Use the Alternating Series Test to determine if the following series is conditionally convergent, absolutely convergent, or divergent.
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- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
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- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
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14. Sequences & Series
Convergence Tests
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Use the Alternating Series Test to approximate the sum of the series using the first five terms.
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Step 1: Understand the Alternating Series Test. This test states that if the terms of an alternating series decrease in magnitude and approach zero, then the series converges. Additionally, the sum of the series can be approximated by summing the first few terms, and the error is less than or equal to the magnitude of the next term.
Step 2: Identify the general term of the series. The given series is ∑n=1∞(−1)n+1/(√n+2). The general term is a_n = 1/(√n+2). Note that the series alternates because of the (−1)^(n+1) factor.
Step 3: Verify the conditions of the Alternating Series Test. Check that the terms a_n = 1/(√n+2) decrease in magnitude as n increases and that lim(n→∞) a_n = 0. Both conditions are satisfied because the denominator √n+2 increases as n increases, making a_n smaller, and as n approaches infinity, a_n approaches 0.
Step 4: Approximate the sum using the first five terms. Calculate the first five terms of the series by substituting n = 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 into the formula a_n = 1/(√n+2). Remember to alternate the signs based on (−1)^(n+1). Sum these terms to approximate the series.
Step 5: Evaluate the error bound. The error in the approximation is less than or equal to the magnitude of the sixth term, a_6 = 1/(√6+2). This provides an estimate of how close the approximation is to the actual sum of the series.
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