Limit Comparison Test

Suppose and are two infinite series. Suppose also that
r = lim | a _n / b _n |
exists and 0 < r < Then converges absolutely if and only if converges absolutely.
Context

This test is more useful than the "direct" comparison test because you do not need to compare the terms of two series too carefully. It is sufficient if the two terms behave similar "in the long run".

Examples 4.2.6:

Use the limit convergence test to decide whether the following series converge or diverge. Note that you need to know convergence of the p-series .

Does the series converge or diverge ?
Does the series converge of diverge ?
If r(n) = p(n) / q(n), where p and q are polynomials in n, can you find general criteria for the series p(n) to converge or diverge ?

Proof:

Since r = lim | a _n / b _n | exists, and r is between 0 and infinity there exist constants c and C, 0 < c < C < such that for some positive integer N we have:

c < | a _n / b _n | < C

if n > N. Assume

converges absolutely. From above we have that

c | b _n | < | a_n |

for n > N. Hence,

converges absolutely by the comparison test.

Assume converges absolutely. From above we have that

|a _n | < C | b _n |

for n > N. But since the series C also converges absolutely, we can use again the comparison test to see that

must converge absolutely.

Interactive Real Analysis, ver. 1.9.5
(c) 1994-2007, Bert G. Wachsmuth
Page last modified: Mar 28, 2007

*Examples 4.2.6:*
	Use the limit convergence test to decide whether the following series converge or diverge. Note that you need to know convergence of the p-series . Does the series converge or diverge ? Does the series converge of diverge ? If r(n) = p(n) / q(n), where p and q are polynomials in n, can you find general criteria for the series p(n) to converge or diverge ?