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TIFR 2013 Problem 40 Solution is a part of TIFR entrance preparation series. The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research is India’s premier institution for advanced research in Mathematics. The Institute runs a graduate programme leading to the award of Ph.D., Integrated M.Sc.-Ph.D. as well as M.Sc. degree in certain subjects.
The image is a front cover of a book named Introduction to Real Analysis by R.G. Bartle, D.R. Sherbert. This book is very useful for the preparation of TIFR Entrance.

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Problem:True/False?

The series $$1-\frac{1}{\sqrt2}+\frac{1}{\sqrt3}-\frac{1}{\sqrt4}+…$$ is divergent.

Hint:

Recall the alternating series test (or the Leibniz test)

Discussion:

Let $$a_n=\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$$. The alternating series test says that if we have a series like $$a_1-a_2+a_3-a_4+…$$ then a sufficient condition for the convergence of this series is: $$a_n$$ is decreasing and $$a_n\to 0$$ as $$n\to \infty$$.

Here, $$a_n$$ satisfies the above condition.

Therefore, the series converges.

Helpdesk

• What is this topic: Real Analysis
• What are some of the associated concept: Alternating Series, Decreasing Sequence, Convergence Criterion
• Book Suggestions: Introduction to Real Analysis by R.G. Bartle, D.R. Sherbert