Is the series \sum_(n=1)^\infty((-5)^(2n))/(n^2 9^n) absolutely convergent, conditionally convergent or divergent?

(Use the appropriate test)

1 Answer
Apr 20, 2018

Diverges by the Ratio Test.

Explanation:

We'll check for Absolute Convergence using the Ratio Test, where a_n=(-5)^(2n)/(n^2 9^n).

The Ratio Test tells us we take

L=lim_(n->oo)|a_(n+1)/a_n|, and

L<1 implies absolute convergence (and hence convergence),

L>1 implies divergence,

L=1 is inconclusive and we need to use another test.

Then,

a_(n+1)=(-5)^(2(n+1))/((n+1)^2 9^(n+1))=(-5)^(2n+2)/((n+1)^2 9^(n+1))

Thus,

L=lim_(n->oo)|(-5)^(2n+2)/((n+1)^2 9^(n+1))*(n^2 9^n)/(-5)^(2n)|

(-5)^(2n+2)/(-5)^(2n)=(-5)^2=25

9^n/9^(n+1)=1/9

We can factor these constants outside of the limit, getting

25/9lim_(n->oo)n^2/(n+1)^2=25/9>1

We dropped the absolute value bars as everything is positive when we go to infinity.

We also then have divergence by the Ratio Test.