How do you find the interval of convergence #Sigma 4^n/(3^n+5^n)x^n# from #n=[0,oo)#?

1 Answer
Jan 16, 2017

The series:

#sum_(n=0)^oo (4^n)/(3^n+5^n)x^n#

is convergent in the interval #x in (-5/4,5/4)# where it is absolutely convergent.

Explanation:

The ratio test states that a series #sum_(n=0)^oo a_n# converges absolutely if:

#lim_(n->oo) abs (a_(n+1)/a_n) < 1#

Let us determine the ratio for the series:

#sum_(n=0)^oo (4^n)/(3^n+5^n)x^n#

#abs (a_(n+1)/a_n) = (4^(n+1)/(3^(n+1)+5^(n+1))abs(x)^(n+1))/(4^n/(3^n+5^n)abs(x)^n)=4abs(x) (3^n+5^n)/(3^(n+1)+5^(n+1))=4/5abs(x) (1+(3/5)^n)/(1+(3/5)^(n+1))#

Now, as #3/5 < 1# we have that:

#lim_(n->oo) (3/5)^n = 0#

so that:

#lim_(n->oo) abs (a_(n+1)/a_n) = lim_(n->oo) 4/5abs(x) (1+(3/5)^n)/(1+(3/5)^(n+1)) = 4/5absx#

We can then conclude that for:

#absx <5/4 => lim_(n->oo) abs (a_(n+1)/a_n) <1# and the series is absolutely convergent

#absx > 5/4 => lim_(n->oo) abs (a_(n+1)/a_n) >1# and the series is divergent,

The case where #abs(x) = 5/4# is indeterminate and we have to analyze in detail.

In the case where #x=+-5/4# we have:

#abs(a_n) = 4^n/(3^n+5^n)(5/4)^n = 5^n/(3^n+5^n) = 1/(1+(3/5)^n)#

so that:

#lim_(n->oo) abs(a_n) = 1 >0#

and that means that the series cannot converge.

In conclusion the series is convergent in the interval #x in (-5/4,5/4)# where it is also absolutely convergent.