What is the interval of convergence of #sum_1^oo ((n+1)*(x+4)^n )/ ((7^n)*(5n-3) ) #?

1 Answer
Jan 22, 2017

#sum_(n=1)^oo ((n+1)(x+4)^n)/(7^n(5n-3))#

is convergent for #x in (-11,3)#

Explanation:

We can apply the ratio test stating that a necessary condition for the series:

#sum_(n=1)^oo a_n#

to converge is that:

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

If #L<1# the condition is also sufficient and the series converges absolutely.

Lat's calculate the ratio for the series:

#abs(a_(n+1)/a_n) = abs ( frac ((((n+1)+1)(x+4)^(n+1))/(7^(n+1)(5(n+1)-3))) (((n+1)(x+4)^n)/(7^n(5n-3)))#

#abs(a_(n+1)/a_n) = ((n+2)abs(x+4)^(n+1))/(7^(n+1)(5n+2)) (7^n(5n-3))/((n+1)abs(x+4)^n)#

#abs(a_(n+1)/a_n) = (n+2)/(n+1) abs(x+4)^(n+1) / abs(x+4)^n 7^n/7^(n+1) (5n-3)/(5n+2)#

#abs(a_(n+1)/a_n) = 1/7abs(x+4) ( (n+2)/(n+1))((5n-3)/(5n+2))#

Passing to the limit:

#lim_(n->oo) abs(a_(n+1)/a_n) =1/7abs(x+4) #

Thus we have that the series is absolutely convergent for:

#1/7abs(x+4) < 1#

#abs(x+4) < 7#

# -11 < x < 3#

and divergent for #x<-11# and #x>3#.

For #abs(x+4) = 7# the test is inconclusive and we have to analyze case by case:

(1) # x= -11#

#a_n= ((n+1)(-11+4)^n)/(7^n(5n-3)) = (-1)^n (n+1)/(5n-3)#

(2) # x= 3#

#a_n= ((n+1)(3+4)^n)/(7^n(5n-3)) = (n+1)/(5n-3)#

In both cases we have:

#lim_(n->oo) a_n != 0#

so the series doesn't satisfy Cauchy's necessary condition and cannot be convergent.

In conclusion the series is convergent for #x in (-11,3)#