What is the root test?

1 Answer
Feb 23, 2017

Given:

#sum_(n=0)^oo a_n# with #a_n >=0#

and:

#lim_(n->oo) root(n)(a_n) = L#

then:

#0 <=L < 1 => sum_(n=0)^oo a_n# is convergent

# L > 1 => sum_(n=0)^oo a_n =oo#

Explanation:

The root test states that given a series with positive terms:

#sum_(n=0)^oo a_n# with #a_n >=0#

if the succession #{root(n)(a_n)}# is convergent:

#lim_(n->oo) root(n)(a_n) = L#

then we have:

#0 <=L < 1 => sum_(n=0)^oo a_n# is convergent

# L > 1 => sum_(n=0)^oo a_n =oo#

If #L = 1# then the test does not give us any information.

In fact, suppose that:

#lim_(n->oo) root(n)(a_n) = L < 1#

this means that for any #epsilon > 0# we can find #N# such that:

#root(n)(a_n) < L+epsilon# for #n > N#

As # L < 1# we can choose #epsilon# such that:

#L+epsilon < 1#

Then we have, for #n > N#:

#root(n)(a_n) < L + epsilon < 1#

and elevating both sides to the #n#-th power, which preserves the direction of the inequality:

#a_n < (L+epsilon)^n#

Now:

#sum_(n=0)^oo (L+epsilon)^n#

is a geometric series of ratio #L+epsilon < 1# and is absolutely convergent, so also:

#sum_(n=0)^oo a_n#

is convergent by direct comparison.

In the same way if #L > 1# we can establish the inequality:

#a_n > (L - epsilon)^n# with #L-epsilon > 1#

and determine that #sum_(n=0)^oo a_n# is divergent by direct comparison with a divergent geometric series.