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#1 2013-02-08 23:49:33

Johnathon bresly
Guest

Convergence

What is the difference between absolute and conditional convergence?[examples will be appreciated]

#2 2013-02-09 04:43:18

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: Convergence

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#3 2013-02-11 01:39:33

scientia
Member
Registered: 2009-11-13
Posts: 224

Re: Convergence

The sequence $\sum_na_n$ is absolutely convergent iff both $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_n$ and $\sum_{n=0}^\infty|a_n|$ converge.

It is conditionally convergent iff $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_n$ converges while $\sum_{n=0}^\infty|a_n|$ diverges.

Examples.

$\sum_n\frac{(-1)^n}{2^n}$ is absolutely convergent. We have $\sum_{n=0}^\infty\frac{(-1)^n}{2^n}=1-\frac12+\frac14-\frac18+\cdots=\frac23$ and $\sum_{n=0}^\infty\left|\frac{(-1)^n}{2^n}\right|=1+\frac12+\frac14+\cdots=2$.

$\sum_n\frac{(-1)^n}n$ is conditionally convergent. We have $\sum_{n=0}^\infty\frac{(-1)^n}n=1-\frac12+\frac13-\frac14+\cdots=\ln2$ while $\sum_{n=0}^\infty\left|\frac{(-1)^n}n\right|=1+\frac12+\frac13+\cdots$ is divergent.

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