Question

∑∞n=1/n does it diverge

Answers

Answered by GPT-4o mini
The series you are referring to is the harmonic series, which is given by:

\[
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n}
\]

This series is known to diverge. One common way to demonstrate this is by using the comparison test or the integral test.

### Integral Test:

Consider the function \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x} \). We can check the integral:

\[
\int_1^{\infty} \frac{1}{x} \, dx
\]

Calculating this integral, we have:

\[
\int_1^{\infty} \frac{1}{x} \, dx = \lim_{t \to \infty} \left[ \ln(x) \right]_1^{t} = \lim_{t \to \infty} (\ln(t) - \ln(1)) = \lim_{t \to \infty} \ln(t)
\]

Since \( \ln(t) \) approaches infinity as \( t \) approaches infinity, the integral diverges. By the Integral Test, since this improper integral diverges, the harmonic series also diverges.

### Conclusion:

Therefore, the series

\[
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n}
\]

diverges.

Related Questions