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Ch. 10 - Sequences and Infinite Series
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 10, Problem 10.8.5

1–10. Choosing convergence tests Identify a convergence test for each series. If necessary, explain how to simplify or rewrite the series before applying the convergence test. You do not need to carry out the convergence test.
∑ (from k = 10 to ∞) 1 / (k − 9)⁵

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1
First, rewrite the series to simplify the expression inside the summation. Notice that the term is \( \frac{1}{(k - 9)^5} \). Let \( n = k - 9 \), so when \( k = 10 \), \( n = 1 \). Thus, the series becomes \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^5} \).
Recognize that the rewritten series is a p-series of the form \( \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^p} \) where \( p = 5 \).
Recall the p-series convergence test: a p-series converges if and only if \( p > 1 \). Since \( p = 5 > 1 \), this series converges.
Therefore, the appropriate convergence test to identify this series' behavior is the p-series test.
No further simplification is necessary because the series is already in a standard form suitable for applying the p-series test.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Infinite Series and Convergence

An infinite series is the sum of infinitely many terms. Understanding whether such a series converges (approaches a finite value) or diverges is fundamental. Convergence depends on the behavior of the terms as the index grows large.
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p-Series Test

The p-series test applies to series of the form ∑ 1/n^p. It states that the series converges if p > 1 and diverges otherwise. Recognizing a series as a p-series or rewriting it into this form helps quickly determine convergence.
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Index Shifting and Simplification

Rewriting or shifting the index of summation can simplify a series to a more recognizable form. For example, changing variables to start the index at 1 can help identify the series type and apply appropriate convergence tests.
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