Loglog p-series Consider the series ∑ (k = 2 to ∞) 1 / (k(ln k)(ln ln k)ᵖ), where p is a real number.
a. For what values of p does this series converge?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recognize that the given series is \( \sum_{k=2}^{\infty} \frac{1}{k (\ln k) (\ln \ln k)^p} \), which is a type of log-log p-series. To analyze its convergence, consider using the Integral Test because the terms are positive, continuous, and decreasing for sufficiently large \( k \).
2. Set up the corresponding integral to apply the Integral Test: \[ \int_2^{\infty} \frac{1}{x (\ln x) (\ln \ln x)^p} \, dx. \] The convergence of this integral will determine the convergence of the series.
3. Make the substitution \( t = \ln \ln x \). Then, compute \( dt \) in terms of \( dx \): since \( t = \ln(\ln x) \), we have \( dt = \frac{1}{\ln x} \cdot \frac{1}{x} dx \), which implies \( dx = x (\ln x) dt \). This substitution simplifies the integral to \[ \int_{t_0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{t^p} dt, \] where \( t_0 = \ln \ln 2 \).
4. Analyze the integral \( \int_{t_0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{t^p} dt \). This is a p-type integral, which converges if and only if \( p > 1 \) and diverges otherwise.
5. Conclude that the original series \( \sum_{k=2}^{\infty} \frac{1}{k (\ln k) (\ln \ln k)^p} \) converges if and only if \( p > 1 \), and diverges for \( p \leq 1 \).

Key Concepts

p-Series and Generalized p-Series

A p-series is a series of the form ∑ 1/n^p, which converges if and only if p > 1. The given series extends this idea by including logarithmic factors in the denominator, requiring an understanding of how these additional terms affect convergence compared to the standard p-series.

Integral Test for Convergence

The integral test relates the convergence of a series to the convergence of an improper integral of a corresponding function. For positive, decreasing functions, the series ∑ a_k converges if and only if the integral of f(x) from some point to infinity converges. This test is useful for series involving logarithmic terms.

Behavior of Logarithmic Functions in Series

Logarithmic functions like ln(k) and ln(ln(k)) grow slowly, affecting the convergence of series subtly. Understanding how powers of these nested logarithms influence the terms' decay rate is crucial to determining for which values of p the series converges.