I used a limit comparison test, what do I do next
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I used a limit comparison test, what do I do next

[From: ] [author: ] [Date: 11-12-11] [Hit: ]
S(cos^2(n))/(n^2+1).I decided to use a limit comparison test.First, I used the integral test to determine whether b_n was convergent or not, and it is convergent (specifically to pi/2).Then I used the limit comparison test on the two (all limits I write that tend to infinity,......
Test for convergence/divergence?
This is from the 6th edition of Calculus by James Stewart, page 745, #9.

Determine whether the series converges of diverges. I will use S to denote the sum from 1 to infinity.

S(cos^2(n))/(n^2+1).

I decided to use a limit comparison test.

a_n = S(cos^2(n))/(n^2+1)
b_n = 1/(n^2 + 1)

First, I used the integral test to determine whether b_n was convergent or not, and it is convergent (specifically to pi/2).

Then I used the limit comparison test on the two (all limits I write that tend to infinity, I'll use write with "lim")

lim a_n / b_n = lim (cos^2(n)/(n^2+1)) / (1/(n^2 + 1)) = lim cos^2(n).

Then I don't know what to do. I know that the cos function is oscillating, so wouldn't cos^2(n) also be oscillating, meaning that the series doesn't converge to anything? Can somebody please help me and explain how to get to the solution? The answer is convergent.

Thank you.

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The Limit Comparison Test not apply with the function you chose.

However, we can use the Direct Comparison Test.
Since cos^2(n)/(n^2 + 1) ≤ 1/(n^2 + 1) for all n > 0.

Since Σ(n = 1 to ∞) 1/(n^2 + 1) is convergent (from the integral test, as you said),
the series in question must also converge.

I hope this helps!

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Since -1 ≤ cos n ≤ 1 for all n, we have 0 ≤ cos^2(n) ≤ 1 for all n.

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