Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2010/ia/paper-1/9e/c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2010 ia Paper 1 9E c Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
The alternating series test states that if decreases to zero, then converges. Indeed, its even and odd partial sums are monotone in opposite directions and bound each other, while their difference tends to zero. Here decreases to zero, so the series converges.
It fails absolute convergence, since for ,The p-series diverges. This also follows by comparison with the divergent harmonic series, because . The comparison test for series therefore shows that diverges. Thus
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