Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2010 / ia / Paper 1 / 9E / d / Solution

For $s=\pm 1$, the identity $s/(2+s)=-1/3+(2/3)s$ givesThe alternating series test applies to $\sum (-1{)}^n/n$ because $1/n$ decreases to zero; its partial sums consequently have a finite limit. The harmonic series $\sum 1/n$ diverges to $+\infty$. Applying the displayed identity to each finite partial sum yieldsTherefore $\boxed{\text{the series diverges to }-\infty }$. Alternating signs alone do not satisfy the alternating series test: the magnitudes jump from $1/(3n)$ at even $n$ to $1/(n+1)$ at the next odd index.