Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2012 / ia / Paper 1 / 12F / a / i

For a series $\sum u_n$ with $u_n>0$, suppose $L={\lim }_{n\to \infty }{u}_{n+1}/u_n$ exists, allowing $L=+\infty$. The ratio test says the series converges if $L<1$ and diverges if $L>1$. In the first case an eventual ratio bound by some $q<1$ compares the tail to a geometric series. In the second case an eventual ratio above some $q>1$ prevents the terms tending to zero.

If $L=1$, the test is inconclusive: both $\sum 1/n$ and $\sum 1/n^2$ have limiting ratio one, while the first diverges and the second converges. If the ratio has no limit, this particular limit formulation gives no conclusion.