Series : Is the yes Is the series yes Is the series yes
X
lim an = 0? alternating? decreasing? The series converges.
an n→∞
an+1 an < 0 |an+1 | ≤ |an |
no no no
1
Replace
X the series
X with
The series is divergent.
bn = |an |
Are there Calculate
factorials yes Is yes The series is
bn+1
or geometric Ratio Test L = lim L < 1? absolutely convergent
n→∞ bn
terms?
no
no
no2 Is yes
The series diverges.
L > 1?
Are there yes Calculate yes
Is The series is
n0 s in the p
Root Test L = lim n |bn | L < 1? absolutely convergent
exponents? n→∞
no
no
no3 Is yes
The series diverges.
L > 1?
Is it a Find X
a simpler series
p-series? no cn with
X 1 cn
0 < lim <∞
np n→∞ bn
no
yes
Is it a Can you
yes p-series? no
Is p > 1? X 1 integrate
f (n) = cn ?
np no4
no
yes does yes
yes Integral Test The series diverges.
L = ∞?
Let f (n) = cn . Calculate
The series is The series is Z ∞
absolutely convergent divergent L= f (x) dx no
1
yes The series is
0 < L < ∞? absolutely convergent
X
1You can use bn with 0 ≤ bn ≤ |an | and then only test for divergence below. Or, you
X
can use bn with |an | ≤ bn and then only test for convergence below.
2You got here because L = 1 or the limit did not exist, so the Ratio Test was inconclusive
3You got here because L = 1 or the limit did not exist, so the Root Test was inconclusive
4You should never get here.
