Limit comparison test

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In mathematics, the limit comparison test (LCT) (in contrast with the related direct comparison test) is a method of testing for the convergence of an infinite series.

Statement

Suppose that we have two series $\Sigma_n a_n$ and $\Sigma_n b_n$ with $a_n, b_n \geq 0$ for all $n$.

Then if $\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n} = c$ with $0 < c < \infty$ then either both series converge or both series diverge.

Proof

Because $\lim \frac{a_n}{b_n} = c$ we know that for all $\varepsilon$ there is an integer $n_0$ such that for all $n \geq n_0$ we have that $\left| \frac{a_n}{b_n} - c \right| < \varepsilon$, or what is the same

$- \varepsilon < \frac{a_n}{b_n} - c < \varepsilon$

$c - \varepsilon < \frac{a_n}{b_n} < c + \varepsilon$

$(c - \varepsilon)b_n < a_n < (c + \varepsilon)b_n$

As $c > 0$ we can choose $\varepsilon$ to be sufficiently small such that $c-\varepsilon$ is positive. So $b_n < \frac{1}{c-\varepsilon} a_n$ and by the direct comparison test, if $a_n$ converges then so does $b_n$.

Similarly $a_n < (c + \varepsilon)b_n$, so if $b_n$ converges, again by the direct comparison test, so does $a_n$.

That is both series converge or both series diverge.

Example

We want to determine if the series $\Sigma \frac{1}{n^2 + 2n}$ converges. For this we compare with the convergent series $\Sigma \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}$.

As $\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{1}{n^2 + 2n} \frac{n^2}{1} = 1 > 0$ we have that the original series also converges.

See also

• Convergence tests
• Direct comparison test

External links

• Pauls Online Notes on Comparison Test