Exercise 785Calculus › Single-variable calculus › Series › Convergence testsL1Added 2 Nov 2026
The integral test and Bertrand series
#integral test#Bertrand series#logarithm
Statement
Determine, for each real , whether converges.
Hint
The function is positive and decreasing for . Compare the series with an integral, using the substitution .
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Solution
The test. If is decreasing on , then and have the same nature.
Case . With , :
As this converges iff (the -test for integrals).
Case . diverges.
Case . for : diverges.
Answer. The series converges iff .
Remark. diverges, yet so slowly that the partial sum up to is only about : . By contrast converges.