Posts Tagged ‘series’
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
How to Find the Common Ratio of a Geometric Series
Description
A detailed tutorial on how to find the common ratio of a geometric series. Step by step tutorial including several examples of the common ratio for reference.
Overview
The common ratio is part of a geometric series, used commonly in calculus. The common ratio is the ratio of each term to the next – in other words, the common ratio is the pattern that the series or sequence follows. This is possible because in a geometric series, terms are only being multiplied by one number to get the next number, and it is always the same number. If a series is not geometric, it will not have a common ratio.
Tags: Calculus, common, geometric, multiplication, multiply, number, pattern, ratio, sequence, series, term
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Overview of the Monotone Convergence Theorem
Description
A detailed tutorial on the monotone convergence theorem. Step by step tutorial including several examples of the monotone convergence theorem for reference.
Overview
There are several different theorems that the term “monotone convergence” can apply to. However, the most important one, and the one most common called the monotone convergence theorem, is the Lebesgue Monotone Convergence Theorem. This particular monotone convergence theorem deals with calculus, and with integrals and limits specifically. It is a more general form of the other two monotone convergence theorems, which is why it is considered to be the most important.
Tags: Calculus, converge, convergence, form, general, integral, Lebesgue, limit, monotone, number, real, sequence, series, theorem
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
How to Test for Convergence Using the Alternating Series Test
Description
A detailed tutorial on testing for convergence using the alternating series test. Step by step tutorial including several examples of testing for convergence using the alternating series test for reference.
Overview
The alternating series test, like all convergence and divergence tests, is fairly easy. The hardest part is figuring out if you should use the AST, or a different test. An easy way to tell is, is the equation negative? What would happen if you pulled a negative one out? Or maybe, there is already a negative one outside of the equation. If you see any fraction, function, or any equation at all with a -1 to an odd power at the front (or at the front of the numerator, in a fraction) then you should use the alternating series test for it. If the series is decreasing over time, and the limit is approaching zero, then the series is convergent. The alternating series test is normally used in conjunction with another test for convergence.
Tags: -1, alternating, AST, Calculus, converge, convergence, decreasing, diverge, divergence, fraction, function, limit, Math, negative, one, series, test, zero
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
The Application of Bessel Functions
Description
A detailed tutorial on the application of Bessel functions. Step by step tutorial including several examples of the application of Bessel functions for reference.
Overview
Bessel functions are the solution to Bessel’s equation – although they were created by the same person, the question and the answer are seperated into two different things. This is because Bessel functions are also used to solve other things, such as Laplace’s equation and the Helmholtz equation. It can also be used with spherical and cylindrical coordinates. There are many different definitions of Bessel functions, but the most common one involves a Taylor series expansion around x = 0. Mathematically this is expressed as:
Tags: Bessel, cylindrical, differential equations, equation, expansion, function, functions, helmholtz equation, Laplace's Equation, Math, series, spherical, Taylor
Posted in Differential Equations | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
How to Test for Convergence Using the Geometric Series Test
Description
A detailed tutorial on how to test for convergence using the geometric series test. Step by step tutorial including several examples of testing for convergence using the geometric series test for reference.
Overview
A geometric series is a series that maintains a constant ratio between a set of terms. This series is an addition series, and would be expressed as 1/a + 1/2a + 1/4a, extending as far as you wish in either direction. If a series does not have that constant ratio, then it is not a geometric series. The series should converge at one, because as all the numbers are added they get closer and closer to one. The first term of a geometric series is given by a, and the ratio of a geometric series is given by r. If the ratio is less than one, then the geometric series converges to a / (1 – r). If the ratio is greater than or equal to one, then the series diverges. Usually the series will converge, which is why this is considered a test for convergence and not for divergence.
Tags: a, addition, Calculus, converge, convergence, diverge, divergence, equal to, first term, geometric, greater than, less than, Math, notation, r, ratio, series, summation, test
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »