Summary of Comparison Tests

Essential Concepts

  • The comparison tests are used to determine convergence or divergence of series with positive terms.
  • When using the comparison tests, a series n=1an is often compared to a geometric or p-series.

Glossary

comparison test
if 0anbn for all nN and n=1bn converges, then n=1an converges; if anbn0 for all nN and n=1bn diverges, then n=1an diverges
limit comparison test
suppose an,bn0 for all n1. If limnanbnL0, then n=1an and n=1bn both converge or both diverge; if limnanbn0 and n=1bn converges, then n=1an converges. If limnanbn, and n=1bn diverges, then n=1an diverges