Porisma

A hint to get started

Rationalise a radical sum and distinguish terms from partial sums

Given ∑n=1N(n+1−n−1)=N+N+1−1\sum_{n=1}^N(\sqrt{n+1}-\sqrt{n-1})=\sqrt N+\sqrt{N+1}-1:

(i) Find exactly (a) ∑n=50100(n+1−n−1)\sum_{n=50}^{100}(\sqrt{n+1}-\sqrt{n-1}) marks, and (b) ∑n=501001/(n+1+n−1)\sum_{n=50}^{100}1/(\sqrt{n+1}+\sqrt{n-1}). mark

(ii) State with a reason whether ∑n=1∞(n+1−n−1)\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(\sqrt{n+1}-\sqrt{n-1}) converges. mark

[2013/PJC/Promo/8(modified)]

CJC · Review problems · Question 6

Subtract the prefix ending at 49, and use the conjugate to connect the second sum to the first.

Read the worked solution