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I have a series which I have shown converges with the ratio test. I've observed that the partial sums appear to be approaching $\frac{1}{2}$.

How would I go about proving this? I have considered using the Squeeze theorem, but I can't find any information on using that theorem to show convergence to a specific limit, and I currently have some misgivings that it is rigorous.

Thank you in advance for your help!

EDIT: The series of interest is $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} {2n \choose n } \frac{2^n}{(n+1)\cdot 3^{2n+1}}$$

Shaun
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  • Showing that a series converges is generally far simpler than showing what the limit is. It is impossible to say how you'd go about doing that without seeing what the series is. – Jiri Lebl Jan 28 '20 at 22:46
  • Have you looked at this or this question? – ViktorStein Jan 28 '20 at 22:50
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    @ViktorGlombik I had not! Thank you very much for the response, I can show the convergence now. I sincerely appreciate the help! – Shaun Jan 28 '20 at 22:58
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    When providing clarification, please click on the tiny edit to improve the body of the post instead of commenting. – Lee David Chung Lin Jan 28 '20 at 23:05
  • @LeeDavidChungLin Thank you very much for your suggestion, I've made that edit. I appreciate the feedback as I am obviously new. Where my question has been answered in the comment thread(or more specifically, in a link to another question), how would you recommend I close this question? – Shaun Jan 28 '20 at 23:13
  • Please see this meta post about answered-in-comments. – Lee David Chung Lin Jan 28 '20 at 23:18

1 Answers1

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Rewrite $$S=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} {2n \choose n } \frac{2^n}{(n+1)\cdot 3^{2n+1}}=\frac 13\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} {2n \choose n } \frac{x^n}{(n+1)}$$ where $x=\frac 29$ that is to say $$S=\frac 1{3x}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} {2n \choose n } \frac{x^{n+1}}{(n+1)}$$ $$T=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} {2n \choose n } \frac{x^{n+1}}{(n+1)}\implies T'=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} {2n \choose n }x^n =\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-4 x}}$$ $$T=\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-4 x}}=-\frac{1}{2} \sqrt{1-4 x}+C$$ and $$C=\lim_{x\to 0} \, \frac{1}{2}\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-4 x}}=\frac 12$$ All of the above make $$S=\frac 1{3x}\frac{1-\sqrt{1-4 x} }2=\frac{1-\sqrt{1-4 x} }{6x}$$ Now, make $x=\frac 29$.

  • Any denominator of the form an+b can be done like this. – marty cohen Jan 29 '20 at 07:10
  • @martycohen. Be surprised ! I fully agree with you (joke !). Cheers :-) – Claude Leibovici Jan 29 '20 at 07:13
  • @ClaudeLeibovici Thank you very much for your answer. The only part that I am a bit fuzzy on is how you found the value of $C$. Would you please elaborate? – Shaun Jan 30 '20 at 21:26
  • @Shaun. Make $x=0$ ! You are welcome ! – Claude Leibovici Jan 31 '20 at 03:44
  • @ClaudeLeibovici thank you for your response, but I'm afraid I still don't understand; allow me to clarify: why do we choose to set C to be the limit of (1/2)T', and why do we choose x=0 instead of some other term, such at pi or infinity? I apologize for my lack of understanding, my exposure to analysis this far has been a bit limited. – Shaun Jan 31 '20 at 04:24