Math 2.0

Sequences, series, summability Proof

Proof of the limit comparison test

Builds on Limit of a sequenceComparison testA series of nonnegative terms converges iff its partial sums are boundedPartial sum

Proof

  1. Apply the definition of the limit with ε=c/2>0\varepsilon = c/2 > 0. There is NN such that ∣an/bn−c∣<c/2\abs{a_n/b_n - c} < c/2 for all n≥Nn \ge N.
  2. So c/2<an/bn<3c/2c/2 < a_n / b_n < 3c/2 for n≥Nn \ge N. Since bn>0b_n > 0, this gives an<3c2bna_n < \tfrac{3c}{2} b_n and bn<2canb_n < \tfrac{2}{c} a_n for n≥Nn \ge N.
  3. Both series have nonnegative terms. By the criterion for nonnegative series, each converges if and only if its partial sums are bounded above.
  4. Assume that ∑bn\sum b_n converges, and let BB be its sum. Since bn≥0b_n \ge 0, every finite sum of terms bnb_n is at most BB. This follows from the same criterion, as in the comparison test.
  5. For M≥NM \ge N, step 2 gives ∑n=0Man≤∑n=0N−1an+3c2∑n=NMbn≤∑n=0N−1an+3c2B.\sum_{n=0}^{M} a_n \le \sum_{n=0}^{N-1} a_n + \frac{3c}{2} \sum_{n=N}^{M} b_n \le \sum_{n=0}^{N-1} a_n + \frac{3c}{2} B.
  6. The right side of step 5 does not depend on MM. For M<NM < N, the partial sum is at most ∑n=0N−1an\sum_{n=0}^{N-1} a_n. So the partial sums of ∑an\sum a_n are bounded above, and ∑an\sum a_n converges by step 3.
  7. Conversely, assume that ∑an\sum a_n converges, with sum AA. In the same way, for M≥NM \ge N, ∑n=0Mbn≤∑n=0N−1bn+2cA.\sum_{n=0}^{M} b_n \le \sum_{n=0}^{N-1} b_n + \frac{2}{c} A.
  8. So the partial sums of ∑bn\sum b_n are bounded above, and ∑bn\sum b_n converges by step 3.

Idea

When an/bna_n / b_n tends to a positive number cc, the two sequences are eventually within constant factors of each other. Constant factors and finitely many initial terms cannot change whether partial sums stay bounded.

Reading path

To understand this page from the ground up, read these 58 pages in order. The foundations come first. The path takes the proofs Proof of the approximation property of the supremum, Proof that the reals form an ordered field, with the Cauchy sequence construction, Proof of the triangle inequality for real numbers, Proof of the epsilon-N definition of the limit of a sequence, Proof of the comparison test, Proof that convergent sequences are bounded, Proof of the monotone convergence theorem for sequences, Proof that a series of nonnegative terms converges iff its partial sums are bounded.

  1. Construction of the reals from Cauchy sequences concept
  2. Element definition
  3. Integers object
  4. Mathematical induction concept
  5. Ordered field definition
  6. Proposition concept
  7. Rational numbers object
  8. Real numbers object
  9. Sequence definition
  10. Set bounded above definition
  11. Set definition
  12. Ring of integers statement
  13. Implication definition
  14. Predicate definition
  15. The reals form a field statement
  16. Real sequence definition
  17. Supremum definition
  18. Ordered pair definition
  19. Universal quantifier definition
  20. The rationals form a field statement
  21. Bounded sequence definition
  22. Limit of a sequence definition
  23. Monotone sequence definition
  24. Series definition
  25. Completeness axiom statement
  26. Cartesian product definition
  27. Subset definition
  28. The rationals form an ordered field statement
  29. Convergent sequence definition
  30. Partial sum definition
  31. Binary relation definition
  32. Order on the reals definition
  33. Convergent series definition
  34. Antisymmetric relation definition
  35. Reflexive relation definition
  36. Transitive relation definition
  37. Sum of a series definition
  38. Preorder definition
  39. Partial order definition
  40. Total order definition
  41. Proof that the reals form an ordered field, with the Cauchy sequence construction proof
  42. The reals form an ordered field statement
  43. Absolute value definition
  44. Proof of the approximation property of the supremum proof
  45. Proof of the triangle inequality for real numbers proof
  46. Proof of the epsilon-N definition of the limit of a sequence proof
  47. Approximation property of the supremum statement
  48. Triangle inequality statement
  49. Epsilon-N definition of the limit of a sequence statement
  50. Proof that convergent sequences are bounded proof
  51. Proof of the monotone convergence theorem for sequences proof
  52. Convergent sequences are bounded statement
  53. Monotone convergence theorem for sequences statement
  54. Proof that a series of nonnegative terms converges iff its partial sums are bounded proof
  55. A series of nonnegative terms converges iff its partial sums are bounded statement
  56. Proof of the comparison test proof
  57. Comparison test statement
  58. Proof of the limit comparison test proof

Where this leads

2 pages build on this one.

Further reading

  1. Web https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limit_comparison_test, Proof
About this page
Tag4776JMPX1R
URIm2://4776JMPX1R
Kindproof
WritingW0 stub
MSC40A05
ProvesLimit comparison test
UsesLimit of a sequence, Comparison test, A series of nonnegative terms converges iff its partial sums are bounded, Partial sum
Changed4 November 2026

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