818

submitted 5 months ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/science_memes@mander.xyz

239 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] sp3tr4l@lemmy.zip 1 points 5 months ago

https://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Math/Paquin/GeomSeriesCalcB.pdf

Here's a standard introduction to the concept of the Convergence/Divergence Theorem of Geometric Series, starts on page 2.

Its quite common for this to be referred to as the convergence test or rule or theorem by teachers and TA's.

[-] Tomorrow_Farewell@hexbear.net 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Now, ask yourself this question, 'is 0.999..., or any real number for that matter, a series?'. The answer to that question is 'no'.

You seem to be extremely confused, and think that the terms 'series' and 'the sum of a series' mean the same thing. They do not. 0.999... is the sum of the series 9/10+9/100+9/1000+..., and not a series itself.

EDIT: Also, the author does abuse the notations somewhat when she says '1+1/2+1/4 = 2' is a geometric series, as the geometric series 1+1/2+1/4+... does not equal 2, because a series is either just a formal sum, a sequence of its terms, or, in German math traditions, a sequence of its partial sums. It is the sum of the series 1+1/2+1/4+... that is equal to 2. The confusion is made worse by the fact that sums of series and the series themselves are often denoted in the same way. However, again, those are different things.
Would you mind providing a snippet with the definition of the term 'series' that she provides?

EDIT 2: Notably, that document has no theorem that is called 'convergence theorem' or 'the convergence theorem'. The only theorem that is present there is the one on convergence and divergence of geometric series.