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Date May 2008 Marks available 6 Reference code 08M.3ca.hl.TZ1.1
Level HL only Paper Paper 3 Calculus Time zone TZ1
Command term Determine Question number 1 Adapted from N/A

Question

Determine whether the series \(\sum\limits_{n = 1}^\infty  {\frac{{{n^{10}}}}{{{{10}^n}}}} \) is convergent or divergent.

Markscheme

Consider

\(\frac{{{u_{n + 1}}}}{{{u_n}}} = \frac{{{{(n + 1)}^{10}}}}{{{{10}^{n + 1}}}} \times \frac{{{{10}^n}}}{{{n^{10}}}}\)     M1A1

\( = \frac{1}{{10}}{\left( {1 + \frac{1}{n}} \right)^{10}}\)     A1

\( \to \frac{1}{{10}}{\text{ as }}n \to \infty \)     A1

\(\frac{1}{{10}} < 1\)     R1

So by the Ratio Test the series is convergent.     R1

[6 marks]

Examiners report

Most candidates used the Ratio Test successfully to establish convergence. Candidates who attempted to use Cauchy’s (Root) Test were often less successful although this was a valid method.

Syllabus sections

Topic 9 - Option: Calculus » 9.2 » Convergence of infinite series.

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