Two Plus Two Newer Archives  

Go Back   Two Plus Two Newer Archives > Other Topics > Science, Math, and Philosophy
FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old 08-07-2007, 01:33 AM
stanek stanek is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 73
Default Convergent or Divergent ?

Please forgive my ignorance here. Assume we have a series

S(n)=1/1^2 - 1/2^2 - 1/3^2 + 1/4^2 - 1/5^2 + 1/6^2 - 1/7^2 + 1/8^2 + 1/9^2 + 1/10^2 ... +/- 1/n^2

where we subtract 1/n^2 if the number is prime and add 1/n^2 if it is not prime.

Can this even be considered a series when it contains an 'If' condition? Is there another way to phrase this so that it works the same way?

If yes, is this a convergent or divergent series? On one hand it seems divergent because as the series grows, the ratio of non prime numbers to prime numbers grows, thus making its value increase. But for some reason I have it in my head that for something to be divergent it means that as

n-> oo(infinity) then S(n)->oo

which doesn't seem to be the case here because there are an infinite number of primes to subtract from the series.

I'm thinking that this isn't really a series but I'm not positive, thats why I am asking.
Reply With Quote
 


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.