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EXAMPLE 1Showing an Alternating Series Converges

Show that the alternating harmonic series k=1(1)k+1k=112+1314+ converges.

Solution We check the two conditions of the Alternating Series Test. Since lim the first condition is met. Since a_{n+1}=\dfrac{1}{n+1}<\dfrac{1}{n}=a_{n}, the a_{n} are nonincreasing, so the second condition is met. By the Alternating Series Test, the series converges.