convergence of complex term series


A series

∑ν=1∞cν=c1+c2+c3+… (1)

with complex terms

cν=aν+ibν  (aν,bν∈ℝ∀ν)

is convergent iff the sequence of its partial sums converges to a complex numberMathworldPlanetmathPlanetmath.

Theorem 1.  The series (1) converges iff the series

∑ν=1∞aν and ∑ν=1∞bν (2)

formed by real parts and the imaginary parts of its terms both are convergent.

Proof.  Let  ε>0.  Denote

∑ν=1naν:=sn,∑ν=1nbν:=tn,∑ν=1ncν:=un.

If the series (2) are convergent with sums S and T, then there is a number N such that

|sn-S|<ε2,|tn-T|<ε2 when n≧N.

Accordingly,

|un-(S+i⁢T)|=(sn-S)2+(tn-T)2≦|sn-S|+|tn-T|<ε when n≧N,

i.e. the series (1) converges to S+i⁢T.  If, conversely, (1) converges to a complex number

u=s+it (s,t∈ℝ),

then

|sn-s|≦|(sn-s)+i⁢(tn-t)|=|un-u|,|tn-t|≦|(sn-s)+i⁢(tn-t)|=|un-u|,

and consequently,  limn→∞⁡sn=s  and  limn→∞⁡tn=t, i.e. the series (2) are convergent with sums the real numbers s and t.

Theorem 2.  The series (1) converges absolutely iff the series (2) both converge absolutely.

Proof.  The absolute convergence of (1) means that the series

∑ν=1∞|cν|

converges.  But since  |cν|2=|aν|2+|bν|2,  we have

|aν|≦|cν|;|bν|≦|cν|≦|aν|+|cν|.

From these inequalities we can infer the assertion of the theorem 2.

References

  • 1 R. Nevanlinna & V. Paatero: Funktioteoria.  Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. Helsinki (1963).
Title convergence of complex term series
Canonical name ConvergenceOfComplexTermSeries
Date of creation 2014-10-31 19:04:59
Last modified on 2014-10-31 19:04:59
Owner pahio (2872)
Last modified by pahio (2872)
Numerical id 8
Author pahio (2872)
Entry type Theorem
Classification msc 30A99
Classification msc 40A05
Related topic OrderOfFactorsInInfiniteProduct