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Proof that every absolutely convergent series is unconditionally convergent


Suppose the series k=1ak converges to a A and that it is also absolutely convergent. So, as k=1|ak| converges, we have ϵ>0:

N>0:k=n+1|ak|<ϵ2,n>N

As the series converges to A, we may choose n such that:

|A-nk=1ak|<ϵ2

Now suppose that k=1bk is a rearrangement of k=1ak, that is, it exists a bijection σ:\mathbbN\mathbbN, such that bk=aσ(k)

Let J=max{j:σ(j)n}. Now take mJ. Then:

mk=1bk=b1++bm=aσ(1)++aσ(m)

This sum must include the terms a1,,an, otherwise J wouldn’t be maximum. Thus, for mJ, we have that mj=1bj-nk=1ak is a finite sum of terms ak, with kn+1. So:

|mj=1bj-nk=1ak|k=n+1|ak|<ϵ2

Finally, taking mJ, we have:

|A-mk=1bk||A-nk=1ak|+|mj=1bj-nk=1ak|<ϵ2+ϵ2=ϵ

So k=1bk=A

Title Proof that every absolutely convergent series is unconditionally convergent
Canonical name ProofThatEveryAbsolutelyConvergentSeriesIsUnconditionallyConvergent
Date of creation 2013-03-11 19:17:17
Last modified on 2013-03-11 19:17:17
Owner Filipe (28191)
Last modified by (0)
Numerical id 7
Author Filipe (0)
Entry type Proof
Classification msc 40A05
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