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Mathematical Analysis

Section 3.1 Infinite Series Basics

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
―Aristotle

Definition 3.1.

A series is a sequence \((\sum_{k=1}^na_k)_{n=1}^{\infty}\) for some sequence \((a_k)_{k=1}^{\infty}\subseteq \mathbb{C}\text{.}\) We'll typically write the series as \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}a_k\text{.}\) We say \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}a_k\) converges/diverges when \((\sum_{k=1}^na_k)_{n=1}^{\infty}\) converges/diverges. When it converges we write \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}a_k=\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\sum_{k=1}^na_k\in\mathbb{C}\text{.}\)
Cauchy's condition (RHS of iff) is equivalent to saying \((\sum_{k=1}^n a_k)_{n=1}^{\infty}\) is Cauchy.