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I know that a series in the form

$$\sum_{n=1}^\infty\frac1{n^p} \tag 1$$

converges if $p>1$. But suppose I had a series in this form:

$$\sum_{n=1}^\infty\frac1{n^{p(n)}} \tag 2$$

where $p(n)$ is a function which is strictly greater than $1$ for each $n$ (but whose infimum might be $1$). Does the series still converge? Can I apply $(1)$ in this situation? An example of series of this kind may be

$$\sum_{n=1}^\infty\frac1{n^{2-\sin n}} \tag 3$$

How do you prove the convergence of $(3)$?

Elvis
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1 Answers1

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The answer simply depends on $p(n)$. For example, we know that the "logarithmic $p$-series"

$$\sum_{n \ge 2} \frac{1}{n (\ln n)^p}$$

also converges iff $p > 1$ (by the integral test, or Cauchy condensation). This gives that if

$$p(n) = \log_n \left( n (\ln n)^p \right) = 1 + \frac{p \ln \ln n}{\ln n}$$

(with an arbitrary modification for $n = 1$) then $\sum \frac{1}{n^{p(n)}}$ converges iff $p > 1$.

Qiaochu Yuan
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