How do you know if a series is convergent or divergent?
Ratio test.
If r < 1, then the series is absolutely convergent. If r > 1, then the series diverges. If r = 1, the ratio test is inconclusive, and the series may converge or diverge.
How do you know if a series converges?
Strategy to test series
If a series is a p-series, with terms 1np, we know it converges if p>1 and diverges otherwise. If a series is a geometric series, with terms arn, we know it converges if |r|<1 and diverges otherwise. In addition, if it converges and the series starts with n=0 we know its value is a1−r.