I was just wondering if the geometric series test for series of the form ∑∞n=arn needs the index to start at 0 or 1? From my understanding of the proof using partial sums, calculating the convergent value as a1−r requires the series to start at 0. I ask because I've been seeing a lot of post and even my assignment solutions neglecting whether it starts at 1 or 0. If my assignment assumes I do not know how to change indices when it starts at n=1, and this happens to not be negligible, how do I go around using the geometric series test and calculating the convergent value?
Answer
Recall that for the geometric series
Sn=n∑j=0arj=arn+1−ar−1⟹|r|<1S∞=a1−r
then if we start from n=1
Sn=n∑j=1arj=arn+1−ar−1−a⟹|r|<1S∞=a1−r−a
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