I was reading up on the harmonic series,
H=∞∑n=11n, on Wikipedia, and it's divergent, as can be shown by a comparison test using the fact that
H=1+12+(13+14)+(15+16+17+18)+...≥1+12+(14+14)+(18+18+18+18)+...=1+12+12+12+..., where the expression on the right clearly diverges.
But after this proof idea was given, the proof idea using the integral test was given. I understand why Hn=∑nk=11k≥∫n1dxx, but how is it shown that ∫∞1dxx is divergent without using the harmonic series in the following way:
Hn−1≤∫n1dxx≤Hn, and then using this in the following way, by comparison test:
lim.
So to summarize, is there a way to prove that \int_1^\infty \frac{dx}{x} without using the fact that H diverges?
Answer
Let x = y/2. Then
\int_1^\infty\frac{dx}{x} = \int_2^\infty\frac{dy}{y}.
That is a contradiction unless both integrals equal \infty.
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