# Another Proof that harmonic series diverges.

Prove $$\sum\frac{1}{n}$$ diverges by comparing with $$\sum a_n$$ where $a_n$ is the sequence $$(\frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{4}, \frac{1}{4}, \frac{1}{8}, \frac{1}{8}, \frac{1}{8}, \frac{1}{8},\frac{1}{16}, \frac{1}{16}, \frac{1}{16}, \frac{1}{16}, \frac{1}{16}, \frac{1}{16}, \frac{1}{16},\frac{1}{16}, \frac{1}{32}, \frac{1}{32}, ....)$$

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Where are you stuck? –  Graphth Oct 17 '12 at 21:18
Well, It is obvious that $a_n < 1/n$. But how can I make this rigorous? –  ILoveMath Oct 17 '12 at 21:20
I think this is the most frequently seen proof. (But others exist, and some of them are----or at least one of them is----just as simple and elementary.) –  Michael Hardy Oct 17 '12 at 21:33
In a related thread you can find several proofs, including this one. –  Martin Sleziak Oct 18 '12 at 10:14

1. Find the general form of $a_n$.
2. Prove that $$\dfrac1n > a_n$$
3. Find $$\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{n=2^m-1} a_n$$
4. From ($2$), we have $$\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{n=2^m-1} \dfrac1n > \displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{n=2^m-1} a_n$$
5. Conclude that $$\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{n=\infty} \dfrac1n$$ diverges by letting $m \to \infty$ in ($4$).
Can you give me a hint on how to find the general form on $a_n$ ? –  ILoveMath Oct 18 '12 at 3:12