Lesson 5: 11.5 Alternating Series

- What is it that makes a series "alternating"?
- When will an alternating series converge?
- How can we estimate the sum of a convergent alternating series?

- alternating series
- alternating series estimation theorem

(determining whether an alternating series converges or diverges and estimating the sum when it converges)

- To determine whether an alternating series converges or diverges, and to estimate the sum when it converges.
- DOK Levels 1-4

- calculating total future value of annuities and investments
- calculating materials needed for construction
- radioactive decay and population growth

This is one of the simpler tests for convergence of a series. Students can, however, get tripped up with knowing what term to stop at when finding an estimate.

Homogeneous grouping and whole class discussion

section assessment

problems assigned from book