# Thread: An inverse question on Cauchy product of series

1. ## An inverse question on Cauchy product of series

Given two series $\sum\limits_{n = 0}^\infty a_n, \sum\limits_{n = 0}^\infty b_n$, and their Cauchy product $\sum\limits_{n = 0}^\infty c_n$ where $c_n=\sum\limits_{k = 0}^n a_kb_{n-k}$, if series $\sum c_n$ converges, dose series $\sum a_n$ or $\sum b_n$ converge too? Thanks!

2. No, you don't know that both $\sum a_n$ and $\sum b_n$ converge. Take $a_n=1$ and $b_n=0$.

3. Originally Posted by putnam120
No, you don't know that both $\sum a_n$ and $\sum b_n$ converge.
That does not answer the question :
Originally Posted by zzzhhh
does series $\sum a_n$ or $\sum b_n$ converge too?

4. then is it possible that both $\sum a_n$ and $\sum b_n$ diverge?

5. I don't think it is possible for both $\sum a_n,\sum b_n$ to diverge. This is clear if one of the sequences has only positive terms (or similarly only negative terms). For the case with mixed terms try violating a condition for the alternating test. I haven't worked out all the details but think that might work. I'll let you know I have figured out more.

6. From the wonderful book Counterexamples in analysis, an example of two (very!) divergent series whose Cauchy product is absolutely convergent. Define $a_0=-1$, $a_n=1$ for n≥1. Define $b_0=2$, $b_n=2^n$ for n≥1. Then it's easy to check that $c_0=-2$ but $c_n=0$ for n≥1.

7. what an ingenious construction, must by Cauchy himself :-)
Thank u Opalg, as well as the great book you mentioned. thank you all!
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