Let Σak be an infinite series of real numbers and let π be a permutation of N, the set of positive integers. The series Σaπ(k) is then called a rearrangement of Σak. A classical theorem of Riemann states that if Σak is a conditionally convergent series and s is any fixed real number (or ± ∞), then there is a permuation π such that Σaπ(k) = s. The problem of determining those permutations that convert any conditionally convergent series into a convergent rearrangement (such permuations are called convergence preserving) has received wide attention (see, for example [6]). Of special interest is a paper by P. A. B. Pleasants [5] in which is shown that the set of convergence preserving permutations do not form a group.

In this paper we consider questions similar to those above, but for rearrangements of divergent series of positive terms. We establish some notation before stating the precise problem.