Calculating the limit of a sequence

Question

I'm currently studying limits because of my calculus class and i've wondered how for example wolfram alpha computes the limit of a sequence. Is it more a brute force way, or is there an efficient method to calculate/find them?

I would guess, since most of the sequences we give are monotonic it would search for a greatest lower bound or least upper bound(if at all the sequence is convergent). — Dinesh, Nov 09 '11 at 22:23

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 09 '11 at 23:03

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Different sequences require different methods. I'm sure alpha has a suite of methods available and it analyzes the sequence to see which (if any) of its methods applies. Not all that different from the way humans do it.

answered Nov 09 '11 at 23:03

Gerry Myerson

179,216

3

Additionally, the most expedient route for a machine may not be the easiest route for a human, and vice-versa. – J. M. ain't a mathematician Nov 10 '11 at 00:20

Calculating the limit of a sequence

1 Answers1