Questions tagged [sequences-and-series]

For questions concerning sequences and series. Typical questions concern, but are not limited to: identifying sequences, identifying terms, recurrence relations, $\epsilon-N$ proofs of convergence, convergence tests, finding closed forms for sums. For questions on finite sums, use the (summation) tag instead.

Sequences and series are often considered as a main part of part of calculus, in addition to limits, continuity, differentiation and integration.

A sequence is an enumerated collection of objects in which repetitions are allowed. There are special types of sequences, such as arithmetic sequences (or arithmetic progressions), where the next term is a constant more than the previous; harmonic progressions, which is formed by taking the reciprocal of each term of an arithmetic progression; logarithmic progression, which is formed from a series whose progression getting smaller; and geometric progressions, where the next term is a constant multiplied by the previous term.

A sequence can be given by a direct formula (e.g. $a_n = 2^n + 3$), or by a recurrence relation. In a recurrence relation, the relation between the next term and the earlier terms is given. An example is the recurrence relation $F_{n+2}=F_{n+1}+F_n, n \geq 0.$ Together with the initial terms $F_0=0$ and $F_1=1$, this recurrence relation defines the famous Fibonacci sequence.

A series is formed by summing a sequence. A typical question is: When the number of summed terms goes to infinity, does the sum approach a finite limit? In other words, is it convergent? Several tests, such as the ratio test, the root test, the limit comparison test, the integral test, etc. can help to answer these questions.

Important note. Questions about guessing the next number in a sequence, with no explicit mathematical context, will usually be quickly closed. Consider posting these questions at Puzzling Stack Exchange instead.

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Evaluate: $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n k^n}$

How to evaluate this series for $k > 1$? $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n k^n}$$ For $k = 2$, I tried to evaluate $\displaystyle \sum_{n = 0}^\infty \int_{1}^{2} x^{-(n+1)}dx = \int_{1}^{2} \sum_{n = 0}^\infty x^{-(n+1)}dx =…
S L
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Simplifying product of differences

How do we simplify this? Confused. $$\left(1-\frac{1}{3}\right)\left(1-\frac{1}{4}\right)\left(1-\frac{1}{5}\right)\cdots\left(1-\frac{1}{n}\right)$$
user67253
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Finding the sum $\sum\limits_{n=1,n\neq m^2}^{1000}\left[\frac{1}{\{\sqrt{n}\}}\right]$,

Find the value $\displaystyle\sum_{n=2,n\neq m^2}^{1000}\left[\dfrac{1}{\{\sqrt{n}\}}\right]$, by $\{x\}=x-[x]$, $[x]$was bracket function,for example:$[5.4]=5, [2.9]=2,[-1.1]=-2 $and so on.
math110
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Concerning this sum $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{4n+1}\left[\frac{1}{4^n}{2n \choose n}\right]^2=\frac{\Gamma^4\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)}{16\pi^2}$

I was looking at this paper and saw this nice sum in section [12] of the paper, $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{4n+1}\left[\frac{1}{4^n}{2n \choose n}\right]^2=\frac{\Gamma^4\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)}{16\pi^2}\tag1$$ out of curiosity I conjectured…
Endgame
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Given this operation $\phi$ on natural number sequences, show $\phi^3=\phi$.

Given a sequence of natural numbers $f:\mathbb{N}\to\mathbb{N}$ define a new sequence $\phi f$ as follows: $$ \phi f(n):=|\{ k\in\mathbb{N} \mid k \leq n,f(k)=f(n)\}|$$ In other words $\phi f(n)$ counts up how often $f(n)=f(k)$ for $k\leq n$. Also,…
user519413
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General term of a sequence.

So i have the following sequence: ${1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, ...}$ Where the number $i$ appears $i + 1$ times. I would like to know the $n$-th term of this sequence. I tried to analise certain patterns within the sequence, but…
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Interesting property of sum of powers of integers from 1 to 114.

When I have this list of specific X values: $X: 1, 2, 3, 4, \ldots, 112, 113, 114.$ $$\sum_{n=1}^{114}n = 6555$$ $$6555/19 = 345$$ The sum of these $X$ values divided by $19$ is an integer. Then I square each $X$ value: $X^2: 1, 4, 9, 16, \ldots,…
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convergence of weighted average

It is well known that for any sequence $\{x_n\}$ of real or complex numbers which converges to a limit $x$, the sequence of averages of the first $n$ terms is also convergent to $x$. That is, the sequence $\{a_n\}$ defined by $$a_n =…
Paul Orland
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Does the series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(\cos(n))}{n}$ converge?

I was doing some exercises and this one just stunned me. I had to study the convergence of this serie: $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(\cos(n))}{n}$$ I tried alot of diffrent things, but I got no where. Can anyone please help me with an idea or a…
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Sum of given infinite series: $\frac14+\frac2{4 \cdot 7}+\frac3{4 \cdot 7 \cdot 10}+\frac4{4 \cdot 7 \cdot 10 \cdot 13 }+....$

Find the sum of infinite series $$\frac{1}{4}+\frac{2}{4 \cdot 7}+\frac{3}{4 \cdot 7 \cdot 10}+\frac{4}{4 \cdot 7 \cdot 10 \cdot 13 }+....$$ Generally I do these questions by finding sum of $n$ terms and then putting $ \lim{n \to \infty}$ but here I…
user383014
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Can an alternating series ever be absolutely convergent?

Can an alternating series EVER be absolutely convergent? I am examining practice problems in my calculus book and I haven't yet come across a case where this is so. It might be because they are simple, but I'm genuinely curious.
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If $ A=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{1}}+\frac{1}{3\sqrt{2}}+\frac{1}{4\sqrt{3}}+.........+\frac{1}{100\sqrt{99}}\;,$ Then $\lfloor A \rfloor =$

If $\displaystyle A=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{1}}+\frac{1}{3\sqrt{2}}+\frac{1}{4\sqrt{3}}+.........+\frac{1}{100\sqrt{99}}\;,$ Then $\lfloor A \rfloor =$ Where $\lfloor x \rfloor$ represent floor function of $x$. $\bf{My\; Try:}$ For lower bound…
juantheron
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Sum of n terms of the series $\frac{1}{1 \cdot 3}+\frac{2}{1 \cdot 3 \cdot5}+\frac{3}{1 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot 7}+\cdots$

I need to find the sum of n terms of the series $$\frac{1}{1\cdot3}+\frac{2}{1\cdot 3\cdot 5}+\frac{3}{1\cdot 3\cdot 5\cdot 7}+\cdots$$ And I've no idea how to move on. It doesn't look like an arithmetic progression or a geometric progression. As…
user220382
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A trigonometric series

Let $\alpha$ be a real number. I'm asked to discuss the convergence of the series $$ \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{\sin{(kx)}}{k^\alpha} $$ where $x \in [0,2\pi]$. Well, I show you what I've done: if $\alpha \le 0$ the series cannot converge (its…
Romeo
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How long will this take to reach.. kimye?

I found the 1bc29b36f623ba8 twitter account on 4chan last night, it's a user who is posting md5 hashes every 10 minutes in a sequential order, starting at ! and I assume with no end in sight. The twitter account has a specific twitter post…
8eecf0d2
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