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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1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21,...

How would you describe the set $\{1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21,\dots\}$ in the style of $x:P(x)=$? I know that the sequence is "the last number + 4" or $4n-3$.
user265554
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"Indexes the sequence" meaning in the definition of a subsequence

Let $(a_n)$ be a sequence of real numbers, and let $n_1
siqdim
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Series $\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1\cdot 3}{4\cdot 6}+\frac{1\cdot 3\cdot 5}{4\cdot 6\cdot 8}+\cdots$

Find the sum of the series to infinity$$\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1\cdot 3}{4\cdot 6}+\frac{1\cdot 3\cdot 5}{4\cdot 6\cdot 8}+\cdots$$ Attempt- I wrote the general term as $$\frac{\binom{2n}{n}}{2^{2n}\cdot (n+1)}$$ I don't know what to do next
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Absolutely convergent but not convergent

Here, Lemma $2.1$ states that A normed space $X$ is complete if and only if every absolutely convergent series is convergent. I would like to know a series which is absolutely convergent but not convergent. Can someone give such example? I…
Idonknow
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Finding how many terms of the harmonic series must be summed to exceed x?

The harmonic series is the sum 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/4 + 1/5 + 1/6 + ... + 1/n + ... It is known that this sum diverges, meaning (informally) that the sum is infinite and (more formally) that for any real number x, there there is some number n such t…
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Switching order of supremum for doubly indexed sequence?

Suppose you have a doubly indexed sequence of reals, $(\alpha_{ij})$. Why is $$ \sup_i \;\sup_j\ \alpha_{ij}=\sup_j\;\sup_i\ \alpha_{ij}? $$ I know one approach is to note $\alpha_{mn}\leq\sup_j\;\sup_i\alpha_{ij}$ for any $m$ and $n$. Why is this…
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What's the sum of this series?

I would like to know how to find out the sum of this series: $$1 - \frac{1}{2^2} + \frac{1}{3^2} - \frac{1}{4^2} + \frac{1}{5^2} - \frac{1}{6^2} + \cdots$$ The answer is that it converges to a sum between $\frac 34$ and $1$, but how should we go…
thbcm
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Test the convergence of a series

To test the convergence of a series: $$ \sum\left[\sqrt[3]{n^3+1}-n\right] $$ My attempt: Take out $n$ in common: $\displaystyle\sum\left[n\left(\sqrt[3]{1+\frac{1}{n^3}}-1\right)\right]$. So this should be divergent. But, the given answer says its…
square_one
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Potentially Useful Question

I have been solving problems using a "Potentially Helpful Formulas" sheet from my esteemed math professor. i want to solve for: $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \dfrac{1}{n^4} =$ ? On my formula sheet i have: $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \dfrac{1}{n^2} =…
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How to simplify this summation: $\sum\limits_{k=0}^\infty \frac1{4!} \cdot \frac{k^7}{2^k}$

I was wondering how to solve this infinite sum. $$\sum_{k=0}^\infty {1\over 4!} \cdot {k^7\over2^k}$$ I know roughly that for $$\sum_{k=0}^\infty {k \over 2^k}$$ the sum takes advantage of the derivative of $(1-x)^{-1}$ to get the result, but I'm…
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$u_{n+1}-u_n-u_n^2\to 0$ implies $u_n$ goes either to $0$ or to $+\infty$

Let $u_n$ be a real sequence such that $\displaystyle u_{n+1}-u_n-u_n^2\to_{\infty} 0$. Prove that either $u_n\to 0$ or $u_n \to +\infty$ Progress If $u_n$ is bounded, it has a convergent subsequence $u_{n_k}$ that goes to $\beta$. By…
Gabriel Romon
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Help to compute sum of products

I need to compute the following sum: $$(1\times2\times3)+(2\times3\times4)+(3\times4\times5)+ ...+(20\times21\times22)$$ All that I have deduced is: Each term is divisible by $6$. So sum is is divisible by $6$. Sum is divisible by $5$ as 1st term…
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Is there a formula for sums of consecutive powers, where the powers are non integer?

I mean like the formula for $\sum^n_{j=1}j$, or $\sum^n_{j=1}j^2$ extended to things like $\sum^n_{j=1}j^{1.5}$, etc.
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Find the common ratio of the geometric progression

Given: Geometric progression Sum = $S$ First Term = $a$ number of terms = $N + 1$ $$a + aq + aq^2 + ... + aq^N = S$$ So, we need to solve this equation: $$\sum_{i = 0}^N{q^i} = S/a$$ I need a formula to calculate common ratio $q$. I think this is…
Heghine
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Very difficult sum of series

Compute the following sum $$\sum_{n=1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n^3 \sin(n \pi \sqrt{2})}$$ Source : Very difficult sum of series Like jmerry on AoPS I have no idea how to compute the sum. Any ideas ? Perhaps someone knows already the result.. Thank you…
user142836