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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What is the range of $y=\sqrt{1}x+\sqrt{2}x^2+\sqrt{3}x^3+...$?

This is an infinite series, defined for $-1
Dan
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Limit of a sequence in $\mathbb{R}^3$ given by $x_{n+1}=\sqrt{x_n(y_n+z_n-x_n)}$, etc.

Someone else asked me this, so unfortunately I do not know its context. Put $(x_0,y_0,z_0)=(1,2,\sqrt{7})$. Recursively define \begin{align} x_{n+1}&=\sqrt{x_n(y_n+z_n-x_n)}\,, \\ y_{n+1}&=\sqrt{y_n(z_n+x_n-y_n)}\,,…
Ningxin
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Easiest example of rearrangement of infinite leading to different sums

I am reading the section on the rearrangement of infinite series in Ok, E. A. (2007). Real Analysis with Economic Applications. Princeton University Press. As an example, the author shows that is a rearrangement of the sequence \begin{align}…
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$(\frac1a+\frac12\frac{x}{a+2}+\frac{1\cdot3}{2\cdot4}\frac{x^2}{a+4}+...)(1+\frac12x+\frac{1\cdot3}{2\cdot4}x^2+...)=\frac1a(1+\frac{a+1}{a+2}x+...)$

For $a>0$, prove $$\left(\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{2}\cdot\frac{x}{a+2}+\frac{1\cdot 3}{2\cdot 4}\cdot \frac{x^2}{a+4}+\cdots\right) \cdot \left( 1+\frac{1}{2}\cdot x+\frac{1\cdot 3}{2\cdot 4}\cdot x^2 +\cdots \right) = \frac{1}{a}…
athos
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I tried to prove $\sum_{n=0}^∞ \frac{n^2}{2^n} = 6$ but I feel that my proof is long. Can anyone provide an alternate proof?

Some parts of the text might not be clear so please ask about them in the comments. Sorry for the uploaded image as it was taking a long time for me to write the whole proof.
Sumit
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Does the series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}|x|^\sqrt n$ converge pointwise? If it then what would be the sum?

Does the series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}|x|^\sqrt n$ converge pointwise?
ROBINSON
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Is list of prime numbers a sequence

Let $f:\mathbb{N}\to\mathbb{R}$ such that $f(n)=p$ (where $p$ is the $n$th prime number). My doubt is whether this is a function and hence a sequence. I got this doubt because we don't know all the primes, right? So after a certain stage, we don't…
Shash
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A formula for any finite sequence of number

In Advanced Problems in Mathematics by Stephen Siklos, pg24, he writes "Given any finite sequence of numbers, a formula can always be found which will fit all given numbers and which makes the next number (e.g.) 42." Is there a source or…
jamie
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What digits appear in 2,3,6,1,8,6,8,4,8,4,8...?

The sequence begins: $2,3,6,1,8,6,8,4,8,4,8....$ (See OEIS A093095.) $2*3=6; 3*6=1,8; 6*1=6; 1*8=8; 8*6=4,8;$ and so on. Will there ever be a $5$? Will the sequence ever repeat? I tried doing this by hand, and so far the only numbers I have are…
Quaxton Hale
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$\sin n>0$, $a_n=1/n \, ,\sin n<0$, $a_n=-1/n \, , \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n$ converge?

Define sequence $a_n$ as: If $\sin n>0$, $a_n=1/n$, and if $\sin n<0$, $a_n=-1/n$. Does the series $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n$ converge?
math123
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Find the value of $\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{2^{n}}{x^{2^n}+1}$

Find the value of $$\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{2^{n}}{x^{2^n}+1}$$ I recently came across a question in which we had to find the value of the above question. The question seemed simple at first glance but the term $2^n$ in the numerator is…
AK2021
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Find a limit of $\ln(u_n)/2^n$

Let $u_0 \in \mathbb{N}^{*}$ and $(u_n)$ such that $u_{n+1}=1+u_n^2$. I've shown that the sequence $\displaystyle \left(\frac{\ln\left(u_n\right)}{2^n}\right)$ converges and I wonder if it possible to find its limit $\ell$ For example, if $u_0=1$…
Atmos
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$(x^{2022}+1)(1+x^2+x^4+...+x^{2020})=2022\cdot x^{2021}$

Let $S$ denote the set of all real values of $x$ for which $(x^{2022}+1)(1+x^2+x^4+...+x^{2020})=2022\cdot x^{2021}$, then the number of elements in $S$ is $0/1/2/$infinite? My attempt: $$(x^{2022}+1)(\frac{(x^2)^{1011}-1}{x^2-1})=2022\cdot…
aarbee
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Study the convergence of $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\Bigl( \sqrt[n]{1+\frac{1}{n}}-1\Bigr)$

I need to study the convergence of $$ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\biggl( \sqrt[n]{1+\frac{1}{n}}-1\biggr). $$ Any help appreciated!! Thanks!
user63534
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Sum of square of binomial coeffcient with positive and negative terms

Finding $\displaystyle \binom{2n}{1}^2-2\binom{2n}{2}^2+3\binom{2n}{3}^2-\cdots \cdots -2n\binom{2n}{2n}^2.$ What I've tried: $$(1-x)^{2n}=\binom{2n}{0}-\binom{2n}{1}x+\binom{2n}{2}x^2+\cdots \cdots…
jacky
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