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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Sum the series $\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n}\{(2n + 1)^{7}\cosh((2n + 1)\pi\sqrt{3}/2)\}^{-1}$

In one of his letters to G. H. Hardy, Ramanujan gave the following sum $$\dfrac{1}{1^{7}\cosh\left(\dfrac{\pi\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)} - \dfrac{1}{3^{7}\cosh\left(\dfrac{3\pi\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)} + \dfrac{1}{5^{7}\cosh\left(\dfrac{5\pi\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)}…
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Nontrivial subsequences of the harmonic series that diverge on the order of $\log(\log(\log(n)))$.

It is common knowledge that $$\sum_{\text{Integer}}^\infty \frac{1}{n} \sim \log(n),$$ and that $$\sum_{\text{Prime}}^\infty \frac{1}{p} \sim \log(\log(n)).$$ I am looking for another subseries of the harmonic series that diverges with some number…
Brad
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Show that the sequence $a_{n+1}=a_{n}+\dfrac{a^2_{n}}{n^2}$ is upper bounded

Let $\{a_{n}\}$ be defined with $a_{1}\in(0,1)$, and $$a_{n+1}=a_{n}+\dfrac{a^2_{n}}{n^2}$$ for all $n\gt 0$. Show that the sequence is upper bounded. My idea: since…
math110
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What does $\sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{k}{2^k}$ converge to?

This problem comes from another equation on another question (this one). I tried to split it in half but I found out that $$\sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{k}{2^k}$$ can't be divided. Knowing that $$\sum_{k=0}^\infty x^k=\frac{1}{1-x}$$ I wrote…
PunkZebra
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Infinite Series $\sum 1/(n(n+1))$

I am confused on the following series: $$\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n(n+1)} = 1$$ My calculator reveals that the answer found when evaluating this series is 1. However, I am not sure how it arrives at this conclusion. I understand that…
acampb311
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Another Ramanujan's formula dealing with $\coth^{2}(5\pi)$

Ramanujan mentions in one of his letters to Hardy that $$\frac{1^{5}}{e^{2\pi} - 1}\cdot\frac{1}{2500 + 1^{4}} + \frac{2^{5}}{e^{4\pi} - 1}\cdot\frac{1}{2500 + 2^{4}} + \cdots = \frac{123826979}{6306456} - \frac{25\pi}{4}\coth^{2}(5\pi)$$ If we put…
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Alternating Harmonic Series Spin-off

We know that the series $\sum (-1)^n/n$ converges, and clearly every other alternating harmonic series with the sign changing every two or more terms such…
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Sum of series $\sum \limits_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sin^3 3^k}{3^k}$

Calculate the following sum: $$\sum \limits_{k=1}^{\infty}\dfrac{\sin^3 3^k}{3^k}$$ Unfortunately I have no idea how to handle with this problem. Could anyone show it solution?
RFZ
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Can you use the sum formula for a geometric series starting at any point?

Wherever I see the sum of a infinite geometric series with $|r|<1$ being derived the series always starts at $n = 0$, or $n = 1$, the basic form is $$a + ar + ar^2 + ar^3 + ... $$ And the sum is $\frac{a}{1-r}$ Does that still apply for a geometric…
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Baffled by resolving number list

My son's Maths homework was to do with number patterns/sequences. "What is the nth term?". He'd done very well, but the last sequence was something like this: 19,77,265,715,1607,3169 He was adamant that he didn't have a technique for solving it and…
Lefty
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Generalisation of the identity $\sum\limits_{k=1}^n {k^3} = \bigg(\sum\limits_{k=1}^n k\bigg)^2$

Are there any generalisations of the identity $\sum\limits_{k=1}^n {k^3} = \bigg(\sum\limits_{k=1}^n k\bigg)^2$ ? For example can $\sum {k^m} = \left(\sum k\right)^n$ be valid for anything other than $m=3 , n=2$ ? If not, is there a deeper reason…
jimjim
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How to calculate: $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} n a^n$

I've tried to calculate this sum: $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} n a^n$$ The point of this is to try to work out the "mean" term in an exponentially decaying average. I've done the following: $$\text{let }x = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} n a^n$$ $$x = a + a…
Clinton
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Upper limit of summation index lower than lower limit?

How does one evaluate something like the following? $$\sum_{k=0}^{-1}\left( 5\times 2^k \right)$$ When I type this into Mathematica it returns 0. Can someone explain why this is?
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Summation of infinite series with hyperbolic sine

The following is a conjecture. I would like to prove that $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{1}{(2n+1)\operatorname{sinh}((2n+1)\pi)}=\frac{\log(2)}{8}.$$ Both sides agree to at least $100$ digits, so I suspect the identity is true. I have thought about…
Potato
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Sequence that is neither increasing, nor decreasing, yet converges to 1

Give an example of a sequence which is neither increasing after a while, nor decreasing after a while, yet which converges to 1. My solution: $1.01,\ .99,\ 1.001,\ .999,\ 1.0001,\ .9999,\ \text{etc}\dots$ Does that satisfy all the conditions? Also,…
Remy
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