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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Proof on positive sequence with $\limsup_{n} a_n^{1/n}=1$ and $\liminf_{n}a_n^{1/n} <1$

Does a positive sequence $\{a_n\}$ with $\limsup_{n} a_n^{1/n}=1$ and $\liminf_{n}a_n^{1/n} <1$ must have a subsequence $\{a_{n_i}\}$ satisfying $\lim_{i} a_{n_i}^{1/n_i}=1$ and $\lim_{i} |a_{n_i}^2-a_{n_i-1}a_{n_i+1}|^{1/n_i}=1$. So Here are the…
Y.Lin
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Does $\sum_{n=1}^\infty (\frac{1}{n}-1)^{n^2}$ converge?

I am trying to decide if $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \left(\frac{1}{n}-1\right)^{n^2}$$ converges. By the alternating series test, as far as I can see, the series converges. This is also true by the root test. In both cases I assume that…
Eivind
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Does there exist a series with property $n\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} u_{nk}=1$?

Shortly, the idea is to find such series which admits "lazy" calculation: instead of computing all the terms, it would be enough to calculate its even terms (the case with $n=2$), and then multiply result by $2$; or calculate third of its terms…
Oleg567
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Doubt on grouping of terms in a series

We know that if a series is convergent, then we can perform grouping on the series and the resulting series would still be convergent. However,for an arbitrary series, grouping may not always give the same result. E.g. $a_n=(-1)^{n+1}$ is the…
jimm
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Summation of logarithmic functions

The sum of series $\frac{(\log3)^1}{1!}+\frac{(\log3)^3}{3!}+\frac{(\log 3)^5}{5!}+\cdots$ is what? Is there a general algorithm to find the summation of logarithms?
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Examples of when a quotient of sums is equal to the sum of quotients?

I have been looking into zeta sums and whatnot lately and realised the following equality. $$\frac{\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{n}}{(2n+1)^{3}}}{\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{n}}{2n+1}} =…
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How to solve this summation without taylor?

The summation in question is $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{n(n+1)(n+2)}{n! + (n+1)! + (n+2)!}$$ The sum can be simplified further into $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{n(n+1)^2}{(n+2)!}$$ With Taylor expansion allowed, I don't think it's hard to derive it…
chanp
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Calculate infinite summation of sin(x)/x

How do you calculate the infinite sum $\sum_{i=1}^{\infty} \frac{\sin(i)}{i}$? According to Wolfram Alpha, the value of the sum is $\frac{\pi - 1}{2}$, but it does not tell me the method by which it gets this result.
Alex
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Evaluate $\sum\limits_{n=1}^{2016}\frac{1}{n!+(n+1)!+(n+2)!}$

Evaluate the following sum: $$\dfrac{1}{1!+2!+3!}+\dfrac{1}{2!+3!+4!}+\dots + \dfrac{1}{2016!+2017!+2018!}$$ I was trying to rewrite the general term as: $$\frac{1}{n!+(n+1)!+(n+2)!}=\frac{1}{n!(n+2)^2}$$ However, this did not give any essential…
RFZ
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Generalizing a sequence.

Consider a sequence of the form: $x[n]=-1,-1...,1,1,...,-1,-1...,1,1... \quad n>0$ One can think of this as a square wave ($\pm1$) with a 50 % duty cycle (coming from EE). For the simplest case of such a series i.e. $-1,+1,-1,+1,-1...$, a general…
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Integer sequences containing the floor / ceiling function

There was this question on one sequence where the expression for the general term contains the floor function. I can clearly see that the floor function is needed for an expression which doesn't burn ones eyes out, but I have no idea how one goes…
Arthur
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How to derive the formula for $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\tan^{-1}(\frac{x^{2}}{n^{2}})$

How to derive the formula …
user464147
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Prove or disprove convergence for the series: $\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}\left((1+\frac{1}{n})^n-e\right)^{\sqrt{\log(n)}}$

Because $(1+(1/n))^n$ converges to $e$, I was thinking of comparing the sum to the series $p^{\sqrt{\log(n)}}$, but this series apparently diverges according to wolfram so I'm at a loss. Can someone give me a clue as to where to go from here?
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Convergence of $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{a_n}{n}$ with $\lim(a_n)=0$.

Is it true that if $(a_n)_{n=1}^\infty$ is any sequence of positive real numbers such that $$\lim_{n\to\infty}(a_n)=0$$ then, $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{a_n}{n}$$ converges? If yes, how to prove it?
Spenser
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