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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Limit of series with infinite product

In our Calc 1 class this is one of the proposed series: $\displaystyle\sum_{n\geqslant 1}\frac1{n}\prod_{k=1}^n \left(1-\frac{\pi}{k}\right)$. We have only been taught basic criteria, so no integration, just comparison test, quotient test, etc...…
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Is it possible to have some number sequences that have no formula to solve them?

I'm by no means advanced at mathematics, but I'm trying to figure out a formula to get the nth value of the following sequence: $1,4,10,20,35,56,84$. I'm using 'difference' tables to try and come up with a formula and I'm currently at the $n$-th…
Ant
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$1-\frac{1}{5\cdot 3^2}-\frac{1}{7\cdot 3^3}+\frac{1}{11\cdot 3^5}+\frac{1}{13\cdot 3^6}--++\cdots.$

I want to evaluate the series $$1-\frac{1}{5\cdot 3^2}-\frac{1}{7\cdot 3^3}+\frac{1}{11\cdot 3^5}+\frac{1}{13\cdot 3^6}--++\cdots.$$ I can rewrite this as $$1+\sum_{n\geq 1} (-3)^{-3n}\left(\frac{3}{6n-1}+\frac{1}{6n+1}\right)$$ The answer should be…
Nugi
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Convergence of a Series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(\frac{n}{n+1}\right)^{n^2}$- Which Test?

I tried root and ratio tests but it didn't work. Also, i can't use integral tests (and other "uncommon" ones) in this homework. (Prove that the series is convergent) $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(\frac{n}{n+1}\right)^{n^2} = \frac{1}{2} +…
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Does $\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}k(p^{\frac{(k-1)k}{2}}-p^{\frac{(k+1)k}{2}})$ converge?

Does the sum: $$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}k(p^{\frac{(k-1)k}{2}}-p^{\frac{(k+1)k}{2}})$$ $$ p\in\mathbb{R}|0{\leq}p<1$$ converse, and if so, to what function?
SIMEL
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How prove $a_{n}>0$ with Komal 661 problem

Let $K$ be a fixed positive integer,Let $(a_{0},a_{1},\cdots )$ be the sequence of real numbers that satisfies $a_{0}=-1$ and $$\sum_{i_{0},i_{1},\cdots,i_{K}\ge 0,i_{0}+i_{1}+\cdots+i_{K}=n}\dfrac{a_{i_{1}}a_{i_{2}}\cdots…
math110
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Confused on what a series means.

I have been reading the book Relativity: The special & General Theory where in chapter XV, the author develops the expression of kinetic energy $$ \frac{1}{2} mv^2 $$ or $$ \text{ }m\frac{v^2}{2} $$ in the form of a series, $$ mc^2+\text{…
anon
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Is this a correct way to show that $\sum_{n \geq 0} \frac{n^3}{n!}=5e$

Is this a correct way to show that $\sum_{n \geq 0} \frac{n^3}{n!}=5e$ ? $$S_3 = \sum_{n \geq 0} \frac{n^3}{n!}=\sum_{n \geq 1} \frac{n^2}{(n-1)!} \implies$$ $$S'_3=S_3-e=\sum_{n \geq 1} \frac{n^2-1^2}{(n-1)!}=\sum_{n \geq 2} \frac{n+1}{(n-2)!}…
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Partial sums of $\sin(x)$

Is it true that $$ \left|\sum_{k=1}^n \sin(k) \right|\leq M $$ for every $n$? I tried comparing this to the integral $\int_2^\infty \sin(x)dx$ but it is not monotone. This is part of a problem that says if $A_n=a_1+a_2+\cdots+a_n$ and $|A_n|\leq…
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What is $\sum^{\infty}_{n=1}\frac1{n(n+x)}$ equal to?

I was wondering how we could calculate the sum $S(x)=\sum^{\infty}_{n=1}\frac1{n(n+x)}$ for any real $x$. I've noted the following properties regarding the sum (which may or may not be useful to actually finding $S(x)$): We have the identity…
Kyan Cheung
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How to express the following as a series?

How you you express $$1+3+6+10+15+21+28+...$$ as a summation? I've tried different ways but they were wrong and always brought me back to square one. Thanks!
Ovi
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Check computation of: $\sum\limits_{i=1}^{n}\sum\limits_{j=1}^{n}ij$

Compute the below sum: $\sum_{i=1}^{n}\sum_{j=1}^{n}ij$ My working: $\sum_{i=1}^{n}\sum_{j=1}^{n}ij = \sum_{i=1}^{n}i\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$ Now since $\frac{n(n+2)}{2}$ is just a constant we can take it out of the sum $\sum_{i=1}^{n}i\frac{n(n+1)}{2} =…
Dreamer78692
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Problem with Summation of series

Question: What is the value of $$\frac{1}{3^2+1}+\frac{1}{4^2+2}+\frac{1}{5^2+3} ...$$ up to infinite terms? Answer: $\frac{13}{36}$ My Approach: I first find out the general term…
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Question about decreasing sequence.

Problem: Imagine an infinite chessboard that contains a positive integer in each square. If the value of each square is equal to the average of its four neighbors to the north, south, west, and east, prove that the values in all the squares are…
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Summation of nonnegative numbers over countably infinite set

Suppose that $T_1,T_2\subset \mathbb{N}$ and $a_i\geq 0$. I need to prove that $$\sum \limits_{i\in T_1\cap T_2}a_i+\sum \limits_{i\in T_1\cup T_2}a_i=\sum \limits_{i\in T_1}a_i+\sum \limits_{i\in T_2}a_i.$$ I do not know how to prove this fact at…
RFZ
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