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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Example of an infinite sequence of irrational numbers converging to a rational number?

Are there any nice examples of infinite sequences of irrational numbers converging to rational numbers? One idea I had was the sequence: $ 0.1001000010000001\cdots,0.1101000110000001\cdots,\cdots,0.1111000110000001\cdots,$ etc. Where the first term…
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what is the current state of the art in methods of summing "exotic" series?

What is the current state of the art in summing (where by 'summing', I mean 'representing in terms of already known constants and whatnot') series such as these: $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{1+7^{n}}}$$ $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}…
graveolensa
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Find the sum of the series $\sum \frac{1}{n(n+1)(n+2)}$

I got this question in my maths paper Test the condition for convergence of $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n(n+1)(n+2)}$$ and find the sum if it exists. I managed to show that the series converges but I was unable to find the sum. Any help/hint…
GTX OC
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Prove that $(1 - \frac{1}{n})^{-n}$ converges to $e$

This is a homework question and I am not really sure where to go with it. I have a lot of trouble with sequences and series, can I get a tip or push in the right direction?
Matt Nashra
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Prove sequence $a_n=n^{1/n}$ is convergent

How to prove that the sequence $a_n=n^{1/n}$ is convergent using definition of convergence?
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Is the $\sum\sin(n)/n$ convergent or divergent?

Possible Duplicate: Proving that the sequence $F_{n}(x)=\sum\limits_{k=1}^{n} \frac{\sin{kx}}{k}$ is boundedly convergent on $\mathbb{R}$ So, in my calculus class (one I'm teaching, not taking), the sum $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{\sin(n)}{n}$ has…
Ben Webster
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Infinite series $n^7/(\exp(2\pi n)-1)$

I found an interesting topic on this site with regards to the series I am trying to evaluate: Summing $\frac{1}{e^{2\pi}-1} + \frac{2}{e^{4\pi}-1} + \frac{3}{e^{6\pi}-1} + \cdots \text{ad inf}$ I was wondering if there is a closed form for even m…
Cody
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$a_{n+1}=|a_n|-a_{n-1} \implies a_n \; \text{is periodic}$

Prove that any sequence of real numbers satisfying $a_{n+1}=|a_n|-a_{n-1}$ is periodic. Although it looks simple, I can't prove this statement... I tried rewriting the first few terms of the sequence, but nothing interesting showed up... I'd be…
Gabriel Romon
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1025th term of the sequence $ 1,2,2,4,4,4,4,8,8,8,8,8,8,8,8, ... $

Consider the following sequence - $$ 1,2,2,4,4,4,4,8,8,8,8,8,8,8,8, ... $$ In this sequence, what will be the $ 1025^{th}\, term $ So, when we write down the sequence and then write the value of $ n $ (Here, $n$ stands for the number of the below…
Kaushik
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Show that $\sum^\infty_{k=0} \frac{2(-1)^k}{(2k+1)\pi\cosh[(2k+1)\pi/2]}=1/4$

Title says it all. Well, maybe some backstory. Flipping through my past notebooks, I found this: $$ \vdots $$ $$= \sum^\infty_{k=0} \frac{2(-1)^k}{(2k+1)\pi\cosh[(2k+1)\pi/2]}\\=\frac14\quad(?)$$ [end of page] Ah, yes. My engineering numerical…
f1garo
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Let $a_{n+1}=\sqrt{a_1+a_2+\cdots+a_n}$ .Prove that $ \lim\limits_{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{a_n}{n}=\frac{1}{2}$

A sequence $a_n$ is defined as $a_1=1$ and $a_{n+1}=\sqrt{a_1+a_2+\cdots+a_n}$ .Prove that $ \lim\limits_{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{a_n}{n}=\frac{1}{2}$ I have no idea how to approach this. But I have a feeling that Cesaro's lemma may come in…
user321656
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Positive series problem: $\sum\limits_{n\geq1}a_n=+\infty$ implies $\sum_{n\geq1}\frac{a_n}{1+a_n}=+\infty$

Let $\sum\limits_{n\geq1}a_n$ be a positive series, and $\sum\limits_{n\geq1}a_n=+\infty$, prove that: $$\sum_{n\geq1}\frac{a_n}{1+a_n}=+\infty.$$
Riemann
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Infinite series for $ \sqrt 2 $

What is infinite series for $ \sqrt 2 $? I don't mean continued fraction. That kind of series such as like for $e, \pi, $etc.
user132079
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3 answers

If $A\subseteq\mathbb N$ and $\sum\limits_{a\in A}\frac1a$ converges then $A$ has natural density $0$

In this answer to a question about a series, a theorem was stated: If $A= \{a_i \}$ is a set such that $\sum_{i = 1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{a_i}$ converges, then $d(A) = 0$, where $d(A)$ is the natural density of the set. My background in number theory…
Andy
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prove $\sum\limits_{n\geq 1} (-1)^{n+1}\frac{H_{\lfloor n/2\rfloor}}{n^3} = \zeta^2(2)/2-\frac{7}{4}\zeta(3)\log(2)$

Prove the following $$\sum\limits_{n\geq 1}(-1)^{n+1}\frac{H_{\lfloor n/2\rfloor}}{n^3} = \frac{1}{2}\zeta(2)^2-\frac{7}{4}\zeta(3)\log(2)$$ I was able to prove the formula above and interested in what approach you would take .
Zaid Alyafeai
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