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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if such $(2n+4)x_{n+2}=b(2n+3)x_{n+1}+2a(n+1)x_{n}$ show $x_{n}\in Z$

let $a,b$ be integer,and such $a\equiv 0,b\equiv 0\pmod 4$,and sequece $x_{n}$,such $x_{0}=1,x_{1}=\dfrac{b}{2}$and such $$(2n+4)x_{n+2}=b(2n+3)x_{n+1}+2\cdot a\cdot(n+1)x_{n}$$ show that $$x_{n}\in Z$$ I'm not sure I was wrong: I try let…
math110
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Prove that a convergent real sequence always has a smallest or a largest term

My attempt: Suppose not, i.e., suppose there exists a convergent sequence $(a_n)$ that does not have a smallest or largest term. $\implies (a_n)$ is bounded sequence. $\implies A=\{a_n:n\in\mathbb{Z}^+\}$ is a bounded subset of…
spkakkar
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Finding the geometric progression based on the given details

The sum of infinite number of terms of a GP is 4, and the sum of their cubes is 192. Find the series. The following image is solution from my book. My doubt is why is $r=-2$ rejected? Is there any reason. If so please tell me.
user695008
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Are there visual proofs for the sums of reciprocals of square and triangular numbers?

This is a visual proof for the sum of the reciprocals of powers of 2 - Are there a similar proofs for reciprocals of square and triangular numbers? I couldn't find any. I don't know if I used the right terms; maybe it's: infinite series sum. So…
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Let $\{a_n\}$ be a sequence of positive real numbers such that $\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n$ is divergent. Which of the following series are convergent?

Let $\{a_n\}$ be a sequence of positive real numbers such that $\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n$ is divergent. Which of the following series are convergent? a.$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{a_n}{1+a_n}$ b.$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{a_n}{1+n…
user464147
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Finding floor of reciprocal sum

Evaluation of $$\bigg \lfloor \frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{1}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{2^2}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{3^2}}+\cdots +\frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{(1000)^2}}\bigg\rfloor$$ Where $\lfloor x\rfloor $ is the floor of $x$ Try: It seems like we can solve it using…
DXT
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If the sequence$\{na_n\}$ converges and $\sum_{n=1}^\infty n(a_n-a_{n-1})$ converges, prove $\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n$ converges.

I've been having issues with general proofs of convergence such as this one, which I'm currently trying to work on. I find them really hard to begin. For example, for the one in the title I have $\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^\infty n(a_n-a_{n-1}) =…
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Find general formula for the terms

Find a general formula for the terms of the sequence $${a_n}=\left\{ \frac{11}{7},\frac{107}{49},\frac{659}{343},\frac{4883}{2401},\frac{33371}{16807},\frac{234569}{117649},\dots \right\}$$ I don't know how to approach this question as it is not…
RaV1oLLi
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Show $\sum_{a_1=1}^n\sum_{a_2=1}^{a_1}\sum_{a_3=1}^{a_2}...\sum_{a_m=1}^{a_{m-1}}a_m=\frac 1 {(m+1)!}\prod_{k=0}^m(n+k)$.

When playing around Wolfram Alpha, I find something interesting: $\displaystyle \sum_{a_1=1}^n a_1=\frac 1 2 n(n+1)$ $\displaystyle \sum_{a_1=1}^n\sum_{a_2=1}^{a_1} a_2=\frac 1 6 n(n+1)(n+2)$ $\displaystyle…
JSCB
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How do I evaluate this limit

$$ \displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty} \dfrac{1}{n} \displaystyle \sum ^n _{k=1} \dfrac{k^2}{n^2}$$ How do I evaluate this? I have never actually learned how to work with infinite series like this one, so I have no idea.
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The largest term in the sequence $x_n=\frac {1000^n}{n!}$ for $n=1,2,3,.......$

I faced the following problem which says: The largest term in the sequence $x_n=\frac {1000^n}{n!}$ for $n=1,2,3,.......$ is which of the following ? $1.$ is $x_{999}$ $2.$ is $x_{1001}$ $3.$ is $x_{1}$ $4.$ does not exist. My…
user52976
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This sum $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{{2n\choose n}^2}{2^{5n}}g(n)$ and the golden ratio

We got this strange sum?: $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{{2n\choose n}^2}{2^{5n}}\left[8\cdot\frac{(n-\alpha-1)^{1/5}}{(2n-1)^2}-\frac{(n-\alpha)^{1/5}}{(n+1)^2}\right]=\frac{4}{\phi}\left(\phi^2+\sqrt{-\phi\sqrt{5}}\right)(\alpha+1)^{1/5}\tag1$$ Where…
user550260
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Formula for the sequence formed by the digits of the natural numbers

Consider the following sequence: $$1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 1, 6, 1, 7, 1, 8, 1, 9, 2, 0, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, \ldots$$ which is formed by extracting the digits of the natural numbers. Is there any formula for…
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Infinite series with $2$ positive and $2$ negative terms

Finding value of $$1+\frac{1}{5}-\frac{1}{7}-\frac{1}{11}+\frac{1}{13}+\frac{1}{17}-\frac{1}{19}-\frac{1}{23}+\cdots$$ Try: I have solved in using Integration But i am trying to solver it without using integration Witting above series as…
DXT
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How to show that $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{H_n}{n}\cos\left(\frac{n\pi}{3}\right)=-\frac{\pi^2}{36}$

I learnt on www.pi314.net that $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{H_n}{n}\cos\left(\frac{n\pi}{3}\right)=-\frac{\pi^2}{36}$$ This result is hard to verify using Wolfram Alpha since the series converges very slowly. I do not know how to prove this result. I…
Larry
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