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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Calculate sum of series $\sum \frac{n^2}{n!}$

I have to calculate sum of series $\sum \frac{n^2}{n!}$. I know that $\sum \frac{1}{n!}=e$ but I dont know how can I use that fact here..
lksz43
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Sum $\frac{1}{6} + \frac{5}{6\cdot 12} + \frac{5\cdot 8}{6\cdot 12\cdot 18} + \frac{5\cdot 8\cdot 11}{6\cdot 12\cdot 18\cdot 24}+\ldots$

A series is given as follows $$\frac{1}{6} + \frac{5}{6\cdot 12} + \frac{5\cdot 8}{6\cdot 12\cdot 18} + \frac{5\cdot 8\cdot 11}{6\cdot 12\cdot 18\cdot 24}+\ldots$$ Can you give me hints to get started finding its value? Thanks.
Sophie Clad
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Show that $\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}n \big[1-\frac{(n+1)^{n}}{en^{n}}\big]=\frac{1}{2}$

This is exercise from Guidorizzi's book Cálculo (In Portuguese). Show that $\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}n \big[1-\frac{(n+1)^{n}}{en^{n}}\big]=\frac{1}{2}.$ All I managed to do is rewrite the equation as $n \big[1-\frac{(1+\frac{1}{n})^{n}}{e}\big]$.…
user23505
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Closed form formula for $2^{2^1}+2^{2^2}+...+2^{2^n}$

So, the series's sum is of below form: $2^{2^1}+2^{2^2}+...+2^{2^n}$ This series is an intermediate work of an bigger problem {So I am concerned with whether $2^{2^n}-\frac{\sum_{i=1}^n(2^{2^i})}{2}$ is anywhere close to $2^{2^{n-1}}$}. With limited…
modeller
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Sum of reciprocals of squares of the form $3n+1$?

What is $\sum\limits_{n=0}^\infty \frac1{(3n+1)^2}$?
Herman
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Series with increasing factor inside the summation

I have a simple question. While doing geometric series: $$\sum_{i=1}^\infty ar^i = \frac{a}{1-r}.$$ But what if I have something like $\sum_{i=1}^\infty iar^{i-1}$? I think its geometric series, please correct me if I am wrong!
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ratio of partial sums

I have two strictly increasing integer sequences $a_n$ and $b_n$ such that $\lim_{k\to\infty} \frac{\sum_{n=0}^k a_n}{\sum_{n=0}^k b_n}$ exists. What can I say about $\lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{a_n}{b_n}$? Specifically I'd like for these two limits…
Chris
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Value of $\sum\sin\frac{1}{2^i}$

My friend asks me a question what value is the infinite series $$\sum\sin\frac{1}{2^i}$$ It is obviously a convergence series, however I have no idea to compute the value. So is there a value of it? Thank you.
gaoxinge
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Sequences and limits

Let (an) be a sequence with an>0 for all natural numbers n. Assume that lim(an)=0. Show that the set of all numbers an has a maximum. That is, show that there is some number p, such that an <=ap. My idea: after a certain point all elements will…
1---011
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Is there a sequence of strings where there is always an element between any two other elements?

Can I define a way of sorting strings such that for any two strings X and Z, I can find another one Y such that X < Y < Z ? This is clearly not the case for alphanumeric sorting: there is no string between "4a" and "4a0". But it's not obvious to me…
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Is there a closed form for $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^n}?$

This is obviously the sort of problem that fascinates a kid, as it did me when I was younger. I became reminded of it when looking for creative ways to bound the sum below from Series involving factorial: $\displaystyle…
ShakesBeer
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Computing summation

I'm trying to evaluate the series: $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{3^{2^n}-3^{-2^n}}$$ I have tried to put it into partial fractions but it doesn't seem to telescope. Does anyone have any ideas? According to Wolfram, the answer is $\frac{1}{8}$.
1-___-
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Explain the steps for finding the upper bound of a sequence

For example we have the two sequences $A(n) = \dfrac{3n^2+n+2}{n^2-n+1}$ and $ B(n) = 1+(-1/2) + (-1/2)^2 + (-1/2)^3 +\cdots+ (-1/2)^{n-1}$ I can't figure out the steps to work out the upper bound of these two sequences. I've searched so much…
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How to find this double summation?

To find the value of $$\sum_{m=1}^{∞}{\sum_{n=1}^{∞}{\frac{m^2\cdot n}{3^m \cdot (n\cdot 3^m+m\cdot3^n)} } }$$ I dont know how to proceed to these kind of problems. Can anybody provide a sol to this problem which may give me an insight to solve…
Dinesh
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How to prove the series converge for every $\theta$?

How to prove the following series converge for every $\theta$, any suggestions are welcome? $$ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^n\sin(n\theta)}{n}.$$
Wu Yufeng
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