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.

65378 questions
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Can a real sequence have every natural number as its limit point?

Does there exist a real sequence such that every $n\in\mathbb N$ is its limit point? I can not get anywhere with this.
user943766
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Closed form $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}H_{n+2}^2\sum_{k=0}^{n}(-1)^k{ n \choose k}\frac{1}{k+j}$?

I am looking for the closed form of: $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}H_{n+2}^2\sum_{k=0}^{n}(-1)^k{ n \choose k}\frac{1}{k+j}=F(j);\quad j\ge2$$ Where $H_n$ is Harmonic numbers and $\zeta(s)$ is Reimann zeta function I have managed to figure out the first…
Sibawayh
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Approximate value of Series

Consider the series $$ \sum_{k=2}^\infty \frac{\ln(k)}{k^p}, $$ which is easily seen to converge if $p>1$. Numerical computations seems to reveal that, if $n\in\mathbb N$ $$ \left\lceil\sum_{k=2}^\infty…
frog
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$\sum\frac{a_n}{S_{n-1}}$ converges if and only if $\sum\frac{a_n}{S_n}$ converges.

Suppose $a_n>0$ and $$S_0=1,S_n=\sum_{k=1}^{n}a_k.$$ We have the result $\sum a_n$ converges iff $\sum\frac{a_n}{S_n}$ conveges. And also we can show that $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_n\ \mbox{converges}\iff \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{a_n}{S_{n-1}}\…
Riemann
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Evaluating $\frac{13}{1.2 .3 .2}+\frac{26}{2.3 .4 .4}+\frac{43}{3.4 .5 .8}+\frac{64}{4.5 .6 .16}+\cdots$

$$\frac{13}{1.2 .3 .2}+\frac{26}{2.3 .4 .4}+\frac{43}{3.4 .5 .8}+\frac{64}{4.5 .6 .16}+\cdots$$ I can reduce it to the general term, $$\sum_{r=1}^\infty \frac{2r^2 + 7r +4}{r(r+1)(r+2)2^r}$$ I don't know how to go about this any further though. I…
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What is the logic behind the balls colours in MarkSix lottery?

I am not familiar with this kind of problem and I am trying to find what could be the general term or pattern used for the color assignment in the Mark Six lottery (This is the matrix of colors). There are three sequences: Red balls: [1, 2, 7, 8,…
JHH
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Need help to prove

I got the result below during my research. $$1=\frac{1}{1+a_1}+\frac{a_1}{(1+a_1)(1+a_2)}+\frac{a_1a_2}{(1+a_1)(1+a_2)(1+a_3)}+\frac{a_1a_2a_3}{(1+a_1)(1+a_2)(1+a_3)(1+a_4)}+... \tag 1$$ $$1=\frac{1}{1+a_1}+\sum\limits_{k=1}^…
Mathlover
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Proving that every term of the sequence is an integer

Let $m,n$ be nonnegative integers. The sequence $\{a_{m,n}\}$ satisfies the following three conditions. For any $m$, $a_{m,0}=a_{m,1}=1$ For any $n$, $a_{0,n}=1$ For any $m\ge0, n\ge1$,…
mathlove
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find the condition on A for the summation to be convergent

The summation is: $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{ \sqrt { n + 1 } - \sqrt n }{n^A}$$ I don't know how to even begin. Hints??
Parth Thakkar
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Is there a way to find the sum of an infinite series (not geometric)

I want to calculate $$\sum_{k=0}^\infty\binom{k+3}k(0.2)^k$$ to get the exact value of it. I have excel and other tools to help me so it is fine if it is computationally expensive. Is there a clear and repeatable way to solve this infinite series?…
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if $a_{n+1}=xa_{n}+ya_{n-1}$ find the $a,b,x,y$ such $(a_{m},a_{n})=a_{(m,n)}$

it is well known: if $F_{1}=1,F_{2}=1$,and $F_{n+1}=F_{n}+F_{n-1}$.use $$F_{m+n}=F_{m}F_{n+1}+F_{m-1}F_{n}$$ I can prove $(F_{m},F_{n})=F_{(m,n)}$ also I have solve this following problem $a_{1}=a_{2}=1$,and $p,q$ be postive integer,and such…
math110
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Show the convergence of $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{2}\cdot \frac{(2n)!}{n!(n+1)!}\cdot \left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^n$

As stated by the prompt, I'm looking to show the convergence of the series $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{2}\cdot \frac{(2n)!}{n!(n+1)!}\cdot \left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^n$$ I've tried using the ratio, root, and Limit Comparison test (w/ a geometric…
Shaun
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Sum of the series $\sum_1^\infty \frac{1}{2n(2n+1)}$

Could someone help me with the following sum? $$\sum_1^\infty \frac{1}{2n(2n+1)}$$ I begin as $$\sum \frac{1}{2n}-\frac{1}{2n+1}=\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{4}+...$$ Now, $$1-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}-\frac{1}{4}+...= \ln 2$$ So,…
PGupta
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recursive sequence proofs

I'm kinda new to recursive sequences and I'm struggling with an excercise. I apologize in advance for the long question and my lack of knowledge on how to approach such problems. Let $x_n$ be defined such that $x_1 = 1$, $x_{n+1} =…
23408924
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Iterated function applied on $n/ \log_2 n$

Given a function $f(n) = n/\log_2 n$ I have to iteratively apply the function towards its arguments. I want get the min iteration times that let the result $\le$ 2 that is $$f^{(i)}(n) \le 2, \min (i) = ?$$
Jiajun
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