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 sequence defined by rationals and fractional parts

Let $a_0$ be a positive rational number. And for natural numbers $n$, define a sequence as $a_n=a_{n-1}/(1-\{a_{n-1}\})$ where $\{x\} = x-[x]$ , the fractional part of $x$. Then I have to show that the limit of this sequence exists and find the…
Keith
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Doubt in finding general term of the given sequence

The following image has both the problem and its solution. I have a doubt in the solution, the details of which I have included below the image. (Assume the terms in given series are generated from a polynomial) Here, the author has assumed $T_n$…
user695008
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Doubt in finding the general term and sum of $n$ terms of the series $1+5+19+49+101+181+295+\dots+T_n$?

The following image has both the problem and its solution. I have a doubt in the solution, the details of which I have included below the image. Here, the author has assumed $T_n$ as an arbitrary cubic equation (Step indicated by the RED box). My…
Vishnu
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What is the optimal way to wash a dirty vessel with a fixed amount of water and time?

This question came up for me as I was trying to wash out some milk from my toddler's cup with a bottle of water that I had in my car. I do this every day -- drive him to school while he drinks milk, and then wash out his sippy cup as much as…
Akdinv
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$a+b+c=-3\sqrt{ac}$

If $a,b,c$ be in Geometic Progression, and $b-c,c-a,a-b$ in Harmonic Progression then prove that $a+b+c=-3\sqrt{ac}$. My attempt:…
aarbee
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Determining a sequence's $n$-th term from its first and second differences, when latter is in arithmetic or geometric progression

For the series, $3, 7, 14, 24, 37, \ldots$, the $1$st successive differences are $4,7,10,13,\ldots$, and the $2$nd successive differences are $3,3,3,\ldots$. So, the book says, the $nth$ term $T_n$ of the given series will be $an^2+bn+c$. And for…
aarbee
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How many different sums can you get when you "add up all the integers"?

Suppose you want to "add up all the integers" naively, by devising some way of arranging the integers in sequence and finding the limit of the partial sums of that sequence, possibly grouping up and pre-summing groups of integers. You could…
jacobm
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Showing $f(x) = \frac{x^2}{\sin(x)}$ is analytic near $0$

Problem Show the function $$ f(x) = \frac{x^2}{\sin(x)} $$ is an analytic about $x=0$. Try We have $$ f(x) = \frac{x^2}{x - x^3/3! + x^5/5! - \cdots } $$ Letting $f(x) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n $, we have $$ a_0 = 0, a_1 = 1, a_2 = 0, a_3 =…
Moreblue
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Is $1/5+1/7+1/11+1/13+1/17+1/19+\cdots$ convergent?

I am struggling to calculate $$\dfrac 15+\dfrac 17+\dfrac 1{11}+\dfrac 1{13}+\dfrac 1{17}+\dfrac 1{19}+\cdots$$ The denominator is 6k - 1 and 6k + 1, k is pos integer from 1 to infinity. Can somebody give me any hint if it is convergent, and if…
Tilsight
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An easy way to solve this limit of a sum?

$$\lim _{n\to\infty}\sum_{k=0}^n\frac{k+1}{10^k}$$ What I've tried is to create a function out of it in order to derivate it, but I am getting nowhere. I would like to know if there is an easier way to it (I would like a high school level method for…
Jon9
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proof that $\frac{a_{4n}-a_2}{a_{2n+1}}$ : integer

I would appreciate if somebody could help me with the following problem: Q: How to proof? If $\{a_n\}$ satisfy $a_{1}=a$, $a_2=b$, $a_{n+2}=a_{n+1}+a_{n}$($a,b$: positive integers) then proof that $\frac{a_{4n}-a_2}{a_{2n+1}}$ : integer I try …
Young
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Find $ \frac{1}{2^2 –1} + \frac{1}{4^2 –1} + \frac{1}{6^2 –1} + \ldots + \frac{1}{20^2 –1} $

Find the following sum $$ \frac{1}{2^2 –1} + \frac{1}{4^2 –1} + \frac{1}{6^2 –1} + \ldots + \frac{1}{20^2 –1} $$ I am not able to find any short trick for it. Is there any short trick or do we have to simplify and add it?
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Why compare $s_n:=\sum_{k=1}^n\frac{1}{k}$ to $\int_{1}^{n+1}\frac{1}{x}dx$, instead of $\int_1^{n}\frac1{x}dx$, when proving divergence of $s_n$?

I've seen an example in which the limit of the sequence $s_n = \sum_{k=1}^n \frac{1}{k}$ is proved to be divergent because: $$s_n \geq \int_{1}^{n+1}\frac{1}{x} dx$$ and $\log(n+1)=+\infty$ as $n\to +\infty$. I'm confused about the following: Why…
Red Banana
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Determine the convergence/divergence of $\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(\sqrt{n+2}-2\sqrt{n+1}+\sqrt{n}\right)$ by comparison test

It's simple to evaluate the sum as follows \begin{align*} \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(\sqrt{n+2}-2\sqrt{n+1}+\sqrt{n}\right)&=\lim_{n \to \infty}\sum_{k=1}^{n}\left[\left(\sqrt{k+2}-\sqrt{k+1}\right)-\left(\sqrt{k+1}-\sqrt{k}\right)\right]\\ &=\lim_{n…
mengdie1982
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If $\sum a_n$ converges , then $a_n<1/n$ a.e?

If $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_n<\infty$ is a Positive convergent series, does the following limit hold? $$\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\mathrm{Card}\{1\leq k\leq n , a_k\geq\frac{1}{k}\}}{n}=0$$ I know of a non-trival example to support this: $$a_n=1/n…