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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Testing Convergence of $\sum \sqrt{\ln{n}\cdot e^{-\sqrt{n}}}$

What test should i apply for testing the convergence/divergence of $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \sqrt{\ln{n}\cdot e^{-\sqrt{n}}}$$ Help with hints will be appreciated. Thanks
user53627
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Erdös's sequence

I've read that the sequence $\left(e_n\right)_{n \in \mathbb{N}}$ $$ e_0=1\text{ and } \ e_n=e_{\left\lfloor \,n/2 \right\rfloor}+e_{\left\lfloor \,n/3 \right\rfloor}+e_{\left\lfloor \,n/6 \right\rfloor} $$ satisfies the beautiful…
Atmos
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The general term of the sequence : 1, 1, -1, -1, 1, 1, ...?

Suppose we have the following sequence: {$a_n$} such as: $a_0 = 1, \\ a_1 = 1, \\ a_2 = -1, \\ a_3 = -1, \\ a_4 = 1, \\ a_5 = 1, \\ ... $ How can we find the general term of this sequence? I tried using a trigonometric function e.g. $\alpha…
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Sum of the infinite series

The series is $$\frac{5}{1\cdot2}\cdot\frac{1}{3}+\frac{7}{2\cdot3}\cdot\frac{1}{3^2}+\frac{9}{3\cdot4}\cdot\frac{1}{3^3}+\frac{11}{4\cdot5}\cdot\frac{1}{3^4}+\cdots$$ This is my attempt: $$T_n=\frac{2n+3}{n(n+1)}\cdot\frac{1}{3^n}$$ Assuming…
crayon
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Interesting sums yield rational value

Let $$A_k=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}{n^3\over e^{kn\pi}-1}$$ How can we show that $$A_1+11A_2-32A_4={1\over 12}?$$ I haven't got any idea where to begin...
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$\left(\sum_{j=0}^\infty\frac{z^j}{j!}\right)\left(\sum_{k=0}^\infty\frac{w^k}{k!}\right)=\sum_{n=0}^\infty\sum_{j=0}^n\frac{z^jw^{n-j}}{j!(n-j)!}$

I've been going through some series notes from my lecture and got stuck at this equality: $$\left(\sum_{j=0}^\infty\frac{z^j}{j!}\right)\left(\sum_{k=0}^\infty\frac{w^k}{k!}\right)=\sum_{n=0}^\infty\sum_{j=0}^n\frac{z^jw^{n-j}}{j!(n-j)!}$$ Where…
Dahn
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Sum of special series: $1/(1\cdot2) + 1/(2\cdot3 )+ 1/(3\cdot4)+\cdots$

The question is: Find the sum of the series $$ 1/(1\cdot 2) + 1/(2\cdot3)+ 1/(3\cdot4)+\cdots$$ I tried to solve the answer and got the $n$-th term as $1/n(n+1)$. Then I tried to calculate $\sum 1/(n^2+n)$. Can you help me?
chndn
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Find the sum of the series $ \ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2+l^2} \ $

Find the sum of the series $ \ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2+l^2} \ $ , where $ \ l=constant \ $ Answer The given series is convergent clearly . $ \ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2+l^2} \\ =…
MAS
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Sine series simplification to get rid of the factorial

I am trying to rewrite sine series in a way to get rid of the factorial. $$\begin{array}{c c c c c} sin(x) & x & -\ {x^3 \over 3!} & +\ {x^5 \over 5!} & -\ {x^7 \over 7!}\\ & T_0 & T_1 & T_2 & T_3\\ \hline \end{array}$$ If we number the terms…
dwelle
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Convergence or divergence of $\sum_{n \in \mathbb{N}^{*}} \left(\sum_{k=1}^n k^{\frac{1}{k}}\right)^{-1}$

Let be $u_n = \dfrac{1}{\sum\limits_{k=1}^n k^{\frac{1}{k}}}$, I am trying to show that $\sum\limits_{n \geq 1} u_n$ is divergent. First, I tried to naive ideas, comparing it to a usual Riemann series, applying Alembert / Cauchy rules and doing…
Raito
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Evaluating $\frac{-1}{\frac{-1}{\frac{-1}{\dots}}}$

I was attempting to evaluate the following infinite fraction: $$\frac{-1}{\frac{-1}{\frac{-1}{\dots}}}$$ So I let $x=\frac{-1}{\frac{-1}{\frac{-1}{\dots}}}$, thus $x=\frac{-1}{x}$ and we arrive at $x^2=-1$, so $x=\pm i$. Is this correct?
frog1944
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Infinite series and logarithm

Is it true that: $$\log_e 2 = \frac12 + \frac {1}{1\cdot2\cdot3} + \frac {1}{3\cdot4\cdot5}+ \frac{1}{5\cdot6\cdot7}+ \ldots$$ It was one of my homeworks . Thanks!
Souvik Dey
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Convergence of $\sum\limits_{n=2}^\infty \frac{1\cdot 3\cdot \cdot \cdot (2n-3)}{2^n n!}$

Convergence of $$\sum_{n=2}^\infty \frac{1\cdot 3\cdot \cdot \cdot (2n-3)}{2^n n!}$$ Well, I have tried almost everything. D'Alembert's criterion doesn't work because the limit is 1. I have tried to bound $\frac{1\cdot 3\cdot \cdot \cdot…
davidaap
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Is this series convergent or divergent?

Kindly asking, what can I do about series $$ \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)^2+\left(\frac{1\times 4}{3\times 6}\right)^2+\left(\frac{1\times 4\times 7}{3\times 6\times 9}\right)^2+...+\left(\frac{1\times 4\times 7\times...\times (3n-2)}{3\times 6\times…
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Comparing sums with squares

I need to show that: $$ {\sum\limits_{i=1}^n {|x|} } \leq \sqrt{n\sum\limits_{i=1}^n |x|^2 } $$ I tried to square both sides so I would get: $$ \left({\sum\limits_{i=1}^n {|x|} }\right)^2 = \left(\sum_{i=1}^{N}|x_i|^2+2*\sum_{i,j,i…
user844541
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