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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What is the next number in this sequence: $1, 2, 6, 24, 120$?

I was playing through No Man's Sky when I ran into a series of numbers and was asked what the next number would be. $$1, 2, 6, 24, 120$$ This is for a terminal assess code in the game no mans sky. The 3 choices they give are; 720, 620, 180
Atom
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Calculating the infinite sum of one over the odd numbers squared: $\sum_{i \ge 0} \frac{1}{(2i+1)^2}$

Can someone tell me how to calculate the following infinite sum? $$ (1/1^2)+(1/3^2)+(1/5^2)+(1/7^2)+(1/9^2)+(1/11^2)+ \cdots $$ Don't give me the answer. Can you tell me if this is a geometric series?
Kevin
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Sum of $n$ terms and infinite terms of series

The sum of $n$ terms of the series $$\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2!}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2+\frac{1\cdot 3}{3!}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^3+\frac{1\cdot 3 \cdot 5}{4!}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^4+\frac{1\cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot…
juantheron
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Two Divergent series such that their sum is convergent.

Give an example of two divergent series of real numbers sch that their sum is convergent. I have read that the sum of two divergent series can be divergent or convergent. I have found that, the series $\sum_{n=1}^\infty\frac{1}{n}$ and…
sigma
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Show that $a_n$ is decreasing

$a_1 = 2, a_{n+1} = \frac{1}{3 - a_n}$ for $n \ge 2$. Show $a_n$ is decreasing. First we need to show $a_n > 0$ for all $n$. $a_2 = 1/2$ and $a_3 = 2/5$ and $a_4 = 5/13$ One way we can do this is by showing $3- a_n > 0$. Thus suppose it holds for…
Amad27
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Compute $1 \cdot \frac {1}{2} + 2 \cdot \frac {1}{4} + 3 \cdot \frac {1}{8} + \cdots + n \cdot \frac {1}{2^n} + \cdots $

I have tried to compute the first few terms to try to find a pattern but I got $$\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{3}{8}+\frac{4}{16}+\frac{5}{32}+\frac{6}{64}$$ but I still don't see any obvious pattern(s). I also tried to look for a pattern in the…
Pikachu
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How to find the n'th number in this sequence

The first numbers of the sequence are {2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 4, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 5, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 4, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 6, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 4, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 5, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 4, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 7, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1,…
Coolwater
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Problem in solving a question related to Sandwich theorem.

The question is : Show that by Sandwich theorem the sequence $\left\{\left(1 + \frac{1}{3n+1}\right)^{3n} \right\}_n$ converges to $e$. Now,what I have done is that $\left(1 + \frac{1}{3n+1}\right)^{3n} < \left(1 +…
user251057
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Rearrangement of sequences with limit $0$

Is it true that every real sequence that converges to zero has the property that every rearrangement of it also converges to zero? I have a proof in mind, but I'm not 100% sure it's correct (although I'm pretty sure), so I just want a yes/no answer.
user38523
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Existence of sequences

Given real numbers $a, b, c$ such that $a^2= b^2+c^2$, there exists three sequences of natural numbers $a_n, b_n, c_n$ such that $a_n(a_n+1)= b_n(b_n+1)+c_n(c_n+1)$. The ratios $b_n/a_n$ and $ c_n/a_n$ converge to $b/a$ and $c/a$ respectively. Can…
user90533
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How to derive the gregory series for inverse tangent function?

How to derive the Gregory series for the inverse tangent function? Why is Gregory series applicable only to the set $ [-\pi/4,\pi/4] $ ?
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Series - Convergence or divergence - $a_n = \frac{(n!)^2}{2^{n^2}}$

I have this series: $$a_n = \frac{(n!)^2}{2^{n^2}}$$ I tried to solve it with: $$\lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{a_n+1}{a_n}$$ So I get: $$\lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{\frac{\big[(n+1)!\big]^2}{2^{(n+1)^2}}}{\frac{(n!)^2}{2^{n^2}}}$$ $$\lim_{n\to\infty}…
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simple prime formula $\sum_{i=0}^{\infty}\left\lfloor \frac{2n}{\pi(i)+n+1} \right\rfloor=P_n$

$\pi(n)$ is the prime counting function $\lfloor x\rfloor$ is the floor function $P_n$ is the nth prime number Mathematical experiment with wolfram calculator yield: No messy radical or power involve here We need a proof to verify that this formula…
user334593
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Sum of infinite series of Sech: $\sum_n \text{sech}(x(n-1/2))\text{sech}(x(n+p-1/2))$

I am wondering if anyone recognises the sum $\sum_{n=-\infty}^\infty \frac{1}{\cosh\left(x \; (n+p-\frac{1}{2}) \right) \cosh \left(x\; (n-\frac{1}{2}) \right) }$ ? I am trying to evaluate sums of this (and related) forms, but I appear to be…
Lou
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The sum of the first $3$ terms is $24$ and the sum of the next $3$ terms is $ 51.$

The sum of the first three terms of an arithmetic sequence is $24$ and the sum of the next three terms is $51$. Find the first term and the common difference. Here's what I did: I listed the six terms below. The first three add up to $24$, but the…