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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Formula for $\sum_{k=1}^n \frac{10}{10+k}$

In a normal problem solving I run into a sum: $\sum_{k=1}^n \frac{10}{10+k}$ Let $n=20$ or something like that (not huge). Browsing a list of sums and another, I'm not finding a formula for this one. I'm wondering is it possible to find a formula…
bobobobo
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Geometric Series question

Could someone give me a hint on how I could do this question( it is a non- calculator question): The 5th term of a geometric series is 12 and the 7th term is 3. Find the two possible values of the sum to infinity of the series
Maths2468
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How to write a formula for this infinite sum?

My first term at $n=1$ is $$\sqrt 2 $$ 2nd term at $n=2$ is $$\sqrt {\sqrt 2+2} $$ So I am adding 2 to the previous term then taking the square root of the entire equation. At $n=3$ I have $$\sqrt {\sqrt {\sqrt {2}+2}+2}$$ And so on. I want to sum…
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Convergence of the series $\sum_{n = 1}^{+\infty}{\left(n\sin{\frac{1}{n}}\right)^n}$

I have to study the convergence of the series $$ \sum_{n = 1}^{+\infty}{\left(n\sin{\frac{1}{n}}\right)^n} $$ and $$ \sum_{n = 1}^{+\infty}{\left(\left(n\sin{\frac{1}{n}}\right)^n - 1\right)}. $$ I know I should study the limit $$ \lim_{n\to…
Biblot
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How do I do this sum?

I am trying to find $$\frac{4}{9} + \frac{5}{27} + \frac{7}{81} + \frac{8}{243} + \frac{13}{729} + \frac{15}{2187} + \frac{31}{6561} + \frac{33}{19683} + \frac{34}{59049} + \cdots $$ I have tried to let the sum be $S$ then multiply by $3$ and…
terrace
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What is the answer to this infinite sum?

I don't know the answer to this infinite sum due to it being "slightly unusual". We "apply" the Thue-Morse sequence (e.g.: $ABBABAAB\ BAABABBA\ BAABABBA\ ABBABAAB$) to the signs of the terms in the infinite(ly long) sum…
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convergence/divergence $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n^2}$

$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(n)}{n^2}$$ I have tried the comparison test with $\frac{1}{n}$ and got $0$ with $\frac{1}{n^2}$ I got $\infty$ What should I try?
gbox
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Find $\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \left(\frac{1}{k+3}-\frac{1}{k+4}\right)$

$$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \left(\frac{1}{k+3}-\frac{1}{k+4}\right)$$ It is a telescopic series , so I write it as: $a_n=\frac{1}{4}-\frac{1}{k+4}$ taking the limit $\lim_{k\to \infty}\frac{1}{4}-\frac{1}{k+4}=\frac{1}{4}$ Is it legit?
gbox
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Closed Form for sum $\sum^{\infty}_{n=1} \frac{1}{3^n+n}$

I encountered this sum in my math class and I don't know how to get a closed form. I've tried using the residue theorem and it hasn't gone anywhere, although I'm guessing that's how one would be found. Any ideas?
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Limit of the infinite sum of $\frac{n}{2^n}$?

How should I rewrite the sequence so that we have a form that we can easily calculate the limit?
lsy
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Convergence of $\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n$ with $a_n=\cos(\pi \sqrt{n^2+n+1})$.

Let the series $\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n$ with $a_n=\cos(\pi \sqrt{n^2+n+1})$. I read that this series is convergent. I see that the series is divergent by the nth term divergence test since $a_n$ does not go to zero as $n$ goes to…
palio
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Summation of this huge series

The value of $\dfrac{2^2+1}{2^2-1}+\dfrac{3^2+1}{3^2-1}...+\dfrac{2011^2+1}{2011^2-1}$ is: In the interval $(2010,2010\frac{1}{2})$ In the interval $(2011-1/2011,2011-1/2012)$ In the interval $(2011,2011\frac{1}{2})$ In the interval…
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Convergence of the series $\sum\ln(1+\frac{(-1)^n}{n+1})$

I want to show that the series whose nth term is $a_n=\ln(1+\frac{(-1)^n}{n+1})$ is convergent. I wanted to use the limit comparison test to compare it to the $p$ series but $a_n$ is not positive. I thought of writing the power series…
palio
  • 11,064
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Is there a formula for fibonacci sequence?

Is there a formula for fibonacci sequence? If yes, how to derive it. I was told in class yesterday about this series, and I want to know if we can generalize it to any n. If you don't know what the series is, It is a function such that…
user313384