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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Limit of a sequence defined by a two-step nonlinear recursion

Let $x_0, x_1$ be positive numbers and define $$x_{n+2}=x_{n+1}+\frac{1}{x_n + \sqrt{n}}$$ Prove that the sequence $y_n = x_n / \sqrt{n} \to 1 \\ \\ \\$. My attempt: I think it would suffice to consider the inequalities $x_n < \sqrt{n}$ and $x_n >…
Ayesha
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Problem: Two Trains and a Fly

The Problem: Two trains travel on the same track towards each other, each going at a speed of 50 kph. They start out 50km apart. A fly starts at the front of one train and flies at 75 kph to the front of the other; when it gets there, it turns…
Jamie Banks
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For which numbers $a$ does the sequence of iterated base changing $(a, a_a, a_{a_a}, a_{a_{a_a}}, ...)$ converge?

Defining "$a\text{ in base }b$" as $$a_b=\sum^{\infty}_{k=0}\frac{a_{[k]}}{b^k}$$ with $a_{[k]}$ being the digits of $a\in (1,10)$ and $b\gt 1$. For example, if $a=3.1416$ and $b=4.6$,…
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Prove $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \text{arccot }a_n^2=\frac{\pi}{12}$ where $a_n=\frac{\left(2+\sqrt{3}\right)^n-\left(2-\sqrt{3}\right)^n}{\sqrt{3}}$

Let $a_1=2$, $a_2=8$, $a_n=4a_{n-1}-a_{n-2}$, $n=3,4,5,\ldots$. Prove: $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \mathrm{arccot} (a_n^2)=\frac{\pi}{12} $$ My attempt: I have worked out $a_n=\frac{\left(2+\sqrt{3}\right)^n-\left(2-\sqrt{3}\right)^n}{\sqrt{3}}$, but I do…
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$ \frac{\pi}{4} = \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{5}{4} \times \frac{7}{8} \times \frac{11}{12} \times \cdots$ (just primes in the numerator)

How to prove the following equality? $$ \frac{\pi}{4} = \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{5}{4} \times \frac{7}{8} \times \frac{11}{12} \times \frac{13}{12} \times \frac{17}{16} \times \frac{19}{20} \times \frac{23}{24} \times \frac{29}{28} \times…
Pedro
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Find the limit $ \lim_{n \to \infty}\left(\frac{a^{1/n}+b^{1/n}+c^{1/n}}{3}\right)^n$

For $a,b,c>0$, Find $$ \lim_{n \to \infty}\left(\frac{a^{1/n}+b^{1/n}+c^{1/n}}{3}\right)^n$$ how can I find the limit of sequence above? Provide me a hint or full solution. thanks ^^
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Is this contrived sequence eventually periodic?

For a number $n$ we build an infinite table $A(n)_{ij}\;(i,j\ge0)$ such that: $$A(n)_{ij} = 0, \text{if } i = 0$$ and for each $i\ne0$ we build a sequence $m_{i0}..m_{i(n-1)}$ such that $m_{i0} = 0$ and $m_{i(a+1)} = A(n)_{(i-1)(m_{ia})}$ and set…
Nikita
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Series convergence without sigma notation

Consider the following series: $$\frac{1}{1} + \frac{10}{2} + \frac{100}{3} - \frac{37}{4} - \frac{37}{5} - \frac{37}{6} + \frac{1}{7} + \frac{10}{8} + \frac{100}{9} - \frac{37}{10} - \frac{37}{11} - \frac{37}{12} + \dots$$ This series seems to…
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Is there any possibility to do divergent summation with $\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\exp(\sqrt k) $?

Self-studying some properties of the exponential-function I came to the question of ways to assign a value to the divergent sum $$s=\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\exp(\sqrt k) $$ I have no idea how to attack this with standard methods (I do not know many). …
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How to evaluate the series $1+\frac34+\frac{3\cdot5}{4\cdot8}+\frac{3\cdot5\cdot7}{4\cdot8\cdot12}+\cdots$

How can I evaluate the following series: $$1+\frac{3}{4}+\frac{3\cdot 5}{4\cdot 8}+\frac{3\cdot 5\cdot 7}{4\cdot 8\cdot 12}+\frac{3\cdot 5\cdot 7\cdot 9}{4\cdot 8\cdot 12\cdot 16}+\cdots$$ In one book I saw this sum is equal to $\sqrt{8}$, but I…
asimath
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$\sum_{n=1}^\infty\log\left (\frac{n^2}{1+n^2}\right)$

I'm trying to evaluate the following series: $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \log \left(\dfrac{n^2}{1+n^2}\right)$$ - In this case the terms are negative $\lim\limits_{n\rightarrow \infty} \log \left(\dfrac{n^2}{1+n^2}\right)=\log 1=0$ Now I'm not sure about…
Anne
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Solving an infinite product of consecutive square roots

Given $a$ and $b$ calculate $ab$ $$a=\sqrt{7\sqrt{2\sqrt{7\sqrt{2\sqrt{...}}}}}$$ $$b=\sqrt{2\sqrt{7\sqrt{2\sqrt{7\sqrt{...}}}}}$$ I simplified the terms and further obtained that $ab$ is equal…
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Are two sequences equal if the sums and sums of squares are equal?

Are two sequences $(x_i)_{i=1,\ldots,n}$ and $(y_i)_{i=1,\ldots,n}$ equal if $\sum_{i=1}^nx_i=\sum_{i=1}^ny_i$ and $\sum_{i=1}^nx_i^2=\sum_{i=1}^ny_i^2$?
Syltherien
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How do I find the sum of a sequence whose common difference is in Arithmetic Progression?

How do I find the sum of a sequence whose common difference is in Arithmetic Progression ? Like in the following series :- $1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45, 55, 66, 78, 91$ And also how to find it's $n^{th}$ term ??
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What is the appropriate method to find the value of $1$ - $1\over 7$ + $1\over 13$ - ... upto infinite terms?

What is the appropriate method to find the value of $1$ - $1\over 7$ + $1\over 13$ - ... upto infinite terms? (The denominators increase by 6 in consecutive terms) I approximated it by integrating $\frac{1}{1+x^6}$ putting x=1...is there a better…
user220382