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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Show that $\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}\big[\frac{n^{n+1}+(n+1)^{n}}{n^{n+1}}\big]^{n}=e^{e}$

This is an exercise that a friend of mine asked to me this afternoon. Show that $\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}\big[\frac{n^{n+1}+(n+1)^{n}}{n^{n+1}}\big]^{n}=e^{e}.$ All we have done was elementary manipulations, but we got stuck. I would appreciate…
user23505
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Proving convergence of a series. Is my proof correct?

Prove that if $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}{a_{2n}}$ and $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}{a_{2n+1}}$ are convergent series then $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}{a_{n}}$ is also convergent From the assumption we know that $$\forall_{\epsilon>0} \exists_{ N_1>0}\forall_{m\geqslant…
wisniak
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Infinite sum for a geometric series.

I am asked to find the sum to the following infinite geometric series: $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{(2)(3^{n+1})}{5^n}$ I then factor out the 2 and one 3 from the $3^{n+1}$ and get: $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}6 (\frac{3}{5})^n$ this results in a = 6 and r =…
user137720
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Does $\sum_{n=0}^N{1\over\sqrt{n!}}$ have a closed form?

Just out of curiosity, does the sum $$\sum_{n=0}^N{1\over\sqrt{n!}}$$ have a closed form for $N<\infty$ or eventually $N\to\infty$ ? I cannot find it anywhere and it does not resemble any function expansion I can now recall.
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Convergence of $ \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \sqrt{a} \prod_{i=1}^{k}\frac{1}{1+i a}$ as $a \rightarrow 0$

Using numerical simulation, I can see that $$ v(a)=\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \sqrt{a} \prod_{i=1}^{k}\frac{1}{1+i a} $$ converges to some value $1
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How to sum $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2 + a^2}$?

Does anyone know the general strategy for summing a series of the form: $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2 + a^2},$$ where $a$ is a positive integer? Any hints or ideas would be great!
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problem about number and power of 2

Possible Duplicate: Starting digits of 2^n can anyone give me a hint ? Prove that any finite sequence of digits is a starting sequence of digits for some power of $2$. This is my attempt : suppose the random finite sequence is $a_1a_2...a_i =…
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Formula for producing numbers between 0 and 255?

I'm writing a program that needs to cycle through numbers between 0-255 given mouse X position. If given number goes over 255, the difference should be subtracted, as in 0,1,2...255,254,253...3,2,1,0,1,2,3,4...255,254... For example Given Output …
dukevin
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Find an explicit formula for the nth partial sum of the series, and determine whether it converges or diverges.

Consider the series $$\sum_{k = 1}^{\infty} \ln\frac{k+1}{k+2}$$ This is what I tried: Since this is not a geometric series I tried to compute parital sums. So I did: $$\sum_{k = 1}^{\infty} \ln({k+1})-ln({k+2})$$ I computed the first couple sums…
Overclock
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Find the $a$ to make the sum of series equal to zero,$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty }\frac{1}{3n^2+3n-a}=0$

Find all values of $a$ which make the sum of series $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty }\frac{1}{3n^2+3n-a}=0$
E.H.E
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How do I find the radius of convergence of a power series like this

Given: $$ a_n= \begin{cases} \frac{1}{3^n} & \text{if $n$ is prime,}\\ \frac{1}{4^n} & \text{if $n$ is not prime}. \end{cases} $$ The ratio test will work fine here, but the way series is defined I am confused regarding it. Any help would be…
Sophie Clad
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Sum of digits of all 4-digit numbers divisible by 7

What would be the way to approach this problem?
Ankur Chachra
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Proving the following formula of $\ln(2)$

Proving the following formula of …
E.H.E
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does this sequence necessarily converge?

Let $\{x_n\}$ be a real sequence that satisfies $|x_{n+1} - x_n| < \frac{1}{n}$ for all $n \geq 1$. Suppose we know that $\{x_n\}$ is bounded, then must $\{x_n\}$ converge?
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The sequence $\sin \left({n\pi}\over 6\right)$ has the superior limit $L=1\dots$

I am studying limit points of a sequence now, and have some misunderstandings. Here's an exercises I have: The sequence $$\sin \left({n\pi}\over 6\right)$$ has the superior limit $L=1$and the inferior one $l=-1$. Then it is written that: the…
wonderingdev
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