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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The 6-order Euler sums

How to calculate the value of the series $$\sum\limits_{n = 1}^\infty {\frac{1}{{{n^4}}}\left( {\sum\limits_{k = 1}^n {\frac{{{{\left( { - 1} \right)}^{k - 1}}}}{{{k^2}}}} } \right)} \quad\text{and}\quad \sum\limits_{n = 1}^\infty …
xuce1234
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How to evaluate this limit and its convergence? $\sum_{n=1}^\infty\frac{1}{n\sqrt[n]{n}}$

How to evaluate this limit $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty\frac{1}{n\sqrt[n]{n}}$$ and its convergence? I tried ratio test, root test, Raabe's test. However, I'm not getting anywhere. Can you please help me? Thank you
Andrew
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Simplification of geometric series.

Can someone please help simplify this series? $$\sum_{k=1}^\infty k\left(\frac 12\right)^k$$ In general, $$\sum_{k=1}^\infty\left(\frac 12\right)^k = \frac{1}{1-\frac{1}{2}} =2.$$ However, I am confused with the $k$ in front of the term $k\big(\frac…
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Non- linear recurrent relation (exponential term)

Is there any solution to this recurrent relation: $X_n=\alpha-e^{-\beta X_{n-1}}$, $X_0=0$, $\alpha>1$ and $\beta>0$
jila
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Calculate the sum of infinite series with general term $\frac{n^2}{2^n}$.

Please explain different methods to calculate the sum of infinite series with $\dfrac{n^2}{2^n}$ as it's general term i.e. Calculate $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \dfrac {n^2}{2^n}$$ Please avoid the method used for summation of arithmetic geometric series.…
divban
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Series question,related to telescopic series, 1/2*4+ 1*3/2*4*6+ 1*3*5/2*4*6*8 ...infinity

The series is $$\frac{1}{2*4}+ \frac{1*3}{2*4*6}+ \frac{1*3*5}{2*4*6*8}+....$$ It continues to infinity.I tried multiplying with $2$ and dividing each term by$(3-1)$,$(5-3)$ etc,starting from the second term which gives me $$\frac{1}{8}…
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Explicit definition from recursive definition

I have the recursive definition: $$a_0=0,~a_{n+1} = 28 + a_n + \left\lfloor\frac{a_n}{16}\right\rfloor$$ I want to create an explicit form for that. I was able to transform the problem into finding an explicit form of $$b_0 = 0, b_n = 28 -…
user179933
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How do I solve this geometric series

I have this geometric series $2+1+ \frac{1}{2}+ \frac{1}{4}+...+ \frac{1}{128}$to solve. So I extract the number two and get $2(\frac{1}{2}^0+ \frac{1}{2}^1+...+ \frac{1}{2}^7)$ I use the following formula $S_n= \frac{x^{n+1}-1}{x-1}$ so I plug in…
S4M1R
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Divergence of the serie $\sum \frac{n^n}{n!}(\frac{1}{e})^n$

Show that the serie $$\sum \frac{n^n}{n!} \big(\frac{1}{e}\big)^n$$ Diverges. The ratio test is inconclusive and the limit of the term is zero. So I think we should use the comparasion test. But I couldnt find any function to use, I've tried the…
Giiovanna
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How to prove $\sum\limits_{i=1}^{\infty}\frac{i}{2^i}$ converges?

What would be the simplest way to prove that $\sum\limits_{i=1}^{\infty}\dfrac{i}{2^i}$ converges?
crgolden
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How to find bn for limit comparison?

I am asking how to do the Limit comparison test for this: $$\lim {An\over Bn} =L$$ You choose $B_n$ yourselve, but how do you choose it? Example: $$A_n = \frac{3n^2 + 5n + 1}{\sqrt{(n^5 + 5 )}}$$ $$B_n = {3\over \sqrt{n}}$$ $$\large \lim…
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absolute convergence of an infinite series

Show that the series: $$1 + \frac{x}{1\cdot 2} + \frac{x^2}{2\cdot 3} + \frac{x^3}{3\cdot 4} + \cdots$$ is absolutely convergent when $-1< x <+1$. I've been trying to prove this however am having difficulty when $x = 1$ where it would seem to…
omar1810
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Sign of a series

Someone could compute the sign of the following series ? \begin{equation} \underset{k > 0}{\sum} \frac{\sin (kx)}{k} \end{equation} I expect that is the same as the first term $\sin x$ because of the pseudo terms-alternate property of the serie, but…
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Limit of this recursive sequence and convergence

$$a_{n+1}=\sqrt{4a_n+3}$$ $a_1=5$ I can solve simpler but I get stuck here because I cant find an upper bound or roots of the quadratic equation $a_{n+1} -a_n= \frac{4a_n+3 - a_n^2}{\sqrt{4a_n +3}+a_n}...$ to find monotony. I tried this generic…
GorillaApe
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Proving that $\sin x \cos x =\dfrac{1}{2} \sin 2x$ by using the series definition of $\sin x$

As we know, we can define that: $$\sin x= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^n \dfrac{x^{2n+1}}{(2n+1)!},\quad x \in \boldsymbol{R}$$ and also $$\cos x= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^n \dfrac{x^{2n}}{(2n)!},\quad x \in \boldsymbol{R}$$ Furthermore, we know this…