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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How to express alternating $-1,0,1$ in a series

I am dealing with a series that has a term: $$\sum\limits_{n=1}^\infty\sin\left(\frac{n\pi}{2}\right)$$ How would I express this without the sine function? I know it alternates $1, 0, -1, 0, 1, \dots$ Can I express this as $-1$ raised to some power?
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Convergence or Divergences of a cos series.

$$ \sum_0^\infty \cos n\theta $$ The answer in the book says that this series is divergent. Which I initially agreed with because according to one of the theorems If $a_n = \cos n\theta$ and the sequence does not converge to $0$ then the series does…
user71181
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Problem in Algebra and Geometric sequence

I need help on this one question which is in Algebra and on Geometric progression. The question is as follows: In a geometric sequence prove that: $(b-c)^2 + (c-a)^2 + (d-b)^2 = (d-a)^2$. Thanks, Sudeep
Sudeep
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Tournament bracket match number formula

In a tournament with direct elimination where teams are seeded, the first seed team plays the last seed team, the second seed team, play the one before last seed team, etc. I'll use example with 16 teams which gives us the total of 8 matches. So the…
mmvsbg
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Estimation of a series

I'd like to show this formula that I found without proof in a book: $$\sum\limits_{z\in\mathbb{Z}^3,|z|\leq\omega}\frac{1}{|z|^2-k^2}=4\pi\omega + O(1) \qquad\text{ as }\quad\omega\rightarrow\infty$$ where $k$ is a fixed complex number with positive…
Junior
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prove a sequence is decreasing after the second term

Prove that the sequence $a_n=\frac{n+1}{n!}$ is decreasing after the second term. I thought that if $a_{n+1}
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Series of numbers without 6

Let $\{n_k\}$ be the sequence of natural numbers who doesn't have the number $6$ on the decimal expansion, i.e. $\{n_k\} = \mathbb{N}\backslash\{6,16,26,36,46,56,60,61,\ldots\}$. Demonstrate that $$\sum\limits \frac{1}{n_k} = L<90$$ I'm trying to…
MathGuest
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Sum $\sum_{k=1}^{n}a^k\sin(k \frac{2\pi}{l})$

An engineer has told me they need to evaluate $$\sum_{k=1}^{n}a^k\sin(k \frac{2\pi}{l})$$ as part of their problem. I am unable to provide any further motivation for this question at the moment.
jimjim
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Is $\sum\limits_{n=1}^\infty \frac {\log n}{n}$ convergent or not?

Problem: Is it convergent or not ?$$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac {\log n}{n}$$ Solution:$$ \lim_{n\to\infty} \frac {\log n}{n}=0$$ So it can be convergent or divergent Other tests are not looking good please help
rst
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How do I prove that there is no strictly monotonically increasing arithmetic sequence in which all elements are primes?

Does anyone have an idea on how to prove this? "There is no strictly monotonically increasing arithmetic sequence in which all elements are primes." Any help appreciated! Thanks:)
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Calculate $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}n^2q^{n-1}$

Please show me how to calculate the sum of this infinite series: $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}n^2 q^{n-1}$$ I should have included the condition $\mid q\mid$<1 And I was able to solve the infinite series of $$S_n=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}n q^{n-1}=1+2q+3…
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Infinite amount of additions, finite sum?

I suggest it's a popular question, so if it was asked already (I couldn't find it anyway), close this question instead of downvoting, thanks! Let's check this addition: $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{2^n}=2$ It looks like $1 + \frac12 + \frac14 +…
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Formulas for the polygonal or figurate numbers?

Here is an interesting formula for the reciprocal of the heptagonal numbers. Are there any other analogous formulas for the polygonal or figurate numbers? $$ \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{2}{n(5n-3)}…
Alan
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proof that the inequality $n (n-1)^n > n^n$ holds for all $n \ge 4$

I am trying to prove that the inequality $n(n-1)^n > n^n$ holds for all $n\ge4$. I tried using mathematical induction, but I really couldn´t find a way how to get past the $P(n) \implies P(n+1)$ step. I get $n(n-1)^n > n^n$ implies $n^{n+1} >…
Adam
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Summation of a difference of two square-roots

Does a closed form expression exist for $$\sum_{k=1}^{n}\left(\sqrt{1+\frac{1}{k}}-\sqrt{1 -\frac{1}{k}}\right)$$ I obtained $$0.97423066\ln(n)+1.2019463$$ using log regression and it works very well for my (physics) problems but I was wondering if…