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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Sum of an infinite series involving arctan

I came across the following infinite series: $$\sum_{r=1}^\infty \arctan(\frac{1}{2r^2})$$ I multiplied and divided the argument of arctan by $2$ and rewrote the expression as $$\sum_{r=1}^\infty \arctan(\frac{(2r+1)-(2r-1)}{1 +(2r+1)(2r-1)})$$ Then…
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How to show the convergence of the following sequence?

Given a sequence $a_n$ which converges to the limit $l$, how do I show the convergence of the sequence $b_n=a_{n+1}$ using $\epsilon$-definition of convergence of a sequence? I know that $b_n$ will also converge to the same limit $l$ and this is how…
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What's The Limit of The Recursion $a_{n+1} = \sqrt{2+\sqrt{a_n}}$ with $a_0 = \sqrt{2}$?

I'm following a study guide for an exam and the very first question is: Show that the sequence defined by $a_{n+1} = \sqrt{2+\sqrt{a_n}}$ with $a_0 = \sqrt{2}$ is increasing, bounded and calculate it's limit as $n \to \infty$. The first parts are…
Guybrush
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Calculating the sum of this arithmetic series: $9-6+4- \frac 83 + ... + \frac{256}{729}-\frac{512}{2187}$

I need help with calculating the sum of this arithmetic series: $9-6+4- \frac 83 + ... + \frac{256}{729}-\frac{512}{2187}$ I watched this math video to try to solve it: https://youtu.be/BA0uxIaMtMs And I found these two formulas: $a_n=a_1 +…
Bioelli
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Why does $(a_n)$ bounded imply that $(b_n)$ is decreasing?

Why does $(a_n)$ bounded imply that $(b_n)$ is decreasing? $$(a_n)=a_1,a_2,\dots\tag{1}$$ $$b_n=\sup (a_n,a_{n+1},\dots), c_n=\inf (a_n,a_{n+1},\dots)$$ If $\left(a_n\right)$ is bounded, then $\left(b_n\right)$ exists and $(b_n)$ is decreasing,…
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Proof or Counterexample on the Convergence of a Series

So one of my professors proposed a problem to me and it has stumped me for some time now. Here's how it goes: Suppose you have a sequence $a_n$ of real numbers such that $$\lim_{n\to\infty} a_{n} = 0$$ and suppose the sequence of partial sums $s_n$…
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Is there formula for this squared geometric (?) progression?

Is there non-recursive formula for the following sequence: $$a_1=\frac12,$$ $$a_n=\frac12a_{n-1}^2+\frac12$$ If there is, how do you suggest I can determine it?
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Why is $1/n^{1/3}$ convergent?

I thought because $p<1$ it would be divergent, but apparently not. Why is that?
emk
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Finding $T_{200}$ of given series

In a certain series, the $n$th term, $T_n=4T_{n-1} + n – 1$. If $T_1$ = 4, then find the value of $T_{200}$. I tried the following: $T_n-T_{n-1}=3T_{n-1} + n – 1$ $T_{n-1}-T_{n-2}=3T_{n-2} + n – 2$ $T_{n-2}-T_{n-3}=3T_{n-3} + n – 3$ Then I proceeded…
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Does the series $\sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{a^{nk}b^{mk}}{(nk)!(mk)!}$ have a closed-form solution?

I am currently trying to find a closed form formula for this series: $$\sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{a^{nk}b^{mk}}{(nk)!(mk)!}$$ with $a,b \in \mathbb{R}^*_+$, $n,m \in \mathbb{N}^*$, $\gcd(n,m) = 1$. (Don't know if this info is relevant) I tried to find…
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Convergence of two variable infinite sum.

Does the sum $\sum_{n=1, k=1} (n+k)^{-2}$ converge? If so how do I show it? I can show that $\sum_{n=1, k=1} (n+k)^{-3}$ converges by splitting up the sum into two sums, $\sum_{\ell}\sum_{n+k=\ell} (n+k)^{-3}$, which is bounded by $2\sum_\ell…
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Number pattern/ sequencing

A sequence is given by $U_m =2U_n - 1$ where m is $n+1$. $U_1=2$ for $n\geq1$. Find the term of the sequence that has value 257. Approach: $U_m$=$2U_n - 1 = 257$ $U_n = 129$ $U_1 = 2$ $U_2 = 3$ $U_3 = 5$ $U_4 = 9$ $U_5 = 17$ Of course, if I continue…
Joe
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Alternating angle sum related to Basel problem

Motivated by this question I considered the alternating sum of vectors illustrated here: To describe this, there is a vector $\langle1,0\rangle$ of length $1$. Then add an orthogonal vector of length $\frac12$. From, there, add an orthogonal vector…
2'5 9'2
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How to prove this summation of floor function

I am supposed to show that $$ \left\lfloor \frac{n+1}{2} \right\rfloor + \left\lfloor \frac{n+2}{2^2} \right\rfloor + \left\lfloor \frac{n+2^2}{2^3} \right\rfloor + \cdots + \left\lfloor \frac{n+2^k}{2^{k+1}} \right\rfloor + \cdots = n $$ For all…
x3la.F
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Why does the sequence $a_n = a_{n-1}^2 - 1$ end up in $0,-1,0,-1,\cdots$?

I have this recurrence relation: $$a_n=a_{n-1}^2-1$$ I can see that this sequence stays constant if $a_0=\phi$ or $1-\phi$ and it can also stably continue like $0,-1,0,-1,\cdots$. ($\phi=\frac{1+\sqrt{5}}2)$ The sequence will diverge to $+\infty$ if…
Saturday
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