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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Convergence of the series $\sum_{n=1}^\infty [\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}-\sqrt{\ln(1+\frac{1}{n})}]$.

I know the series converges. I am not allowed to use any calculus to solve this problem. My professor suggested that I try and use the limit comparison test, but I do not know how to evaluate any limits involving these terms.
Jungleshrimp
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I have to find maximum and minimum of a certain sequence.

I was given a sequnce and have to identify maximum and minimum of this sequence: And I think that maximum is 1 and minimum -1/2 *Speaking about maximum -> every other number of this sequence is equal or smaller and 1 is a part of sequence =…
naruto25
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The sum of the series

$$\frac{1}{\log_24}+\frac{1}{\log_44} + \frac{1}{\log_84}.....\frac{1}{\log_{2^n}4}$$ MY SOLUTION We can write it as $$\frac{\log2}{\log4} + \frac{\log4}{\log4} + ....\frac{\log 2^n}{\log4}$$ $$=\frac{1}{\log4}\left[\log 2 + \log 4....\log…
Aditya
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Can someone explain to me why this pattern appears when consolidating numbers within multiplication tables to single digits?

This is something I came across about a year ago while playing with numbers in my head, I shared it with a couple friends who couldn't explain why it happens either, and since forgot about it until recently. Two examples of consolidating a number to…
CPLeu
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What is the minimum value of $x$ for which this "reciprocal pronic" series, $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^x(n+1)^x}$, converges?

If we define a function as: $$P(x)=\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^x(n+1)^x}$$ For $x=1$, we have a standard telescoping series that sums to $1$. For $x=2$, the series sums to $\frac{\pi^2}{3}-3$. For $x=3$, the series sums to $10-\pi^2$, ... and so…
Dottard
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Is $\sum_{k=1}^{n} \cos(k^ {1/3} )$ bounded by a constant M?

I understand what $\sum_{k=1}^{n} \cos(k)$ is bounded by a constant, but I don't have any idea how to prove if $\sum_{k=1}^{n} \cos(k^ {1/3} )$ is bounded or not.
Cheter Sh
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Convergence of a sequence $a_n$

For $\theta \in \left]0,\pi\right[$ and $n \in \mathbb{N}^{*}$, I'm asked whether the convergence of $$ a_n=\left(n! \prod_{k=1}^{n}\sin\left(\frac{\theta}{k}\right)\right)^{1/n} $$ What I've tried is to transform (if i'm right) $a_n$…
Atmos
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Find $f^{(97)}(0)$ of Maclaurin series for $f(x) = x^2\cos{9x}$

Find $f^{(97)}(0)$ of Maclaurin series for $f(x) = x^2\cos{9x}$ I tried finding for the Maclaurin series for $f(x) = x^2\cos{9x}$ and I got $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n(81)^nx^{2n+2}}{(2n)!}$$ I'm not sure if that's correct. If that is true, or…
Marcus
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Is there a moment where $x= y^2 + yz + z^2, y = z^2 - \sqrt 2zx + x^2, z = x^2 - xy + y^2 \in \mathbb Q$?

On the board, there are three numbers $$\large x_0 = -\sqrt 2 - 1, y_0 = \sqrt 2, z_0 = -\sqrt 2 + 1$$ . Every minute, a computer is programmed to erase the numbers previously written and write on the board numbers $$\large \begin{align} x_n &=…
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What is the 94th term of this sequence? $1,1,2,2,2,2,3,3,3,3,3,3,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,\ldots$

What is the 94th term of the following sequence? $$1,1,2,2,2,2,3,3,3,3,3,3,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,\ldots$$ 8 9 10 11 My Attempt: I found that the answer is 3rd option i.e. 94th term is 10. As every number is written 2n: n is natural number. Here 94…
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Proof that arithmetic series diverges

Let $(a_n)_{n=1}^\infty$ be a sequence where for any $i$, we have $a_{i+1}-a_i=d\in\mathbb{R}$. It is intuitively obvious that the series $a_1+a_2+a_3+\dots$ diverges (unless all $a_i$ are identically zero). But when I try to write down a formal…
user694133
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The convergence of $\sum^{\infty}_{n=1} \tan(nx)/n^2$

I am very confused and curious about the convergence of $\sum^{\infty}_{n=1} \tan(nx)/n^2$ when $x$ is any real number. Of course if $x=\pi/2$, the series blow up. However, what about other cases? I cannot find a way to approach...Could anyone…
Keith
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Find number of distinct integer terms in the sequence

We have to find the number of distinct integer terms in the sequence $$\Big\lfloor\frac{i^2}{2005}\Big\rfloor$$ from $i=1$ to $2005$ where $\lfloor . \rfloor$ represents the floor function. Initially I calculated the first few terms and saw all the…
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Prove that the series is conditionally convergent

$$ \sum_{n=1}^\infty (-1)^{n+1} \left( \frac{1.4.7\dots .(3n-2)}{2.3.8\dots .(3n-1)} \right)^2 $$ I have done the$ \sum_{n=1}^\infty \left( \frac{1.4.7\dots .(3n-2)}{2.3.8\dots .(3n-1)} \right)^2 $ part , and showed it divergent using Gauss test…
kurama
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If $a_n=\left[\frac{n^2+8n+10}{n+9}\right]$, find $ \sum_{n=1}^{30} a_n$

I am working on a problem, assuming high school math knowledge. Let ${a_n}$ be the sequence defined by $$a_n=\left[\frac{n^2+8n+10}{n+9}\right]\,,$$ where $[x]$ denotes the largest integer which does not exceed $x$. Find the value of $…