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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sum of series $\frac{x}{1-x^2}+\frac{x^2}{1-x^4}+\frac{x^4}{1-x^8}+\cdots$

Sum of $n$ terms of the series $$\frac{x}{1-x^2}+\frac{x^2}{1-x^4}+\frac{x^4}{1-x^8}+\cdots…
jacky
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nth term of the sequence 1,2,3,5,7,9............

what will be the formula for finding the nth term of a series in which the difference between the terms increase by 1 after every k elements For example (for k = 3) : 1,2,3,5,7,9,12,15,18........ (k=2) : 1,2,4,6,9,12,16,20,25...... i found some…
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Proof the sequence $z_n=px_n+qy_n$ converges implies sequence $x_n$ converges.

I want to prove that the sequence $x_n$ converges, given that the above sequence $z_n=px_n+qy_n$ converges, and that: $p,q\ >0$ and $p+q = 1$ $\displaystyle{ \forall n,\ y_n = \sum_{k=1}^n t_{n,k} x_k }$ $\forall k,\ t_{n,k} > 0$, $t_{n,k}…
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How to expand $\sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{k^k}{k!}e^{-k\lambda}$

I know that $\sum_{k=0}^\infty \dfrac{k^k}{k!}\dfrac{e^{-k-k\tfrac{s}{n}}}{\sqrt{n}}$ can be expanded in powers of $\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$ to yield: $\frac1{\sqrt{2s}}+\frac{1}{3\sqrt{n}}+\frac{\sqrt{2s}}{12n}+\dotso$ My question is twofold: (i) is…
Honza
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Series with cosine explanation

Would someone please explain how I would solve this problem without having to use Wolfram Alpha? This problem was originally posted on Google Plus. Wolfram Alpha: http://wolfr.am/Z42ivS
Quaxton Hale
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Is it possible to obtain the sum of this infinite series?

Is it possible to obtain the sum of the infinite series: $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{c^n}{1-q^n}$$ where $0
WWJmath
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Sum $\left(1-\frac12\right) + \left(1-\frac12\right)\frac13+ \left(1-\frac12\right)\left(1-\frac13\right)\frac14+\cdots$

The following sum is (wrongly) obtained by trying a variation on Zeno's arrow paradox : $$\left(1-\frac12\right) + \left(1-\frac12\right)\frac13+ \left(1-\frac12\right)\left(1-\frac13\right)\frac14+…
jimjim
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find a disjoint set of non-trivial arithmetic sequences such that no two sequences have the same jump and $N = \bigcup_{m}\{(a_m,d_m)\}$

Is it possible to find a disjoint set of non-trivial arithmetic sequences $\{(a_m,d_m)\} := \{a_m,a_m+d_m,a_m+2d_m,...\}$, such that no two sequences have the same jump $(m \neq n \rightarrow d_m \neq d_n)$ and $N = \bigcup_{m}\{(a_m,d_m)\}$, where…
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Prove $\sum_{k=0}^\infty \binom{2n+k+1}{n}/2^{2n+k+1}=1$.

I was trying to find a closed form for the sum $\sum_{k=0}^\infty \binom{2n+k+1}{n}/2^{2n+k+1}$. According to Wolfram https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=sum+(2n%2Bk%2B1)!%2F(n!*n%2Bk%2B1)!*2%5E(2n%2Bk%2B1))+from+k%3D0+to+infinity this sum…
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How to find last items of order to get its sum

Find the sum of order: $$\sum_{n=1}^{∞}\left(\frac{\frac{3}{2}}{2n+3}-\frac{\frac{3}{2}}{2n-1}\right)$$ There is how they count it in book: $$s_{n} =…
Buksy
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Evaluate $\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty } \frac {[(n+1)(n+2)\cdots(n+n)]^{1/n}}{n}$

Evaluate $$\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty~} \dfrac {[(n+1)(n+2)\cdots(n+n)]^{\dfrac {1}{n}}}{n}$$ using Cesáro-Stolz theorem. I know there are many question like this, but i want to solve it using Cesáro-Stolz method and no others. I took log and…
Cloud JR K
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$a:=\lim_{n\to\infty}\sum_{k=1}^n\frac{a_k}{n}$, $k|a_{k+1}-a_k|<1, $prove $\lim_{n\to\infty}a_n=a$

Let $\{a_n\}$ be a sequence of real numbers. If $a:=\lim_{n\to\infty}\sum_{k=1}^n\frac{a_k}{n}$ exists and $\forall{k}\in\mathbb{N^+}\quad k|a_{k+1}-a_k|<1$. Please prove $\lim_{n\to\infty}a_n=a.$ The limit of its average do not guarantee the…
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Value of $\lim\limits_{n\rightarrow \infty}(a_{1}+a_{2}+\cdots +a_{n})$

If $\displaystyle a_{n}=\bigg(\frac{n!}{1\cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot 7\cdot...\cdot (2n+1)}\bigg)^2.$ Then $\displaystyle \lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}\bigg(a_{1}+a_{2}+...+a_{n}\bigg)$ is Options: $(a)$ Does not exists $(b)$ Greater than $\displaystyle…
DXT
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Steadily accumulating number formula

This is quite likely a super simple question, but I lack the descriptive power to be able to find the answer on Google! Consider the following two number sequences: 00, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 45, 45, 45, 45, 45, 45, 45, 45, 45, 45 Both…
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Help on $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1}\frac{H_n^3}{n}$

From this post: The sum: $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{n+1}\frac{H_n^3}{n+1}=-\frac{9}{8}\zeta(3)\ln(2)+\frac{\pi^4}{288}-\frac{\ln^4(2)}{4}+\frac{\pi^2}{8}\ln^2(2)$$ by moving the $n+1$ back to $n$ What is the sum of:…
user550260