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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Summation: $x+ \sum _{ n=1 }^{ \infty }{ \frac { (-1)^{n-1} (2n-3) (2n-5)\cdots 5\cdot 3\cdot 1}{ 2^{n} n! (2n+1)}x^{2n+1} }$

I have to calculate: $$x+ \sum _{ n=1 }^{ \infty }{ \frac { (-1)^{n-1} (2n-3) (2n-5)\cdots 5\cdot 3\cdot 1}{ 2^{n} n! (2n+1)}x^{2n+1} } $$ We have: $$(2n-3)!! = \frac{(2n-2)!!}{(2n-2)!!}(2n-3)!! = \frac{(2n-2)!}{(2n-2)!!} =…
George
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complete the sequence: (8, 6, 2, ...)

I understand this is a weird question, but I think this could be a place in which I could find the answer. I'm trying to reprodice this image: with a java applet. I know that this image is a grid-Fresnel zone plate" but unfortunately I don't know…
nkint
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Problem showing a certain series converges

I'm trying to show the series ${\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}\sin\left(nx\right)}$ converges for all $x\in\left[0,2\pi\right]$. Using Dirchlet's Test it suffices to show that the series of partial sums of ${\displaystyle…
Serpahimz
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convergence $ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 2^n \cdot \left(\frac{n}{n+1}\right)^{n^2} $

How can I check convergence of $ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 2^n \cdot \left(\frac{n}{n+1}\right)^{n^2} $ ? If I want check necessary condition $u_n \rightarrow 0$ I need to do sth like that: $$ u_n = 2^n \cdot \left(\frac{n}{n+1}\right)^{n^2} = 2^n \cdot…
user617243
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A series where common ratio is a power

Sorry for rather ambiguous title, but I was not sure who to call it otherwise. So in arithmetic series we have the common ratio $r$ in the form of $+r$. i.e. $2,4,6,8...$ Geotmeric series we have a common ratio in the form $*r$, i.e.…
Scavenger23
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Sum of an infinite geometric series with squared powers

I know that for $|r|<1$ the infinite geometric series has an explicit value as $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} r^n =\frac{1}{1-r}$$ Does there exist a similar result for $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} r^{n^2}$$ I've seen some stuff on Jacobi-theta functions, but…
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Find the maximal $n$ satisfying $a_n \geq \frac{1}{10}$

Let $a_n$ be the $n$-th term of the following sequence $$\frac{1}{1},\frac{1}{4},\frac{3}{4},\frac{1}{9},\frac{3}{9},\frac{5}{9},\frac{1}{16},\frac{3}{16},\frac{5}{16},\frac{7}{16},\frac{1}{25},...$$ From what could I start resolving this…
Aster Zen
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Formula for series (or sequence?) of $n$ values where last in series is $x \times n_1$ and total is $y$.

I am a programmer, not a mathematician and I'm trying to solve a problem for scoring in my game. Please excuse my weak maths and lack of mathematical syntax, and sorry if this question has been asked before. Let's say we have a game level which…
jnt
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Sum of $ \frac{1}{1\cdot 3}+\frac{1}{1\cdot 3\cdot 5}+\frac{1}{1\cdot 3\cdot 5\cdot 7}+ \cdots$

Finding series sum of $$ \frac{1}{1\cdot 3}+\frac{1}{1\cdot 3\cdot 5}+\frac{1}{1\cdot 3\cdot 5\cdot 7}+\frac{1}{1\cdot 3\cdot 5\cdot 7\cdot 9}+ \cdots$$ Try: Let $\displaystyle a_{k}=\frac{1}{1\cdot 3\cdot 5\cdot 7\cdots (2k+1)}=\frac{2\cdot…
DXT
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Calculate the limit (Squeeze Theorem?)

I have to calculate the limit of this formula as $n\to \infty$. $$a_n = \frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}\bigl(\frac{1}{\sqrt{n+1}}+\cdots+\frac{1}{\sqrt{2n}}\bigl)$$ I tried the Squeeze Theorem, but I get something like…
user609637
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Does $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^n \left[e-\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)^n \right]$ converge absolutely?

Check whether the series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^n \left[e-\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)^n \right]$ converge absolutely? What I attempted:- If $a_n=(-1)^n \left[e-\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)^n \right]$, then by Leibnitz test $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_n$…
user440191
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Assuming that $|z|<1$, calculate: $\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}(n^2-3n+2){z^{n-1}}$

The answer is: $\frac{-2z^2}{(1-z)^{3}}$ When I do it, I get the answer without the minus sign. So far, I got: $$ \begin{split} \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}(n^2-3n+2)z^n &= \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}(n-1)(n-2)z^n \\ &= z^3 \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}(n-1)(n-2)z^{n-1} \\ &=…
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Study the convergence of the series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{e^n}{(1+\frac{1}{n})^{n^2}}$

I need to study the convergence of the series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{e^n}{(1+\frac{1}{n})^{n^2}}$. First, I was thinking of finding the limit: $\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{e^n}{(1+\frac{1}{n})^{n^2}}$ cause if we find that it is different then $0$ the…
Ghost
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Proof for $e^z = \lim \limits_{x \rightarrow \infty} \left( 1 + \frac{z}{x} \right)^x$

Q1: Could someone provide a proof for this equation (please focus on this question): $$e^z = \lim \limits_{x \rightarrow \infty} \left( 1 + \frac{z}{x} \right)^x$$ Q2: Is there any corelationn between above equation and the equation below (this…
71GA
  • 841
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Find solution of recurrence relation

What is the solution of the recurrence relation of $$x_n^2=x_{n-1}^2+6x_{n-2}^2+7^n$$ with $x_0=x_1=1$