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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Inconclusiveness of Ratio Test

When using the Ratio Test, having $$\limsup_{n\rightarrow\infty}\left|\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}\right| > 1$$ is inconclusive. However, I'm having trouble imagining how such a series $\sum a_n$ could possibly converge. Is it because when examining the…
angryavian
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Help proving convergence of this series

I'm interested in finding conditions about the convergence of a series. I have an increasing succession $\{a_n\}$. The elements of $\{a_n\}$ are positive real numbers. I want to know the conditions where…
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find the sum of the alternating series

How to find the sum of the infinite series $$\frac{1}{12}-\frac{1\cdot 4}{12 \cdot 18 } + \frac{1\cdot 4\cdot 7}{12\cdot 18\cdot 24} - \frac{1 \cdot 4 \cdot 7\cdot 10}{12 \cdot 18 \cdot 24 \cdot 30}+...$$ I understood the answer posted in Yahoo…
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Finding Sum of $\frac{1}{4!}+\frac{4!}{8!}+\frac{8!}{12!}+\frac{12!}{16!}+\cdots \cdots \cdots \infty$

Finding Sum of $$\frac{1}{4!}+\frac{4!}{8!}+\frac{8!}{12!}+\frac{12!}{16!}+\cdots \cdots \cdots \infty\; \bf{terms}$$ Try: Writting it as…
DXT
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prove the divergence

How to show that the following series is divergent? $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{4^n (n!)^2}{(2n)!}.$$ Stirling's approximation easily implies that the series is equivalent to $\sum \sqrt{n},$ hence diverges. Can we solve it without using this…
Mathmath
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Sum of two recursive sequences as a recursive sequence

Suppose I have two sequences $x_n$ and $y_n$ defined by: $$ x_n = a_1 x_{n-1} + a_2 x_{n-2} + ... = \sum_{p=1}^{N_x} a_p x_{n-p} $$ and $$ y_n = b_1 y_{n-1} + b_2 y_{n-2} + ... = \sum_{p=1}^{N_y} b_p y_{n-p} $$ Now let $ z_n = x_n + y_n $. Is…
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For what value(s) of a does $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{n^{5a} + 3n^a}{n^{2a}}$ converge?

If I split the fraction into two, I get $n^{3a} + \frac{3}{n^{a}}$. If $a >0$, then term #1 would be very large, and term #2 would be very small. If $a < 0$, term #1 would be very small, and term #2 would be very large. And if $a = 0$, the limit of…
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Does any series diverge more slowly than the harmonic series?

Sorry if this is too simple of a question. Let $S_n = \sum \limits _{k=0} ^{n} \dfrac{1}{k}$. For another sequence $\{x_k\}$ define $S'_n = \sum \limits _{k=0} ^{n} x_k$. Is it possible that $S'_n$ diverges and $ lim _{n \rightarrow \infty}…
user253970
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Formula for the sequence $4, 10, 16, 22, 25, 34 ,\ldots$

Given the sequence $4, 10, 16, 22, 25, 34,\ldots$ how can I derive a formula for it? Hint: Those numbers appear when I multiply the results of a given function in ascending order. This function is: $$f(n) = 3n + 2$$ for $n=0,1,2,3,4, ... $ For…
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Convergence of a spiral in $\mathbb{C}$

Does the series $$\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{i^k}{k!}$$converge, and if so, what is the value of it?
Meow
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Proving $\sum_{n=1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n\sqrt{n+2}}<2$ without calculus

I would like to prove the following inequality without using calculus : $$ \sum_{n=1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n\sqrt{n+2}}<2 $$ Any hint? Thank you very much!
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Show that $a_n=\sum\limits_{k={n+1}}^{2n+1}\frac{1}{k}$ converges to $\frac{1}{2}$ if $n \to \infty$

Could you check my calculation please, I got the following result: $1-\frac{1}{2}\frac{n}{n+1}\lt\sum_{k={n+1}}^{2n+1}\frac{1}{k}\lt1$ where $n=1,2 ....\to\infty$
JV.Stalker
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Computing $\sum_{n=1}^ \infty n^2 \cdot \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^n$

I've been dealing with the following series for a while now, without real progress. $$\sum_{n=1}^ \infty n^2 \cdot \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^n$$ After using WolframAlpha, I know it converges to $30$, but I can't see how to calculate it by myself. Any…
GalAbra
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Convergence of the series $\sum\limits_{k=1}^{\infty}\left(\sin\frac{1}{k}-\arctan\frac{1}{k}\right)$

I am having problems showing either convergence or divergence of the series mentioned in the heading. I've tried all techniques which I know of, divergence-test, ratio-test, limit comparison-test but I have been unable to solve it. I have however…
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Showing $\sum\limits_{n = 1}^∞\log(1+(-1)^{n-1}\frac{1}{n})$ is convergent

Show that $$\sum_{n = 1}^\infty \log\left(1+(-1)^{n-1}\frac{1}{n}\right)$$ converges. I want to say that the convergence/divergence of this series is equivalent to the convergence/divergence of $$\sum(-1)^{n-1}\frac{1}{n}.$$ Without the sign term I…
user136592
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