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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Rationals Approximated by a Fast Converging Series of Rationals

There have been various questions on this site about whether there is any upper limit to how fast a series sum of rational numbers can converge on another rational. With the right choice of particular series there appears to be no upper limit. The…
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To check whether given sequence is convergent or divergent?

Is the sequence $$a(n)=\frac{\sin{(3^{n})}}{\sin{(5^{n})}}$$ convergent or divergent? As $n$ tends to $\infty$, I am not getting which limit formula to apply. Any hint?
ogirkar
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absolute convergence of series and ultrafilters

Let $\mathcal F$ be a free ultrafilter on $\mathbb N=\{0,1,2,\dots\}$. Does there exist $a\in \ell^2$ such that $a|_F$ is not summable for every $F\in \mathcal F$?
ray
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How to find sum of this series $\sum_{0}^{\infty} \frac{(n!)^{2}x^{n}}{(2n)!}$

Actually I have no idea how to begin. I tried to represent it as a product of two series or as a sum of two series but have no result with this. Any idea ?
openspace
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Calculating the exponent of a series

I'm trying to solve for the variable $c$ in the equation $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty e^{nc} = 10$$ At first I've recognized this is a geometric series, and I know that if $\vert{r}\vert < 1$ the value of this series can be expressed by: $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty…
Howard P
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Is there a sequence in $\ell^1$ but not in $\ell^p$ for $p<1$?

I was wondering: is there a sequence of positive numbers $(a_n)$ such that $\sum a_n<\infty$ but for every $0
35T41
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Solve $n + n/2 + n/4 + n/8 + \dots$ up to $\log n$ terms

Solve $n + n/2 + n/4 + n/8 + \dots$ up to $\log n$ terms This looks like Harmonic series. But I couldn't find a formula to calculate the sum of the series up to $\log n$ terms. Can anyone solve it please.
Vishnu Vivek
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Showing a sequence converges from the definition of limit

I am having some trouble proving that this series converges to zero $b_n=\dfrac{n+5}{n^2-n-1}$, $n\geq 2$ directly from the definition of limit. My attempts have only left me with a lengthy, complicated form for $n$ in terms on $\epsilon$ so I must…
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Find $x-\frac{2x^3}{3}+\frac{x^5}{5}+\frac{x^7}{7}-\frac{2x^9}{9}+\cdots$

Find $$S=x-\frac{2x^3}{3}+\frac{x^5}{5}+\frac{x^7}{7}-\frac{2x^9}{9}+\frac{x^{11}}{11}+\cdots=\sum_{n=0}^\infty\frac{x^{6n+1}}{6n+1}-\frac{2x^{6n+3}}{6n+3}+\frac{x^{6n+5}}{6n+5}$$ I could not find Regular pattern but I tried to differentiate $S$…
Umesh shankar
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Is there any sequence $\{a_n:n\in \mathbb N\}$ with each non-zero terms s.t. $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_n=0$

Is there any sequence $\{a_n:n\in \mathbb N\}$ with each non-zero terms s.t. $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_n=0$? I'm finding an infinite linearly dependent set which has no finite linearly dependet subset. If I could find the above then I…
Mini_me
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How to prove or disprove - If $\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n$ and $\sum_{n=1}^\infty na_n$ both converge, then $\lim_{n\to\infty}n^2a_n=0$

My question is: whether the following is true or not, and how to prove in either case: $$\text{If}\quad\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n\quad\text{and}\quad\sum_{n=1}^\infty na_n\quad\text{both converge, then}\quad \lim_{n\to\infty}n^2a_n=0$$ There's no…
Kay K.
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How to prove $\displaystyle{\sum_{n=m+1}^\infty} \frac{1}{n^2}\leq \frac1m$

I need to prove the following inequality: $$\sum_{n=m+1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^2}\leq \frac1m$$ But I'm stuck with it. I found online geometric justifications for this but I'd really appreciate to see actual proof. Any hints?
jjepsuomi
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Solving $x\sqrt1+x^2\sqrt2+x^3\sqrt3+...+x^n\sqrt{n}+\dots=1$ with $x\in \mathbb{R}$ and $n\in \mathbb{N}$

Iterations on my calculator (up to $n=20$) give $x=0.438...$ which is very close to $x=\sin\left(\frac{13\pi}{90}\right)$ although $x$ does not actually converge to it. Can anyone provide hints as to how I can solve this problem?
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Find $a_n$, given $a_1=1$ and $a_{n+1} =a_n/4+3/4$

The sequence is defined of rational numbers $a_1,a_2,a_3,...$. Let $a_1=1$ and $a_{n+1}=a_n/4+3/4$. What are the numbers $a_1,a_2,a_3,...$ ? What I've done: $a_1=1$ for $n=1$ we have $a_{n+1}=a_2=a_1/4+3/4=1$ for $n=2$ we have…
Sirmimer
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Finding the $nth$ term of a sequence

Okay so I'm asking this quesion knowing a thing or two about sequences and general terms What is the sum of the series : $$1+\frac{1\cdot3}{6}+\frac{1\cdot3\cdot5}{6\cdot8}+\cdots$$ My Try: I tried calculating the general term $T_{n}$ for the…
Tanuj
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