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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Limit of a particular series

Consider the series $a_n=1+\frac{2}{3}+\frac{4}{9}+...+\frac{2^n}{3^n}$. I need to find an upper bound (a value that is bigger than the series for every natural number n). I found that $a_n
Ghost
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Help calculating a series

I understand the process in calculating a simple series like this one $$\sum_{n=0}^4 2n$$ but I do not understand the steps to calculate a series like this one $$\sum_{n=1}^x n^2$$ I have an awesome calculator and know how to use it, so I know the…
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An interesting sequence limit

A sequence $\{a_i\}_{0}^{\infty}$ is defined as below: $a_0 = 1$, and for $i \geq 1$, let $a_i = \text{ The smallest integer j } > a_{i-1} \text{ such that for every k } \leq \lfloor \sqrt{j} \rfloor , a^{-1}_{j-k^2}\text{exists}$ One olympiad…
katana_0
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Upper bounds on the partial sums of a sequence of the from $a_{i+1} = \alpha^{n-i}a_i$.

Let $\alpha <1, k\le n$. Consider the sequence $$a_0 = 1, a_{i+1} = \alpha^{n-i} a_i.$$ I'm trying to upper bound the sum $$S(\alpha, n, k) := \sum_{i = 0}^k a_i.$$ Note that the sequence $\{a_i\}$ is dominated by a geometric sequence with the…
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Prove that recursive sequence is greater than 3/11

We just started learning sequences and my teacher gave us this problem that seems to be incredibly hard. I don't even know where to start. Question: The first term of the following sequence is…
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About divergence of sequence

Consider the sequence ${x_m}=sin(m)$ .I want to prove this sequence is divergent. So i consider the subsequence $x_{m_k}$ where the sequence of natural numbers ${m_k}$ is defined as $ m_1=90, m _{k+1}=360+m_k$ i.e we get subsequence…
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If $f_0(x)=e^x$ and define $f_{n+1}(x)=xf_n'(x)$, what is the exact value of $\sum_{n=0}^\infty f_n(1)/n!$

If $f_0(x)=e^x$ and define $f_{n+1}(x)=xf_n'(x)$, what is the exact value of $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty\frac{f_n(1)}{n!}$$ I tried finding general formula of $f_n(x)$ for $n$. But it is not of the form that i already know. For another way, i set…
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A series in which some terms are in AP and other terms in GP

In an increasing sequence of four positive integer, the first three terms are in AP, the last three terms are in GP and the fourth term exceed the first term by $30$, then the common difference of AP lying in the intervsl $[1,9]$ is: MY ATTEMPT: Let…
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What is $\sum_{k=-\infty}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^k}{x+(2k+1)}$?

Is there a closed form for the following?$$\sum_{k=-\infty}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^k}{x+(2k+1)}$$ I know that the non-sign-alternating sum for all integer k (i.e. $\sum \frac{1}{x+k}$)is $\pi cot(\pi x)$. But I am not able to use that result to get…
Srini
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Euler's transformation to derive that $\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^2}=\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{3}{n^2\binom{2n}{n}}$

According to the accepted answer of this question, we can apply Euler's series transformation to derive that $$\displaystyle{\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^2}=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{3}{n^2\binom{2n}{n}}}.$$ I am wondering, how can we do that? Can…
Στέλιος
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Mid level multiplication / sum.

My first item = 100. Each following item is = +100 (so my 5th item is worth 500) How do I find the sum total of items 21 to 57? ...You know other than having a large sheet with all the items and pulling = sum ( range)
helena4
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Prove that this sequence diverges to infinity

I have a question about the sequence $a_0=a_1=1$, and for all $n\geq 2$ : $a_{n}=2a_{n-1}-3a_{n-2}$. (https://oeis.org/A087455) How to prove that $|a_n|\to+\infty $ ? I know that there are other formulas, like…
Friedrich
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Find sum of series $\frac{1}{6} +\frac{5}{6\cdot12} +\frac{5\cdot8}{6\cdot12\cdot18} +\frac{5\cdot8\cdot11}{6\cdot12\cdot18\cdot24}+...$

How to find sum of above series $$\frac{1}{6} +\frac{5}{6\cdot12} +\frac{5\cdot8}{6\cdot12\cdot18} +\frac{5\cdot8\cdot11}{6\cdot12\cdot18\cdot24}+...$$ How to find sum of series I can find its convergence but not sum of series. Can anyone explain?
Ni TiSh
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Evaluating $\sum\limits_{k=0}^\infty n^{2^k}\prod\limits_{m=0}^k\frac1{n^{2^m}+1}$

I found this particular series in a book which asks to evaluate: $$S=\lim_{k \to \infty}\frac{n}{n+1}+\frac{n^2}{(n+1)(n^2+1)}+\frac{n^4}{(n+1)(n^2+1)(n^4+1)}+...+\frac{n^{2^k}}{(n+1)(n^2+1)...(n^{2^k}+1)}$$ which I believe is equal to $${\lim_{k…
LM2357
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