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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How can we prove that $\displaystyle\sum_{i\in\mathbb N^+}1/i^2$ is convergence.(Elementary or advanced)

I've tried to apply compare test with $\displaystyle\sum_{i\in\mathbb N^+}1/2^i$ like this: $f(x)=\dfrac{\ln x}{x}$, and if we derivative this we would find that its extrem maximum point is $x=e$, therefore, for very big numbers we can say…
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Find the values of x for which the series $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(x-1)^n}{(-3)^n}$

Find the values of x for which the series $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(x-1)^n}{(-3)^n}$$ converge? Not really sure how to properly answer this question considering its edge terms. Here goes my attempt: $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}…
user349557
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Show that $\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\prod_{i=1}^{k}\frac{a-i}{i!} > -1$

I have an inifte series and want to show that for any $\alpha >0$ (not necessarily integer) $$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\prod_{i=1}^{k}\frac{\alpha-i}{i!} > -1$$ holds. A ratio test yields that the sum is convergent. Additionally, the individual summands…
Phillip
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If $\{a_n\}$ and $\{b_n\}$ converge, then $\{a_nb_n\}$ converges.

My solution: Case 1: $b \neq 0$ WTS: (1) $\exists a \in \mathbb R, \forall \epsilon > 0, \exists N_1 > 0$, such that for all $n \in \mathbb N$, if $n > N_1$, then $|a_n - a| < \dfrac{\epsilon}{2|b|}$ (2) $\exists b \in \mathbb R, \forall \epsilon >…
Tinler
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How can we effectively generate a set of evenly spaced points in a 2D region?

It is well known that the sequence $x_n=nm\phi\bmod m$ where $\phi={1+\sqrt 5\over2}$ is the golden ratio can be used to generate an arbitrary amount of evenly spaced points in the interval $[0,m)$. Is there a similar series that generates evenly…
FUZxxl
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General term of the series

Given the series: $$\sqrt c + \sqrt{c\sqrt c} + \sqrt{c\sqrt{c\sqrt c}} + \ldots$$ where $0 < c < 1$ What is the general term of this series?
richardaum
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Calculate the number of terms in geometric sequence

Given are the following geometric sequences: 13, 23.4, ... The common ratio is 1.8, so far so good. But how can I calculate the number of terms which are smaller then 9.6E13? The solution says 51. I have no clue. I'm looking for a hint to solve…
user38369
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Limit of a infinite series

$$\frac{2}{2} + \frac{2\cdot 5}{2\cdot 9} + \frac{2\cdot 5\cdot 10}{2\cdot 9\cdot 28} + \cdots + \frac{2\cdot 5\cdot 10 \cdots (n^2+1)}{2\cdot 9\cdot 28\cdots (n^3+1)}\tag1$$ For this series $(1)$, how would one go about applying the comparison test…
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If $f(n)$ be the integer closest to $\sqrt{n}.$ then value of $ \sum^{2016}_{k=1}\frac{1}{f(k)}$

If $f(n)$ be the integer closest to $\sqrt{n}.$ then value of $\displaystyle \sum^{2016}_{k=1}\frac{1}{f(k)}$ could some help me with ths, thanks
DXT
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Is $frac(n^{\sqrt{2}})$ dense in $[0,1]$?

Consider the sequence $$s_n:=frac(n^{\sqrt{2}})$$ $n=1,2,3,\cdots$ Is $s_n$ dense in $[0,1]$ ? The number $$12230575^{\sqrt{2}}$$ is almost an integer, but I do not know whether we can get arbitary close to an integer. And even this would not…
Peter
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If $a_1 = 2$, $a_2 = 7$, and $a_{n+1} = \frac{a^2_n}{a_{n-1}}$ rounded to the nearest integer, then every $a_n$ for $n\ge2$ is odd

A sequence ${a_i}$ is defined as follows: $a_1 = 2, a_2 = 7,$ $a_{n+1} =\left( \frac{a^2_n}{a_{n-1}} ~\text{rounded to the nearest integer}\right)$ For example, $a_3 ~\text{is}~ 49/2 = ~\text{round}(24.5), \text{or}~ 25$. Prove, for…
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Binoharmonic summation in sequence and series

Please consider this bino-harmonic summation:- nC0/a + nC0/a+d + nC0/ a+2d. . . . . . .nCn/a+nd I tried a lot but could not get anything any way all of it was failure..Now I am beginning to think that I am a real dumbass ,please help…
user411778
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The Formula to this Sequence Series

What is the formula for following sequence? $$\frac12 + \frac12 \cdot \frac34 + \frac12 \cdot \frac34 \cdot \frac56 + ... + \frac12 \cdot \frac34 \cdot \frac56 ... \frac{2n - 1}{2n}$$ This is a question from my Calculus class about sequences.
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show that a recursive sequence is decreasing

Please do check if my solution is correct. Consider the sequence $\{a_n\}$ defined recursively by $a_1 = \frac{3}{2}$ and $a_{n+1} = a_n^2 -2a_n +2, \quad n\ge 1.$ Show that the sequence is decreasing. Here is my attempt. It suffices to show that…
Jaynot
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Analytic Proof of alternating series

Having some problems figuring out the following proof. If we have a series $a_n$ that is both nonnegative and decreasing. Then if we consider the corresponding alternating series $$\sum (-1)^{n+1}a_n$$ I need to prove that the sequence of odd…
mse123
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