Can Calculus Tricks Simplify These Limit Problems?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on evaluating two limit problems involving logarithmic functions and summations. The first limit, \(\lim_{n\rightarrow 0}\frac{\log_{2}\sum_{k=1}^{2^n}\sqrt{k}}{n}\), is approximated by Mathematica to be 0.8527, despite the user's expectation of -∞ as \(n\) approaches 0. The second limit, \(\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}\frac{\log_{2}\sum_{k=1}^{2^n}\sqrt{k}}{n}\), yields a result of approximately 1.0397, which aligns with graphical analysis. The user seeks clarification on these results and mentions their background in single-variable calculus while currently studying sequences and series.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of limits in calculus
  • Familiarity with logarithmic functions
  • Basic knowledge of summation notation
  • Experience with Mathematica for computational verification
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the properties of logarithmic limits in calculus
  • Study the behavior of summations as \(n\) approaches infinity
  • Learn about the application of Mathematica for solving calculus problems
  • Investigate techniques for evaluating limits involving sequences and series
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Students of calculus, mathematicians interested in limit evaluation, and anyone using Mathematica for computational mathematics will benefit from this discussion.

amcavoy
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Can anyone help with these?

1. [tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow 0}\frac{\log_{2}\sum_{k=1}^{2^n}\sqrt{k}}{n}[/tex]

2. [tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow 0}\frac{\log_{2}\sum_{k=1}^{2^n}\sqrt{2k-1}}{n}[/tex]

Thanks for you help.
 
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Regarding just the first one:

Although I question this, Mathematica returns:

[tex]\mathop \lim\limits_{n\to 0}\frac{Ln[\sum_{k=1}^{2^n}\sqrt{k}]}{n}\approx 0.8527[/tex]

Seems to me that it should be [itex]-\infty[/itex]

Since once n gets below 1, the sum goes to just 1.

How about this also too?

[tex]\mathop \lim\limits_{n\to \infty}\frac{Ln[\sum_{k=1}^{2^n}\sqrt{k}]}{n}[/tex]

This one Mathematica returns 1.0397 which makes sense if you plot the values for a range of n, it seems to approach a value near this.

I'd like someone to explain these also.
 
I encountered these problems on another site, and was just interested in them. I know some single-variable calculus, but I am just working on sequences and series now, so I was wondering if anyone knew of a trick to get these done.

Thanks for your help.
 

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