Proving the Cauchy Criterion for Sum of Sequences

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    Cauchy Sequence
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that the sum of two Cauchy sequences is also a Cauchy sequence. The original poster presents an argument using the definition of Cauchy sequences and explores the implications of their properties.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to demonstrate the proof by manipulating the inequalities associated with Cauchy sequences. Some participants question the notation used for subscripts and suggest a more streamlined approach.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes positive feedback on the original poster's method, with one participant affirming the correctness of the approach while noting a minor issue with notation. There appears to be a productive exchange regarding the proof structure.

Contextual Notes

No specific constraints or assumptions are noted, but the discussion is framed within the context of formal mathematical proof and definitions related to Cauchy sequences.

1800bigk
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How would one prove that the sum of 2 cauchy sequences is cauchy? I said let e>0 and take 2 arbitrary cauchy sequences then
|Sn - St|<e/2 whenever n,t>N1 and |St - Sm|<e/2 whenever t,m >N2.

So

|Sn - Sm|=|Sn - St + St - Sm|<= |Sn - St|+|St - Sm|< e/2 + e/2 <= e

So n,m>max{N1, N2} imples |Sn - Sm|<e thus cauchy

Am I close or way off?
 
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The method looks perfect to me.

However, a slight issue with your subscripts. When I did this problem I only needed two subscripts. Observe:

Take two arbitrary Cauchy sequences [itex]\{x_n\}[/itex] and [itex]\{y_n\}[/itex]. Then for any [itex]\epsilon > 0[/itex] there exists [itex]N_1 \in \mathbb{N}[/itex] such that for any [itex]n,m \geq N_1[/itex] we have

[tex] |x_n - x_m| < \frac{\epsilon}{2}[/tex]

and there also exists an [itex]N_2 \in \mathbb{N}[/itex] such that for any [itex]n,m \geq N_2[/itex] we have

[tex] |y_n - y_m| < \frac{\epsilon}{2}[/tex]

Then, as you said, choose [itex]N = \max\{N_1,N_2\}[/itex]. Then for any [itex]n,m \geq N[/itex] we have

[tex]|(x_n + y_n) - (x_m - y_m)| = |(x_n - x_m) + (y_n - y_m)| \leq |x_n-x_m| + |y_n - y_m| < \frac{\epsilon}{2} + \frac{\epsilon}{2} = \epsilon[/tex]

Therefore [itex]\{x_n + y_n\}[/itex] is a Cauchy sequence. [itex]\square[/itex]
 
thank you!
 

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