# showing the sum of convergent and divergent sequence is divergent

by k3k3
Tags: convergent, divergent, sequence, showing
 P: 78 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data Show that the sum of a convrgent sequence and a divergent sequence must be a divergent sequence. What can you say about the sum of two divergent sequences? 2. Relevant equations A theorem in the book states: Let {a_n} converge to a and {b_n} converge to b, then the sequence {a_n+b_n} converges to a+b Definition of convergent: A sequence {a_n} converges to a number L if for each epsilon > 0 there exists a positive integer N such that |a_n-L| < epsilon for all n ≥ N. The number L is called the limit of the sequence. The sequence {a_n} converges iuf there exists a number L such that {a_n} converges to L. The sequence {x_n} diverges if it does not converge. 3. The attempt at a solution I think I made this too simple and overlooked something... Here is my attempt. Let {x_n} be a sequence that converges to x. Let {y_n} be a divergent sequence. Suppose {x_n+y_n} is a convergent sequence. By the theorem in the book, this implies that {y_n} converges, but {y_n} diverges. Hence, the sum must be divergent. What can you say about the sum of two divergent sequences? Their sum is divergent.
Mentor
P: 16,633
 Quote by k3k3 By the theorem in the book, this implies that {y_n} converges
How does that follow from the theorem in the book?? What do you take as a_n and b_n??

 What can you say about the sum of two divergent sequences? Their sum is divergent.
Not necessarily.
P: 78
 Quote by micromass How does that follow from the theorem in the book?? What do you take as a_n and b_n??
If we assume that the sum of the convergent sequence and divergent sequence is convergent, and use that the theorem the book states, both sequences must be convergent. There should be some number that {y_n} converges to but there isn't, so it can't be.

Mentor
P: 16,633

## showing the sum of convergent and divergent sequence is divergent

 Quote by k3k3 If we assume that the sum of the convergent sequence and divergent sequence is convergent, and use that the theorem the book states, both sequences must be convergent. There should be some number that {y_n} converges to but there isn't, so it can't be.
Yes, but what do you take as a_n and b_n??
P: 78
 Quote by micromass Yes, but what do you take as a_n and b_n??
{x_n} is one of them and I was wanting to show that {y_n} is neither.
P: 427
 Let {a_n} converge to a and {b_n} converge to b, then the sequence {a_n+b_n} converges to a+b
This is a one way implication. It does not imply that if the sum is convergent then the two initial series are convergent. Note though, that the difference between two convergent series is convergent.
 P: 78 Would it be safe to put both sequences on top of each other? Since they are sequences, they are in 1-1 correspondence with the natural numbers. So {x_n+y_n}=x_1,y_1,...,x_n,y_n,... If {x_n} converges to x, but {y_n} converges to nothing, the {y_n} terms are what break the sequence from converging.

 Related Discussions Calculus & Beyond Homework 7 Calculus 5 Calculus & Beyond Homework 11 Calculus & Beyond Homework 0 Calculus & Beyond Homework 2