Sequences and series problem

In summary, the homework equations state that if a geometric progression and an arithmetic progression with positive terms have a common ratio, then the logarithm of the difference of the two progressions is also in the common ratio.
  • #1
utkarshakash
Gold Member
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Homework Statement



Read this passage and then answer the questions that follow

We know that, if [itex]a_1,a_2,...,a_n[/itex] are in Harmonic Progression, then [itex]\frac{1}{a_1},\frac{1}{a_2}...,\frac{1}{a_n},[/itex] are in Arithmetic Progression and vice versa. If [itex]a_1,a_2,...,a_n[/itex] are in Arithmetic Progression with common difference d, then for any b(>0), the numbers [itex]b^{a_1},b^{a_2},b^{a_3},...,b^{a_n}[/itex] are in Geometric Progression with common ratio r, then for any base b(b>0), [itex]log_b a_1,log_b a_2,...,log_b a_n[/itex] are in Arithmetic Progression with common difference [itex]log_b r[/itex]

Q.1. Given a Geometric Progression and an Arithmetic Progression with positive terms [itex]a,a_1,a_2,...,a_n[/itex] and [itex]b, b_1, b_2,....,b_n[/itex]. The common ratio of the Geometric Progression is different from 1. Then there exists [itex]x \in R^+[/itex], such that [itex]log_x a_n-log_x a[/itex] is equal to

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


Let the common ratio of the given Geometric Progression be r.

[itex]r= \left( \frac{a_n}{a} \right) ^{1/n}[/itex]

Now from the last statement of the passage I can deduce that

For [itex]x \in R^+ \\
log_x a, log_x a_1,...,log_x a_n[/itex]
is in Arithmetic Progression with common difference (D) = [itex]log_x \left( \frac{a_n}{a} \right)^{1/n}[/itex]

Let the common difference of the given Arithmetic Progression(not the above one) be d.

[itex]d= \dfrac{b_n - b}{n}[/itex]

Now from the second statement of the passage I can deduce that

For [itex]x \in R^+ \\
x^b, x^{b_1},...,x^{b_n}[/itex]
is in Geometric Progression with common ratio (R) = [itex] x^{\frac{b_n - b}{n}}[/itex]

I have to find [itex]log_x \dfrac{a_n}{a} \\

nlogD=log_x \dfrac{a_n}{a}\\

n=\dfrac{logx}{logR} (b_n - b)[/itex]

Substituting the value of n from above into nlogD I get

[itex]\dfrac{logx}{logR} (b_n - b) logD[/itex]
 
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  • #2
utkarshakash said:
Then there exists [itex]x \in R^+[/itex], such that [itex]log_x a_n-log_x a[/itex] is equal to
Such that [itex]log_x a_n-log_x a[/itex] is equal to what?
 
  • #3
Millennial said:
Such that [itex]log_x a_n-log_x a[/itex] is equal to what?

That's what I have to find.
 
  • #4
In terms of what?
 
  • #5
Millennial said:
In terms of what?

OK I am giving you the options

a)a-b
b)[itex]a_n -b[/itex]
c)[itex]b_n - b[/itex]
d)[itex]a_n - b_n [/itex]
 
  • #6
Depending on your choice of x, you can make it equal to a lot of things. To be more precise:

[tex]\log_x(a_n)-\log_x(a)=\frac{\log(a_n)-\log(a)}{\log(x)}=\frac{\log(a_n/a)}{\log(x)}[/tex]

Also, the restriction [itex]x>0[/itex] has no implications because [itex]\log(0)[/itex] is already undefined.
 

1. What is a sequence?

A sequence is a list of numbers or objects that follow a specific pattern or rule. Each number or object in the sequence is called a term.

2. What is a series?

A series is the sum of the terms in a sequence. It is represented by the symbol ∑ (sigma) and is used to find the total value of a sequence.

3. What is the difference between an arithmetic and geometric sequence?

An arithmetic sequence has a constant difference between each term, while a geometric sequence has a constant ratio between each term. For example, in an arithmetic sequence of 2, 4, 6, 8, the difference between each term is 2. In a geometric sequence of 2, 6, 18, 54, the ratio between each term is 3.

4. How do you find the nth term of a sequence?

To find the nth term of a sequence, you must first identify the pattern or rule that the sequence follows. Then, you can use that pattern to find the missing term by plugging in the value of n into the formula. For example, if the sequence is 3, 6, 9, 12, the pattern is to add 3 to each term, so the formula would be 3n.

5. How do you determine if a series converges or diverges?

A series converges if the sum of its terms approaches a finite value as the number of terms increases. It diverges if the sum of its terms becomes infinitely large as the number of terms increases. There are various tests, such as the geometric series test and the integral test, that can be used to determine convergence or divergence.

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