Problems from today calculus test

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    Calculus Test
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two calculus problems related to limits and series convergence. The first problem involves evaluating a limit expression that includes logarithmic and trigonometric functions, while the second concerns the convergence of an alternating series involving the arctangent function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using Taylor series expansions to analyze the limit in the first problem. There are attempts to apply variable substitution and L'Hôpital's rule for evaluation. For the second problem, there is a focus on the conditions for convergence of the series, with references to convergence tests such as the Alternating Series test.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided approximations and suggested methods for approaching the first limit problem. There is acknowledgment of a mistake in the original poster's approach. The second problem has seen some agreement on the conditions for convergence, but no definitive resolution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of correct function expansions and the potential for variable substitutions in solving the problems. There is also mention of specific convergence criteria relevant to the series in question.

twoflower
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The exam is behind, but I'll have to repeat it at least once :-)

Here are two problems I wasn't able to solve:

[tex] \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} n^2 \left[ \log \left( 1 + \frac{1}{n} \right) - \sin \left( \frac{1}{n} \right) \right][/tex]

I tried to solve it using Taylor, but it didn't help me...

And the second one, which I didn't even try, because I didn't catch it:

Convergence and absolute convergence of this:

[tex] \sum_{n = 1}^{+\infty} (-1)^{n} \arctan \left( \sqrt{n^2 + 1} - \sqrt{n^2 - 1} \right)[/tex]

How should I do that? IMO it would be sufficient that the arctan goes to 0 and then the sum would converge (Leibniz's rule)...

Thank you.
 
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[tex]log(1+\epsilon)\approx\epsilon-\frac{\epsilon^{2}}{2},\epsilon<<1[/tex]
[tex]\sin\epsilon\approx\epsilon-\frac{\epsilon^{3}}{6},\epsilon<<1[/tex]
Use these approximations to show that your first expression tends to [tex]-\frac{1}{2}[/tex]
 
twoflower said:
[tex] \sum_{n = 1}^{+\infty} (-1)^{n} \arctan \left( \sqrt{n^2 + 1} - \sqrt{n^2 - 1} \right)[/tex]

How should I do that? IMO it would be sufficient that the arctan goes to 0 and then the sum would converge (Leibniz's rule)...

If [itex]\arctan \left( \sqrt{n^2 + 1} - \sqrt{n^2 - 1} \right)[/itex] decreases monotonically to zero, then the series converges. (It does)
This is by the convergence criterium of Dirichlet, or a special case of it caled the Alternating Series test. It's probably the same rule you call Leibniz' rule. (He's already got so many rules with his name).
 
arildno said:
[tex]log(1+\epsilon)\approx\epsilon-\frac{\epsilon^{2}}{2},\epsilon<<1[/tex]
[tex]\sin\epsilon\approx\epsilon-\frac{\epsilon^{3}}{6},\epsilon<<1[/tex]
Use these approximations to show that your first expression tends to [tex]-\frac{1}{2}[/tex]

Hmmm, I'm gallows-ripe. Now I found out why I wasn't able to solve this problem. In exercise book I have written the expansion of sin in a wrong way (without 'x' at the beginning)...
 
Last edited:
twoflower said:
The exam is behind, but I'll have to repeat it at least once :-)

Here are two problems I wasn't able to solve:

[tex] \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} n^2 \left[ \log \left( 1 + \frac{1}{n} \right) - \sin \left( \frac{1}{n} \right) \right][/tex]

I tried to solve it using Taylor, but it didn't help me...

For these type of problems I always find variable substitution helpful. I'll assume the log is log base e. Is that right?

Let a=1/n , so the limit becomes:

[tex] \lim_{a \rightarrow 0} \frac {\left[ \log \left( 1 + a \right) - \sin \left( a \right) \right]} {a^2}[/tex]

Use L'Hopital's rule twice, and you get the answer = -1/2
 
Hi...I found your first problem rather interesting because I encountered a "somewhat" similar problem (http://www.jee.iitb.ac.in/maths/images/MQNo_05.gif ).

Cheers
Vivek
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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