erogol
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Can i define a sequence which starts with a2. term or i must define the first term a1 as well
The discussion revolves around whether a sequence can be defined starting from the second term (a2) without explicitly defining the first term (a1). Participants explore the implications of this on the definition of sequences and subsequences in mathematics.
Participants express differing views on whether a sequence can validly start from a2 without defining a1. The discussion remains unresolved, with competing interpretations of the definitions involved.
Participants reference the formal definitions of sequences and functions, highlighting potential limitations in understanding and applying these definitions correctly.
erogol said:Can i define a sequence which starts with a2. term or i must define the first term a1 as well
poutsos.A said:A sequence of real Nos is a function ,from the natural Nos N to the real Nos R.
But a function from N TO R IS according to the definition of a function a subset of NxR ,such that for all nεN ,there exists a unique xεR ,SUCH that (n,x) BELONGS to the function.
So if you ignore the 1st member ,strictly speaking you go against the definition of the sequence
Focus said:Not really, [itex]\{a_n\}_{n=1}^\infty \backslash \{a_1\}[/itex] is still a sequence, just take the map [itex]n \mapsto a_{n+1}[/itex]. It is perfectly well defined.
poutsos.A said:What you have written is a subsequence of the sequence {[tex]a_{n}[/tex]}.So if you start the sequence { [tex]a_{n}[/tex]} from the No 2 ,lets say , the subsequence will start from ,2 as well ,hence violating the definition of the sequence