Analyzing Convergent Series w/Supremum & Integral Norms

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter BSCowboy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Convergent Series
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of the series defined by the functions \( f_n(t) = \frac{t^n}{n} \) in the spaces \( \left(C[0,1], ||\cdot||_{\infty}\right) \) and \( \left(C[0,1], ||\cdot||_{1}\right) \). Participants explore the implications of convergence in these norms and the completeness of the space.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the convergence of the series in the integral norm, suggesting that the series converges based on their calculations but notes an instructor's claim that it does not.
  • Another participant requests clarification on what is meant to be converging, whether it is the partial sums of \( f_n(t) \) or \( f_n(t) \) itself as a sequence.
  • A participant later proposes that \( \|f_n\|_1 = \frac{1}{n(n+1)} \) converges to 0, but acknowledges that the space \( \left(C[0,1], ||\cdot||_{1}\right) \) is not complete, indicating that \( f_n(t) \) is Cauchy but the limit is not in \( C[0,1] \).
  • Another participant challenges the assertion that \( \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n(n+1)} \) converges to 0, stating that it does not converge to 0.
  • A further contribution clarifies that \( \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n(n+1)} \) actually sums to 1, providing a different perspective on the series' behavior.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the convergence of the series in the integral norm and the implications of completeness in the space. There is no consensus on whether the series converges or the nature of its limit.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of completeness in the space and the implications for convergence, but there are unresolved aspects regarding the convergence of the series and the interpretation of the limit.

BSCowboy
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
I have been thinking about this problem:
Determine whether the following series are convergent in \left(C[0,1],||\cdot ||_{\infty}\right) and \left(C[0,1],||\cdot ||_{1}\right).
when
f_n(t)=\frac{t^n}{n}

In the supremum norm, this seems pretty straightforward, but in the integral norm I am confused since,
\left\|\sum\frac{t^n}{n}\right\|_1\leq\sum\left\|\frac{t^n}{n}\right\|_1=\sum\int_0^1\frac{t^n}{n}dt=\sum\left[\frac{t^{n+1}}{n^2+n}\right]_0^1=\sum\frac{1}{n^2+n}<\sum\frac{1}{n^2}
and, I think this converges as n\rightarrow\infty, but our instructor said this did not converge, or maybe I heard him incorrectly. So, does this converge? He asked us to show the series is Cauchy and that the limit is not in the space as well. What am I missing?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Could you be more precise as to what is supposed to be converging to what? Partial sums of fn(t) or fn(t) itself as a sequence.
 
Actually, I think I might have figured it out:
f_n(t)=\frac{t^n}{n} \text{ in } \left(C[0,1],\|\cdot\|_1\right)

\|f_n\|_1=\int_0^1f_n(t)dt=\frac{1}{n(n+1)} \text{ and } \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n(n+1)}\rightarrow 0

But, because the space \left(C[0,1],\|\cdot\|_1\right) is not complete all we know is that f_n(t) is Cauchy. I was missing the part about the space being complete.
Also, you can see that limit is not an element of C[0,1].
 
<br /> \sum_{n=1}^\infty {\frac 1 {n(n+1)} \not \to 0<br />

but

<br /> \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac 1 {n(n+1)} \to 0<br />
 
Also \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n(n+1)} = \sum_{n=1}^\infty \left[ \frac{1}{n} - \frac{1}{n+1} \right] = 1
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
6K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K