Can a sequence without a convergent subsequence have a limit of infinity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether a sequence that lacks a convergent subsequence can still have a limit of infinity. Participants explore this question in the context of sequences of positive real numbers and sequences that may include both positive and negative values.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant cites a question from Yahoo! Answers regarding a sequence of positive real numbers with no convergent subsequence, suggesting that it implies the limit is +∞.
  • Another participant argues that since each bounded sequence has a convergent subsequence, the absence of a convergent subsequence indicates that the sequence is unbounded, leading to the conclusion that the limit is +∞ for positive sequences and |xn| approaches +∞ for sequences with both positive and negative values.
  • A different participant challenges the assertion that an unbounded sequence necessarily converges to +∞, providing the example of the sequence |tan(n)|, which is unbounded but does not converge to +∞.
  • One participant acknowledges a misunderstanding related to monotonic sequences, which may have influenced their earlier reasoning.
  • Another participant states that if the limit is not +∞, it implies the existence of a bounded subsequence, which would contradict the original premise of no convergent subsequence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of unbounded sequences and the conditions under which a limit can be considered +∞. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments depend on the definitions of boundedness and convergence, and the examples provided highlight the complexity of the relationship between unbounded sequences and their limits.

Fernando Revilla
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I quote a question from Yahoo! Answers

Let (xn)n be a sequence of positive real numbers that has no convergent subsequence. Prove that lim(n→∞) x of n=+∞. What if the xn are permitted to take both positive and negative values?

I have given a link to the topic there so the OP can see my response.
 
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Each bounded sequence has a convergent subsequence, so $x_n$ has no convergent subsequence implies that $x_n$ is not bounded. In this case, $x_n\to +\infty$ if $x_n$ is a sequence of positive real numbers and $\left|x_n\right|\to +\infty$ if the $x_n$ are permitted to take both positive and negative values.
 
Fernando Revilla said:
Each bounded sequence has a convergent subsequence, so $x_n$ has no convergent subsequence implies that $x_n$ is not bounded. In this case, $x_n\to +\infty$ if $x_n$ is a sequence of positive real numbers and $\left|x_n\right|\to +\infty$...

The fact that the positive term sequence $x_{n}$ is unbounded doesn't mean that $\displaystyle \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} x_{n} = + \infty$. As example You can consider the sequence $\displaystyle x_{n} = |\tan n|,\ n \ge 1$...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
chisigma said:
The fact that the positive term sequence $x_{n}$ is unbounded doesn't mean that $\displaystyle \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} x_{n} = + \infty$. As example You can consider the sequence $\displaystyle x_{n} = |\tan n|,\ n \ge 1$...

Right, my fault, I was thinking about a monotic sequence.
 
The negation of $\lim_{n\to\infty}x_n=\infty$ says that $x_n$ has a bounded subsequence and therefore a convergent sub-subsequence.
 

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