Computing the Limit of a Power Series

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SUMMARY

The limit of the power series is computed as follows: $$\lim_{n\to +\infty}\dfrac{1^p+2^p+3^p+\cdots +n^p}{n^{p+1}} = \dfrac{1}{p+1}$$ for real numbers \( p \neq -1 \). The Stolz-Cesaro theorem is effectively utilized to derive this limit, alongside the interpretation of the limit as a Riemann sum for the function \( f(x) = x^p \) over the interval \([0,1]\). The integral $$\int_0^1 x^p \, dx$$ confirms the result.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of limits and asymptotic notation, specifically \( \mathcal{O} \) and \( o \).
  • Familiarity with the Stolz-Cesaro theorem for evaluating limits.
  • Knowledge of Riemann sums and their relation to definite integrals.
  • Basic calculus, particularly integration techniques for polynomial functions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Stolz-Cesaro theorem in detail to understand its applications in limit calculations.
  • Learn about Riemann sums and their convergence to definite integrals.
  • Explore asymptotic notation and its significance in mathematical analysis.
  • Practice computing limits of sequences and series using various techniques.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, calculus students, and anyone interested in advanced limit computations and series analysis will benefit from this discussion.

Julio1
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Compute $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to +\infty}\dfrac{1^p+2^p+3^p+\cdots +n^p}{n^{p+1}}.$
Hello!, how it can calculate this limit? Thanks :)
 
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I am not sure what techniques you are familiar with for calculating limits, but this seems to be a job for Stolz-Cesaro theorem :

$$\begin{aligned}\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{1^p + 2^p + \cdots + n^p}{n^{p+1}} &= \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{\left ( 1^p + 2^p + \cdots + (n+1)^p \right ) - \left( 1^p + 2^p + \cdots + n^p \right)}{(n+1)^{p+1} - n^{p+1}} \\ &= \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{(n+1)^p}{(n+1)^{p+1} - n^{p+1}} \\ & = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{(n+1)^p}{(p+1) \cdot n^p + \mathcal{O}(n^{p-1})} \\ &= \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{1}{p+1} \cdot \frac{1}{1+o(1)} = \boxed{\dfrac1{p+1}}\end{aligned}$$

Where $\mathcal{O}$ and $o$ are asymptotic notations. I am guessing that there might be some elementary way to do to this, so am interested in other solutions.
 
Last edited:
Julio said:
Compute $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to +\infty}\dfrac{1^p+2^p+3^p+\cdots +n^p}{n^{p+1}}.$
Hello!, how it can calculate this limit? Thanks :)

I'm assuming $p$ is a real number different from $-1$. The limit, which can be written

$$\lim_{n\to +\infty} \frac{1}{n}\sum_{k = 1}^n \left(\frac{k}{n}\right)^p,$$

is the limit of a sequence of Riemann sums for the function $f(x) = x^p$ over the interval $[0,1]$. So it has value

$$\int_0^1 x^p \, dx.$$

Compute the integral to get the result.
 

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