Determine whether the sequence converges or diverges

  • Thread starter Thread starter dangish
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Sequence
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the convergence or divergence of various sequences and series, as well as analyzing their properties such as monotonicity and boundedness. The subject area includes sequences and series in calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different sequences and series, questioning their convergence and limits. Some participants suggest using convergence tests and evaluating limits to analyze the series. Others express uncertainty about the implications of limits and the definitions involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering various insights and references. Some guidance has been provided regarding convergence tests, but there is no explicit consensus on the outcomes of the sequences and series being discussed.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a lack of class notes and seeks reference material to catch up on the topic, indicating constraints in their understanding of the material.

dangish
Messages
72
Reaction score
0
Hey all,

University for me started last week, however I was unable to attend until now. I just e-mailed my professor and there is a quiz just next week and I have no notes and he will not give them to me. I'm wondering if anyone knows any good online sites that could help me catch up. Here are some of the questions to give you an idea of what I am looking for:

Question 1: Determine whether the sequence converges or diverges. If it converges, find the
limit.

(a) {1 + [(-1)^n]/2 }

(b) {1 + [(-1)^n]/3n }

(c) {sin(n)/n}

Question 2: Determine whether the sequence is increasing, decreasing or not monotonic. Is the sequences bounded? If the sequence is convergent, find its limit.

(a) { (sqrt(n)) / 1 + sqrt(n) }

(b) { 2 + 1/3^n }

Question 3: Determine whether the series is convergent or divergent. If it is convergent, find
its sum.

(a) \sum 4n+2 / 4n - 2

Any advice on some good reference material would be GREATLY appreciated.. Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org


For question three, just see what the summand tends to as n tends to infinity. If it doesn't tend to zero, your sum won't converge.
 


Wouldn't both the numerator and denominator go to infinity?
 


Yes, but that doesn't tell us much. For this one, you can rewrite the function as such:

\frac{4n+2}{4n-2} = \frac{4n-2+4}{4n-2} = 1 + \frac{4}{4n-2}

Try evaluating the limit from here.
 


So it is convergent? And it's sum is 1?
 


No, that's not the series. That's just the summand, the term in the series. You do know the limit test, right?

Limit test:
If an does not tend to 0 as n tends to infinity, then \sum a_n diverges.
 


Like I said, haven't been to class yet. I'll try and get some notes tomorrow, thanks for the help though I appreciate it man.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K