Do Cauchy sequences always converge?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of a sequence of complex numbers defined by the properties that their squares approach 1 and the differences between consecutive terms are bounded. Participants explore the implications of these conditions and seek to understand the convergence behavior of the sequence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the convergence of the sequence given that \( u_n^2 \rightarrow 1 \) and \( |u_{n+1} - u_n| < 1 \).
  • There is a suggestion that the condition \( u_{n+1} - u_n < 1 \) should be modified to \( |u_{n+1} - u_n| < 1 \) to be more meaningful in the context of complex numbers.
  • One participant proposes that for large \( n \), \( u_n \) must be close to either 1 or -1, based on the behavior of \( u_n^2 \) and the bounded differences.
  • Another participant discusses the need for a formal proof and suggests using a geometric approach to understand the convergence.
  • There are multiple mentions of the challenges in formalizing the proof, particularly in the context of complex numbers.
  • Hints are provided regarding the algebraic relationships between the terms of the sequence and their limits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the conditions for convergence. While some suggest that the sequence converges to either 1 or -1, others raise concerns about the applicability of certain arguments in the context of complex numbers. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views on the convergence behavior.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the interpretation of convergence in the complex plane and the need for a formal proof that addresses the nuances of complex analysis.

Calabi
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Hello evry body let be $(u_{n}) \in \mathbb{C}^{\matbb{N}}$
with $u_{n}^{2} \rightarrow 1$ and $\forall n \in \mathbb{N} (u_{n+1) - u_{n}) < 1$.
Why does this sequences converge please?

Thank you in advance and have a nice afternoon:oldbiggrin:.
 
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Calabi said:
Hello evry body let be $(u_{n}) \in \mathbb{C}^{\matbb{N}}$
with $u_{n}^{2} \rightarrow 1$ and $\forall n \in \mathbb{N} (u_{n+1) - u_{n}) < 1$.
Why does this sequences converge please?

Thank you in advance and have a nice afternoon:oldbiggrin:.

Why don't you fix the Latex?
 
PeroK said:
Why don't you fix the Latex?
Plus consider please whether the difference ##(u_{n+1} - u_{n}) < 1## shouldn't be better ##|u_{n+1} - u_{n}| < 1##
 
It would be better indeed. And how to put the latex here please?

Thank you in advance and have a good afternoon:oldbiggrin:.
 
Calabi said:
It would be better indeed. And how to put the latex here please?

Thank you in advance and have a good afternoon:oldbiggrin:.

You double your dollars!
 
PeroK said:
You double your dollars!
If it was that easy ...
 
Last edited:
So did anyone has a solution please?
 
Ok, I fixed Calabi's TeX-notation. See and learn...

"Hello evry body let be ##(u_{n}) \in \Bbb{C}^{\Bbb{N}}##
with ##u_{n}^{2} \rightarrow 1## and ##\forall n \in \Bbb{N}\,(u_{n+1}-u_{n})<1##.
Why does this sequences converge please?"

For large ##n##, ##u_n^2## is close to ##1##. What can you then say about ##u_n## for large ##n##? Can the sign of ##u_n## alter for large ##n##, considering that ##u_{n+1}-u_n<1##?
 
Calabi said:
So did anyone has a solution please?
It's good to see that the quality of the discussion in the technical math sections has reached a new high.
 
  • #10
i know what you mean but, in general, complex numbers have no "sign", so your nice hint needs a modified formulation.
 
  • #11
Hello every one sorry Kyrlov I should give what I search on this exercicse even if it's wrong,
so as $$u_{n}^{2} \rightarrow 1$$ we can say that $$\forall \epsilon > 0, \exists N \in \mathbb{N} / n > N \Rightarrow |u_{n}^{2} - 1| < \epsilon$$. As Erland said it could be a story of sign but we're in $$\mathbb{C}$$.
 
  • #12
Ah, OK, but in that case, the condition ##u_{n+1}-u_n<1## is meaningless, since order does not exist between complex numbers. Presumably, Calabi meant ##|u_{n+1}-u_n|<1##. If so, let us instead ask if the sign of the real part of ##u_n## can alter for large ##n##...
 
  • #13
Are the ##u_n##:s close to some particular set of numbers for large ##n##?
 
  • #14
Ther's 2 possible of numbers -1 or 1. Like the square of u converge in 1 and as $$|u_{n+1} - u_{n}| < 1$$ the term of $$u_{n}$$
are in one neighbourhood of 1 or -1 I see it but I can't say it good.
 
  • #15
Yes, if we choose small neighborhoods of ##1## and ##-1##, all ##u_n## is in one of them, not the other, for all sufficiently large ##n##, since otherwise we would have ##|u_{n+1}-u_n|\ge 1## for some ##n##. This holds for arbitrarily small neighborhoods of ##1## or ##-1##, so the sequence converges to ##1## or ##-1##. It just remains to make this argument formal.
 
  • #16
Yeah but it's this formalism I can't wright.
 
  • #17
Calabi said:
Yeah but it's this formalism I can't wright.
Try! How would you begin?
 
  • #18
We can do it in the absurd way : let suppose for exemple that $$\exists \epsilon > 0/ \forall N \in \matbb{N} \exists n > N / |u_{n} - 1| > \epsilon (1)$$. For this $$\epsilon > 0, \exists N \in \mathbb{N} / n > N \Rightarow |u_{n}^{2} - 1| < \epsilon $$.
For this N we can find n as in (1). For this n $$|u_{n+1} - u_{n}| < 1$$.
Hum.
I don't see the absurdity.
 
  • #19
Hmm, this might lead somewhere. What if you also consider the corresponding relation as your first one but for -1 instead of 1? Also, what if the ##\epsilon##:s you use are unequal, but perhaps related in some way?
 
  • #20
Calabi said:
Hello every one sorry Kyrlov I should give what I search on this exercicse even if it's wrong,
so as $$u_{n}^{2} \rightarrow 1$$ we can say that $$\forall \epsilon > 0, \exists N \in \mathbb{N} / n > N \Rightarrow |u_{n}^{2} - 1| < \epsilon$$. As Erland said it could be a story of sign but we're in $$\mathbb{C}$$.

Can you see why ##u_n## converges? If not, you'll never prove it using ##\epsilon##.

I'd draw a diagram for ##u_n^2## and try to see geometrically why ##u_n## must converge. Once you understand that, you can try to translate it into a formal ##\epsilon## proof.
 
  • #21
I made a proof : I whright it in french but the idea : for a big N I've got forall n > N $$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} < |u_{n}| < \sqrt{\frac{3}{2}$$. Then by recurrence I show that all the $$u_{n}$$ have a constant sign by using the hypothesis that $$|u_{n+1} - u_{n}| < 1$$.
So as $$\sqrt{u_{n}^{2}} = |u_{n}|$$ twoo case : if u is positive it convegre in 1 otherwise in -1.
That was for $$\mathbb{R}$$.
In $$\mathbb{C}$$ I can do a similar geometric prof.
 
  • #22
Calabi said:
I made a proof : I whright it in french but the idea : for a big N I've got forall n > N $$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} < |u_{n}| < \sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}$$. Then by recurrence I show that all the $$u_{n}$$ have a constant sign by using the hypothesis that $$|u_{n+1} - u_{n}| < 1$$.
So as $$\sqrt{u_{n}^{2}} = |u_{n}|$$ twoo case : if u is positive it convegre in 1 otherwise in -1.
That was for $$\mathbb{R}$$.
In $$\mathbb{C}$$ I can do a similar geometric prof.

Yes, you can use the same idea for complex numbers.

Hint: for complex numbers ##|u_n^2 - 1| = |u_n - 1||u_n + 1|##
 
  • #23
PeroK said:
Hint: for complex numbers |u2n−1|=|un−1||un+1|
And what you want to do with that please?
 
  • #24
Calabi said:
And what you want to do with that please?

That's the algebraic key to this problem.
 

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