Do Cauchy Sequences Imply Convergent Differences?

Click For Summary
The discussion centers on whether Cauchy sequences imply convergent differences, with participants analyzing definitions and providing examples. A key point raised is the use of specific sequences, such as \(x_n = K\) and \(y_n = K + \frac{1}{n}\), to test the validity of the statement. It is clarified that the quantifier in the premise is existential, meaning that if one choice for \(K\) does not work, a larger value must be considered. The triangle inequality is suggested as a useful tool for bounding the sequences involved. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of careful selection of constants and the implications of the definitions in proving the desired result.
Bptrhp
Messages
8
Reaction score
4
Homework Statement
Let ##(x_n)## and ##(y_n)## be Cauchy sequences in ##\mathbb{R}## such as ##x_n-y_n\rightarrow 0##. Prove that if exists ##K>0## such as ##|x_n|\leq K,\forall \,n\in\mathbb{N}##, then there exists ##n_0\in\mathbb{N}## such as ##|y_n|\leq K, \forall \,n>n_0## .
Relevant Equations
##|x_n|\leq K,\forall \,n\in\mathbb{N}##
I've started by writing down the definitions, so we have

$$x_n-y_n\rightarrow 0\, \Rightarrow \, \forall w>0, \exists \, n_w\in\mathbb{N}:n>n_{w}\,\Rightarrow\,|x_n-y_n|<w $$
$$(x_n)\, \text{is Cauchy} \, \Rightarrow \,\forall w>0, \exists \, n_0\in\mathbb{N}:m,n>n_{0}\,\Rightarrow\,|x_m-x_n|<w $$
$$(y_n) \,\text{is Cauchy} \, \Rightarrow \,\forall w>0, \exists \, n_0\in\mathbb{N}:m,n>n_{0}\,\Rightarrow\,|y_m-y_n|<w $$

I tried using properties of the absolute value and the only vaguely useful result I got is ##|x_n-t_n|\leq C+|t_n|##. I can't see how to use this to prove the desired result.
Any hints? I appreciate any help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What about ##x_n=K## for all n, ##y_n = K+1/n##? It seems to prove the statement false. Is the inequality supposed to be strict?
 
What if ##x_n=1=K## and ##y_n=1+\dfrac{1}{n}##?
 
  • Like
Likes Office_Shredder
Office_Shredder said:
What about ##x_n=K## for all n, ##y_n = K+1/n##? It seems to prove the statement false. Is the inequality supposed to be strict?

fresh_42 said:
What if ##x_n=1=K## and ##y_n=1+\dfrac{1}{n}##?

Your example is not a counter-example: The quantifier in the premise is existential, so if K = 1 doesn't work you should take a larger value of K. In this case K \geq 2 and n_0 = 1 works.

@Bptrhp: You have a bound on |x_n| and you need to find a bound on |y_n|. So use the triangle inequality in the form <br /> \begin{align*}<br /> |y_n| &amp;= |y_n - x_n + x_n| \\ &amp;\leq |y_n - x_n| + |x_n|. \end{align*}
 
pasmith said:
Your example is not a counter-example: The quantifier in the premise is existential, so if K = 1 doesn't work you should take a larger value of K. In this case K \geq 2 and n_0 = 1 works.

@Bptrhp: You have a bound on |x_n| and you need to find a bound on |y_n|. So use the triangle inequality in the form <br /> \begin{align*}<br /> |y_n| &amp;= |y_n - x_n + x_n| \\ &amp;\leq |y_n - x_n| + |x_n|. \end{align*}
You don't get to pick K. It says if there exists ##K## such that ##K\geq |x_n|## then stuff about it is true. We gave an example of such a K, so the stuff about it should be true.
 
  • Like
Likes fresh_42
pasmith said:
Your example is not a counter-example: The quantifier in the premise is existential, so if K = 1 doesn't work you should take a larger value of K. In this case K \geq 2 and n_0 = 1 works.
I don't see that at all.
 
Office_Shredder said:
What about ##x_n=K## for all n, ##y_n = K+1/n##? It seems to prove the statement false. Is the inequality supposed to be strict?
Even with strict inequality we have: ##x_n = 1 - \frac 1 n## and ##y_n = 1 + \frac 1 n##.
 
  • Like
Likes mathwonk, fresh_42 and Office_Shredder

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K