Does \( a_{n} \) Diverge to \(\infty\)?

Positronized
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Given that b_{n}\rightarrow\infty and \frac{a_{n}}{b_{n}}\rightarrow C (where C>0) as n\rightarrow\infty, prove that a_{n} must also diverge to \infty, that is, a_{n}\rightarrow\infty as n\rightarrow\infty

Homework Equations



As above.

The Attempt at a Solution



I could easily deduce that \left\{a_{n}\right\} cannot be bounded, otherwise the sequence of quotients will be null. Also, I deduced that \left\{a_{n}\right\} cannot diverge to -\infty as the limit of convergence cannot be positive in this case. However, I could not deduce that \left\{a_{n}\right\} must be unbounded BOTH above and below, and so I cannot rule out the possibility of oscillation, yet.

Originally I said if \left\{a_{n}\right\} oscillates AND also unbounded, then it is always possible to find a negative term no matter what the value of n is. Since \left\{b_{n}\right\} is always positive for large n, then it is always possible to find the term of \left\{\frac{a_{n}}{b_{n}}\right\} that is negative, therefore cannot converge to a positive limit. However it has become obvious that "unbounded" doesn't mean unbounded in both ways, i.e. sequences like {1,2,1,4,1,8,1,16,...} are unbounded and oscillating but will not give a negative term, so my argument isn't valid.

But apparently the easier approach is to use the epsilon definition, chosen the "right" epsilon and get the result directly without having to resort to proof by cases. I can't figure out what the "right" value is.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Don't worry, I've got it (after thinking about it for a long time) by setting epsilon=l/2
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
Back
Top