Does the convergence of {bn} to 0 guarantee the convergence of {anbn} to 0?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the convergence of the product of two sequences, {an} and {bn}, where {bn} converges to 0. It is established that if {an} is bounded, then the product sequence {anbn} converges to 0. The proof demonstrates that for a bounded sequence {an}, the limit of {anbn} approaches 0 as n approaches infinity. However, the discussion highlights that if {an} is unbounded, the product {anbn} may not converge to 0, exemplified by the sequences {an} = n² and {bn} = 1/n, which results in {anbn} = n not converging.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sequence convergence and limits
  • Knowledge of bounded and unbounded sequences
  • Familiarity with epsilon-delta definitions of limits
  • Basic proof techniques in real analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of bounded sequences in real analysis
  • Explore the epsilon-delta definition of limits in depth
  • Investigate examples of unbounded sequences and their limits
  • Learn about the implications of product limits in calculus
USEFUL FOR

Students of real analysis, mathematicians exploring sequence convergence, and educators teaching limit concepts in calculus.

sitia
Messages
25
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Consider sequences {an} and {bn}, where sequence {bn} converges to 0.
Is it true that sequence {anbn} converges to 0?



The Attempt at a Solution



Proof.
First I assumed (an) is bounded, and so there exists M > 0 such that |an| < M for all n 2
{1, 2, 3, . . .}. Moreover, since lim bn = 0, there exists N such that, for all n≥ N,
|bn − 0| <ε /M
or, equivalently, |bn| < ε/M.
Therefore, whenever n ≥ N, we have that
|anbn − 0| = |anbn| = |an||bn| ≤M|bn| < M(ε/M)=ε

Since the choice of  ε> 0 was arbitrary, this implies that lim(anbn) = 0.

However, I know that {anbn} can also not converge if {an} is not bounded. Can someone help with how to go about that part of hte proof?
Thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It obviously doesn't work when an is not bounded. I am understanding correctly that an does not converge to 0, right?
if so, just consider bn=1/n and an=n^2. an*bn=n does not convergen. Bam!
 
There isn't given any information on if {an} converges to 0 or not. Thanks
 

Similar threads

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