Infinite Series - decreasing/increasing

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of "increasing/decreasing" versus "strictly increasing/decreasing" sequences in the context of infinite series. Participants explore the definitions and implications of these terms, as well as their relationship to convergence types.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the difference between "increasing/decreasing" and "strictly increasing/decreasing," suggesting a possible analogy to conditional and absolute convergence.
  • One participant defines a sequence (a_n) as increasing if a_n+1 ≥ a_n for every n in N, and similarly defines decreasing sequences.
  • Another participant clarifies that "strictly increasing" means a_n+1 > a_n for all n in N, with a parallel definition for strictly decreasing.
  • There is a discussion about the notation, with participants confirming that the symbol ∀ means "for all" and ∃ means "there exists at least one."
  • One participant expresses confusion about the implications of "increasing" allowing for equality at some points, while "strictly increasing" does not.
  • A later reply reinforces the definitions, stating that increasing allows for some instances where a(n) = a(n+1), while strictly increasing does not permit equality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of increasing/decreasing and strictly increasing/decreasing sequences, but there is some uncertainty regarding the implications of these definitions in relation to equality in sequences.

Contextual Notes

There may be limitations in understanding the implications of equality in the context of increasing and strictly increasing sequences, as well as potential dependencies on definitions that are not fully explored in the discussion.

seroth
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What exactly is the difference between "increasing/decreasing" and "strictly increasing/decreasing" ? is it similar to conditional and absolute convergence?
 
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[tex](a_n)[/tex] is said to be increasing if for every [tex]n\in N[/tex] we have

[tex]a_n_+_1\geq a_n[/tex], the same if [tex](a_n)[/tex] is decreasing then:

[tex]a_n_+_1\leq a_n[/tex],

If [tex](a_n)[/tex] is strictly increasing than [tex]\forall n\in N[/tex]

[tex]a_n_+_1> a_n[/tex]. The same for decreasing.
 
that v symbol means "for all n " correct?
 
Yup, and along the same lines: [tex]\exists[/tex] means "there exists at least one".
 
curved E ish symbol= all real numers?

edit

so what it means that "increasing" or "decreasing" has a point where a(n) is equal to a(n+1)? but strictly inc/dec means that no matter what value 'n' is, a(n) will always be > or < a(n+1) correct?
 
Last edited:
Increasing means for all n [itex]a(n)\leq a(n+1)[/itex]. There might be some n's such that a(n)=a(n+1), but not necessarily.

Strictly increasing means for all n a(n)<a(n+1), you can never have equality.
 
thank you very much, i just needed clarification on that part of the equality
 

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