# Infinite Sum

1. Oct 5, 2012

### fderingoz

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Is the proposition

$\sum^{\infty}_{n=1}$|x$_{n}$|=0 ⇔$\forall$n$\in$IN x$_{n}$=0

true? If it is true how can we prove that ?
2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
I proved the $\Leftarrow$ side of proposition but i could not prove the $\Rightarrow$ side of proposition.

2. Oct 5, 2012

### clamtrox

Is it not true that $\sum_n |x_n| > x_m$ for all m?

3. Oct 5, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

Is this what you're trying to prove?
$$\sum^{\infty}_{n=1}|x_{n}|= 0 \iff \forall n \in Z,~ x_{n} = 0$$

I wasn't sure what you meant by IN. Also, one symbol you used (⇔) renders as a box in my browser.
Edit: Now it's showing up. That's odd, it didn't before.

Tip: Use one pair of tex or itex tags for the whole expression, rather than a whole bunch of them.

Last edited: Oct 5, 2012
4. Oct 5, 2012

### fderingoz

Mark44

The proposition which i want to prove is exactly the proposition which you write. I meant natural numbers by IN. Thanks for your suggestions.

5. Oct 5, 2012

### Dick

Try a proof by contradiction. Assume one of the a's isn't zero.

6. Oct 11, 2012

### fderingoz

$\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty}|x_{n}|=0\Rightarrow\lim \limits_{n\rightarrow\infty}\sum\limits_{k=1}^{n}|x_{k}|=0$. Since $s_{n}= \sum\limits_{k=1}^{n}|x_{k}|$ is an increasing sequence it can converge only its supremum. So $\sup\limits_{n}s_{n}=0$. Thus $\forall n,\, 0\leq s_{n} = \sum\limits_{k=1}^{n}|x_{k}|\leq 0$ which means $\forall n,\, x_{n}=0$.

I made this proof. What do you think is there any mistake in this proof ?