P-series .... Sohrab, Proposition 2.3.12 .... ....

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the proof of Proposition 2.3.12 from Houshang H. Sohrab's "Basic Real Analysis," specifically focusing on the condition that if \( p \leq 1 \), then \( \frac{1}{n^p} \geq \frac{1}{n} \) for all \( n \in \mathbb{N} \). Participants are seeking clarification and a rigorous demonstration of this inequality.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Peter questions the truth of the statement that if \( p \leq 1 \), then \( \frac{1}{n^p} \geq \frac{1}{n} \) for all \( n \in \mathbb{N} \), asking for a demonstration of this claim.
  • Olinguito suggests that if \( p \leq 1 \), then \( q = p - 1 < 0 \), leading to the conclusion that \( n^q \leq 1 \) for positive integers \( n \).
  • Peter expresses confusion over Olinguito's explanation and requests more details on the reasoning.
  • Olinguito reiterates that if \( q \) is negative, then \( n^q = e^{q \ln n} \leq 1 \) holds for any positive integer \( n \).
  • Peter acknowledges the plausibility of the statement but seeks a formal and rigorous proof, particularly for values of \( q \) in the range \( -1 < q < 0 \).
  • Peter later realizes that \( n^q < 1 \) implies \( \frac{1}{n^p} \geq \frac{1}{n} \) for all \( n \in \mathbb{N} \), finding the reasoning straightforward but still expresses some uncertainty.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the formal proof of the inequality. There are multiple viewpoints on how to rigorously demonstrate the claim, and some uncertainty remains regarding the implications of negative values of \( q \).

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the implications of negative exponents and the need for a rigorous proof, indicating that assumptions about the behavior of \( n^q \) for negative \( q \) are not fully resolved.

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I am reading Houshang H. Sohrab's book: "Basic Real Analysis" (Second Edition).

I am focused on Chapter 2: Sequences and Series of Real Numbers ... ...

I need help with an aspect of the proof of Proposition 2.3.12 ...

Proposition 2.3.12 and its proof read as follows:

View attachment 9051
In the above proof by Sohrab we read the following:

" ... ... Now if $$p \leq 1$$, then $$1 / n^p \geq 1 / n \ \forall \ n \in \mathbb{N}$$ ... "My question is ... how do we know this is true ... ?

Can someone please demonstrate how to prove that if $$p \leq 1$$, then $$1 / n^p \geq 1 / n \ \forall \ n \in \mathbb{N}$$ ...
Help will be much appreciated ...

Peter
 

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Peter said:
" ... ... Now if $$p \leq 1$$, then $$1 / n^p \geq 1 / n \ \forall \ n \in \mathbb{N}$$ ... "My question is ... how do we know this is true ... ?

Can someone please demonstrate how to prove that if $$p \leq 1$$, then $$1 / n^p \geq 1 / n \ \forall \ n \in \mathbb{N}$$ ...

If $p\le1$ then $q=p-1<0$ and so $n^q\le1$.
 
Olinguito said:
If $p\le1$ then $q=p-1<0$ and so $n^q\le1$.

Thanks for the reply Olinguito ...... but ... I do not follow ... can you give some more details please ...Peter
 
If $q$ is negative, then $n^q=e^{q\ln n}\le1$ for any positive integer $n$, is that not so?
 
Olinguito said:
If $q$ is negative, then $n^q=e^{q\ln n}\le1$ for any positive integer $n$, is that not so?
Hi Olinguito ...

It seems plausible that if $$q \lt 0$$ then $$n^q \lt 1$$ ... but how do we (formally and rigorously) prove it ... especially worrying, intuitively speaking, are those values $$-1 \lt q \lt 0$$ ...

... and then how do we demonstrate(formally and rigorously) that $$n^q \lt 1$$ implies $$1 / n^p \geq 1 / n \ \forall \ n \in \mathbb{N}$$ ..*** EDIT *** Can now see that $$n^q \lt 1$$ implies $$1 / n^p \geq 1 / n \ \forall \ n \in \mathbb{N}$$ ... indeed quite straightforward ... getting late here in Tasmania ...:(...
Sorry if I'm being a bit slow ...

Peter
 
Last edited:

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