# Proof that lim sup cos(n) is 1

1. Jul 3, 2012

### tt2348

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

Prove that the lim sup cos(n)=1

2. Relevant equations

given any $α\in\mathbb{R}-\mathbb{Q} , \exists P_n,Q_n\in\mathbb{N}.\ni.\frac{P_n}{Q_n} \rightarrow {a}$ and by definition, $\frac{1}{Q_n} \rightarrow 0$

Also, $cos^{2}(x)=\frac{1+cos(2x)}{2}$

My attempt

I first consider $lim\:sup\:cos^{2}(n)$
We know that $\exists P_n,Q_n\in\mathbb{N}.\ni.\frac{P_n}{Q_n} \rightarrow {\pi}$ which means $\forall \epsilon>0 \: \exists{N} \: .\ni. \forall{n}>N, \: |\frac{P_n}{Q_n}-\pi|<\epsilon$
pick $N.\ni.\:\epsilon<\frac{1}{Q_{n}^2}$
So it follows that $|\frac{P_n}{Q_n}-\pi|<\frac{1}{Q_{n}^2}$
and therefore $|P_n-Q_n\pi|<\frac{1}{Q_n}$, am I allowed to make assume by continuity that $|cos^{2}(P_n)-cos^{2}(Q_n\pi)|=|cos^{2}(P_n)-1|<ε$ and since $P_k = a_{n_{k}}$ where $a_n=n$?

2. Jul 3, 2012

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Why would you do all of that? You know that $cos(x)\le 1$ for all x and that cos(0)= 1. Therefore the maximum value of cos(x) is 1 and so is "lim sup".

(Strictly speaking "lim sup" is defined for sets, not functions, but I assume that by "lim sup cos(x)" you mean "lim sup {y| y= cos(x) for some x}".)

3. Jul 3, 2012

### tt2348

It's not for a function.... but the sequence cos(n)
where n=1,2,3... and so on
obviously I know that cosine is max at 1, but i have to prove that the lim sup is 1 over natural numbers

4. Jul 3, 2012

### tt2348

to clarify, I need to show that
$\stackrel{limit}{N \rightarrow{\infty}}\:sup\left\{cos(n):n\in\mathbb{N} \wedge n>N\right\}=1$

5. Jul 3, 2012

### tt2348

also.... having a maximum value of 1 at 0 is not the same as having the lim sup being 1...
max value of 1/n is 1 (n=1)... but the lim sup {1/n:n is a natural number and n>N}=0

6. Jul 3, 2012

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Yes, now that I see that it is the limit of hte sequence, not the function, you are correct.

7. Jul 3, 2012

### tt2348

but as far as my proof, is it a correct assumption?