Proving an inequality with square roots

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on proving the inequalities related to square roots as presented in problem 13 from section I 4.7 of Apostol's Calculus Volume 1. The primary inequalities to prove are $$2(\sqrt{n+1}-\sqrt{n})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2(\sqrt{n}-\sqrt{n-1})$$ for $$n \geq 1$$, and subsequently, $$2\sqrt{m}-2<\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^m\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2\sqrt{m}-1$$ for $$m \geq 2$$. The user successfully proved the left inequality and received guidance on refining the right inequality by replacing $$\frac{1}{\sqrt{1}}<2(\sqrt{1}-\sqrt{0})$$ with $$\frac{1}{\sqrt{1}}\leqslant 1$$ to achieve the desired result.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus concepts, specifically inequalities involving square roots.
  • Familiarity with the notation and structure of mathematical proofs.
  • Knowledge of summation notation and its properties.
  • Experience with the content of Apostol's Calculus Volume 1, particularly section I 4.7.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the proof techniques for inequalities in calculus.
  • Study the properties of square roots and their applications in mathematical proofs.
  • Explore the concept of convergence in series, particularly related to $$\sum_{n=1}^m\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$$.
  • Examine additional problems from Apostol's Calculus to reinforce understanding of similar concepts.
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Students of calculus, mathematicians, and educators looking to deepen their understanding of inequalities involving square roots and their applications in summation and series. This discussion is particularly beneficial for those studying Apostol's Calculus Volume 1.

Ragnarok7
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This is problem 13 from section I 4.7 of Apostol's Calculus Volume 1:

Prove that $$2(\sqrt{n+1}-\sqrt{n})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2(\sqrt{n}-\sqrt{n-1})$$ if $$n\geq 1$$. Then use this to prove that $$2\sqrt{m}-2<\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^m\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2\sqrt{m}-1$$ if $$m\geq 2$$.

I have proved the first inequality, and using that I took $$n=1,2,\ldots,m$$ to get the following inequalities:

$$2(\sqrt{2}-\sqrt{1})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{1}}<2(\sqrt{1}-\sqrt{0})$$
$$2(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}<2(\sqrt{2}-\sqrt{1})$$
$$2(\sqrt{4}-\sqrt{3})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}<2(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})$$
$$\vdots$$
$$2(\sqrt{m+1}-\sqrt{m})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{m}}<2(\sqrt{m}-\sqrt{m-1})$$

Adding them, I get

$$2(\sqrt{m+1}-\sqrt{1})<\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^m\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2\sqrt{m}$$

and, since $$\sqrt{m+1}>\sqrt{m}$$, this implies

$$2\sqrt{m}-2<\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^m\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2\sqrt{m}$$

so that the left inequality is the desired one. However, I'm unsure how to get the right side. Does anyone have any hints? Thank you!
 
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Ragnarok said:
This is problem 13 from section I 4.7 of Apostol's Calculus Volume 1:

Prove that $$2(\sqrt{n+1}-\sqrt{n})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2(\sqrt{n}-\sqrt{n-1})$$ if $$n\geq 1$$. Then use this to prove that $$2\sqrt{m}-2<\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^m\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2\sqrt{m}-1$$ if $$m\geq 2$$.

I have proved the first inequality, and using that I took $$n=1,2,\ldots,m$$ to get the following inequalities:

$$2(\sqrt{2}-\sqrt{1})< \color{red}{\frac{1}{\sqrt{1}}<2(\sqrt{1}-\sqrt{0})}$$
$$2(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}<2(\sqrt{2}-\sqrt{1})$$
$$2(\sqrt{4}-\sqrt{3})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}<2(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})$$
$$\vdots$$
$$2(\sqrt{m+1}-\sqrt{m})<\frac{1}{\sqrt{m}}<2(\sqrt{m}-\sqrt{m-1})$$

Adding them, I get

$$2(\sqrt{m+1}-\sqrt{1})<\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^m\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2\sqrt{m}$$

and, since $$\sqrt{m+1}>\sqrt{m}$$, this implies

$$2\sqrt{m}-2<\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^m\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}<2\sqrt{m}$$

so that the left inequality is the desired one. However, I'm unsure how to get the right side. Does anyone have any hints? Thank you!
The inequality in red, $\frac{1}{\sqrt{1}}<2(\sqrt{1}-\sqrt{0})$, says that $1<2$. You could improve that if you replace it by $\frac{1}{\sqrt{1}}\leqslant 1$. Then when you add the right inequalities, you should get what you want.
 
Ah! Very nice. Thank you!
 

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