Proving Divergence of $\cos(n)$ w/ Definition of Limits

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter alyafey22
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cos Divergence
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The sequence $\cos(n)$ diverges as proven through the definition of limits of sequences. The discussion establishes that $\cos(n)$ is dense in the interval [-1,1], which implies that it cannot converge to a single limit. The proof utilizes the lemma that states if $\theta$ is irrational, the set $\{n \theta \pmod{1}: n \in \mathbb{Z}\}$ is dense in [0,1], leading to the conclusion that $\cos(n)$ does not settle at any specific value.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of limits of sequences
  • Familiarity with the concept of density in real analysis
  • Knowledge of irrational numbers and their properties
  • Basic trigonometric functions and their continuity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of dense sets in real analysis
  • Explore the implications of irrational numbers in sequences
  • Learn about the continuity of trigonometric functions
  • Investigate other sequences and their convergence properties
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of real analysis, and anyone interested in the behavior of trigonometric sequences and their limits.

alyafey22
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
1,556
Reaction score
2
Can we prove using the definition of limits of sequences that $$\lim \, \cos(n) $$ diverges ?

I mean can we use a contradiction or show that two sub-sequences have a different limit ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ZaidAlyafey said:
Can we prove using the definition of limits of sequences that $$\lim \, \cos(n) $$ diverges ?

I mean can we use a contradiction or show that two sub-sequences have a different limit ?

A sequence $a_{n}$ that admits limit l, i.e. for an $\varepsilon > 0$ there exists an integer N so that for any n> N is $|a_{ n}-l| < \varepsilon$, converges. If l doesn't exist the sequence $a_{n}$ diverges... very simple concept?... yes, but... there are some little controversial about it...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
We will show that $\cos(n), n = 0, 1, 2, \dots$ is dense in [-1,1], so the sequence $\cos(n)$ cannot converge.

Lemma: If $\theta$ is irrational, then the set $\{n \theta \pmod{1}: n \in \mathbb{Z}\}$ is dense in [0,1].
Proof: Let $\epsilon > 0$, and choose $k$ so that $0 < 1/k < \epsilon$. Consider the $k+1$ distinct values $\{i \theta \pmod{1}: i = 0, 1, \dots ,k\}$ and the $k$ intervals $[0, 1/k), [1/k, 2/k), \dots [(k-1)/k, 1)$. Since there are $k+1$ values, each of which is in one of the $k$ intervals, by the pigeonhole principle one of the intervals must contain at least two of the values, say $i_1 \theta \pmod{1}$ and $i_2 \theta \pmod{1}$ with $i_2 < i_1$. Then $0 < (i_2 - i_1) \theta \pmod{1} < 1/k$, so the values $m (i_2 - i_1) \theta \pmod{1}, m = 0, 1, 2, \dots ,M$ for some $M$, split [0,1] into intervals of width less than $1/k$. Every point in [0,1] must lie in one of these intervals and must therefore be within $1/k$ of $m (i_2 - i_1) \theta \pmod{1}$ for some $m$. This proves the lemma.

Now let $x \in [0,1]$, and apply the lemma to the irrational number $1/(2 \pi)$. By the lemma, there is a sequence of integers $m_i$ and $n_i$, $i = 1, 2, 3, \dots$ such that
$$\frac{m_i}{2 \pi} + n_i \to x \text{ as } i \to \infty$$
Then
$$m_i + 2 \pi n_i \to 2 \pi x$$
so by continuity of $\cos(x)$,
$$\cos(m_i) = \cos(m_i + 2 \pi n_i) \to \cos(2 \pi x)$$
Since $x$ is arbitrary in [0,1], this shows $\cos(n)$ is dense in [-1,1].

[edit] I added a factor of $2 \pi$ in one of the equations above.[/edit]
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K