Proving the Convergence of Sequence a_n to a: How to Show Unique Partial Limits?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the convergence of a sequence defined as alternating elements from two converging sequences, specifically addressing how to demonstrate that this sequence has a unique partial limit that converges to a specified value.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that they need to show the sequence \( a_n \), formed from elements of sequences \( x_n \) and \( y_n \) that both converge to \( a \), has a unique partial limit.
  • The same participant notes that while subsequences taken from even and odd indices converge to \( a \), they seek to prove this holds for all subsequences.
  • Another participant suggests that since \( x_n \) and \( y_n \) converge to \( a \), for any \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exist indices \( N_1 \) and \( N_2 \) such that for \( n > N_1 \) and \( n > N_2 \), the inequalities \( |x_n - a| < \epsilon \) and \( |y_n - a| < \epsilon \) hold.
  • This participant proposes taking \( N = \max(N_1, N_2) \) to ensure that both conditions are satisfied for \( a_n \).
  • The original poster acknowledges this reasoning and concludes that since \( a_n \) equals either \( x_n \) or \( y_n \), it follows that \( a_n \) also converges to \( a \).
  • A later reply confirms the correctness of this reasoning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to show that the sequence converges to \( a \) based on the convergence of the individual sequences, but the initial concern about proving the uniqueness of the partial limit remains a point of exploration.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the initial query about demonstrating the uniqueness of the partial limit for all subsequences, leaving some assumptions and conditions unaddressed.

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i have that lim x_n=lim y_n=a
and we have the sequence (x1,y1,x2,y2,...)
i need to show that this sequence (let's call it a_n) converges to a.

well in order to prove it i know that if a_n has a unique partial limit then it converges to it to it, but how do i show here that it has a unique partial limit?
i mean if we take the subsequences in the even places or the odd places then obviously those subsequences converges to the same a, but i need to show this is true for every subsequence, how to do it?
thanks in advance.
 
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loop quantum gravity said:
i have that lim x_n=lim y_n=a
and we have the sequence (x1,y1,x2,y2,...)
i need to show that this sequence (let's call it a_n) converges to a.

well in order to prove it i know that if a_n has a unique partial limit then it converges to it to it, but how do i show here that it has a unique partial limit?
i mean if we take the subsequences in the even places or the odd places then obviously those subsequences converges to the same a, but i need to show this is true for every subsequence, how to do it?
thanks in advance.
I think you are making too much of this. Since xn converges to a, given [itex]\epsilon> 0[/itex] there exist N1 such that if n> N1 then [itex]|x_n-a|< \epsilon[/itex]. Since yn converges to a, given [itex]\epsilon> 0[/itex] there exist N2 such that if n> N1 then [itex]|y_n-a|< \epsilon[/itex].

What happens if you take N= max(N1, N2)?
 
yes i see your point.
if we take the max of the indexes then from there, we have that either way a_n equals x_n or y_n, and thus also a_n converges to a, cause from the maximum of the indexes both the inequalities are applied and thus also |a_n-a|<e, right?
 
Yes, that is correct.
 

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