Rudin's explanation of how rapid the series 1/(n) converges

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the convergence of the series \(\sum \frac{1}{n!}\) as presented in Rudin's "Principles of Mathematical Analysis." Participants explore the estimation of the convergence rate and the mathematical justification behind a specific equality involving geometric series.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents Rudin's estimation of the convergence of the series \(\sum \frac{1}{n!}\) and expresses confusion about a specific equality related to geometric series.
  • Another participant identifies the sum as a geometric series and suggests a method to derive the equality using the formula for the sum of a geometric series.
  • A later reply acknowledges the clarification and expresses understanding of the geometric series concept.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the identification of the series as geometric, but the initial confusion regarding the equality remains unresolved until clarified by another participant.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the broader implications of the convergence rate or the specific mathematical steps leading to the equality, leaving some assumptions and dependencies on definitions unaddressed.

DeadOriginal
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In Rudin's Principle's of Mathematical Analysis, Rudin days that we can estimate how fast the series [itex]\sum\frac{1}{n!}[/itex] converges by the following:
Put
$$
s_{n}=\sum_{k=0}^{n}\frac{1}{k!}.
$$
Then
$$
e-s_{n}
=\frac{1}{(n+1)!}+\frac{1}{(n+2)!}+\frac{1}{(n+3)!}+\cdots<\frac{1}{(n+1)!}\left(1+\frac{1}{n+1}+\frac{1}{(n+1)^{2}}+\cdots\right)=\frac{1}{n!n}
$$
so that
$$
0<e-s_{n}<\frac{1}{n!n}.
$$
The part that bothers me is
$$
\frac{1}{(n+1)!}\left(1+\frac{1}{n+1}+\frac{1}{(n+1)^{2}}+\cdots\right)=\frac{1}{n!n}.
$$
Using Maple I was able to see that
$$
\frac{1}{(n+1)!}\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{(n+1)^{k}}=\frac{1}{n!n}
$$
but what if I did not have access to anything like Maple or Mathematica. How would I be able to figure out that the equality holds?
 
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That sum is a geometric series - do you know what to do with those?
 
Oh. HAHAHAHA. Wow. Okay. I see it now. Thanks.
 
DeadOriginal said:
In Rudin's Principle's of Mathematical Analysis, Rudin days that we can estimate how fast the series [itex]\sum\frac{1}{n!}[/itex] converges by the following:
Put
$$
s_{n}=\sum_{k=0}^{n}\frac{1}{k!}.
$$
Then
$$
e-s_{n}
=\frac{1}{(n+1)!}+\frac{1}{(n+2)!}+\frac{1}{(n+3)!}+\cdots<\frac{1}{(n+1)!}\left(1+\frac{1}{n+1}+\frac{1}{(n+1)^{2}}+\cdots\right)=\frac{1}{n!n}
$$
so that
$$
0<e-s_{n}<\frac{1}{n!n}.
$$
The part that bothers me is
$$
\frac{1}{(n+1)!}\left(1+\frac{1}{n+1}+\frac{1}{(n+1)^{2}}+\cdots\right)=\frac{1}{n!n}.
$$
Using Maple I was able to see that
$$
\frac{1}{(n+1)!}\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{(n+1)^{k}}=\frac{1}{n!n}
$$
but what if I did not have access to anything like Maple or Mathematica. How would I be able to figure out that the equality holds?

The sum is simply a geometric series with r = 1/(n+1), so the sum = 1/(1-r) = (n+1)/n.
 

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