Show the product of convergent sequences converge to the product of their limits

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving that the product of convergent sequences converges to the product of their limits, specifically using the sequences \(a_n\) and \(b_n\) converging to \(a\) and \(b\) respectively. The equality \((a_n)(b_n) - ab = (a_n - a)(b_n) + b(a_n - a) + a(b_n - b)\) is established to facilitate the proof. The proof employs the definition of convergence and the triangle inequality to show that the limit of the product converges to \(ab\) as \(n\) approaches infinity.

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  • Knowledge of limits and epsilon-delta definitions
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Homework Statement


Use the fact that a_n=a+(a_n-a) and b_n=b+(b_n-b) to establish the equality

(a_n)(b_n)-ab=(a_n-a)(b_n)+b(a_n-a)+a(b_n-b)

Then use this equality to give a different proof of part (d) of theorem 2.7.

Homework Equations


The theorem it is citing is:
The sequence {(a_n)(b_n-b)} converges to ab.

The proof in the book uses bounds to establish that the theorem is true.

The Attempt at a Solution



Building (a_n)(b_n)-ab=(a_n-a)(b_n)+b(a_n-a)+a(b_n-b) is not hard, and I am omitting this part.

Assume a_n converges to a and b_n converges to b
Let ε>0 be given.
Using the definition of convergence, |a_n-a|< ε for all n≥ N_1 where N_1 is a positive integer.
Similarly, |b_n-b|< ε for all n≥ N_2 where N_2 is a positive integer.

Using the fact that (a_n)(b_n)-ab=(a_n-a)(b_n)+b(a_n-a)+a(b_n-b), then
|(a_n)(b_n)-ab|=|(a_n-a)(b_n)+b(a_n-a)+a(b_n-b)|

Using the triangular inequality and properties of absolute values, |(a_n)(b_n)-ab|=|(a_n-a)||(b_n)|+|b||(a_n-a)|+|a||(b_n-b)|

Then |(a_n-a)||(b_n)|+|b||(a_n-a)|+|a||(b_n-b)| < (ε)(ε)+|b|ε+|a|ε < ε

This is where my issues begin. My professor suggested using more N_x values. Four in total I believe. I need to show some how that the the product and sum is less then ε, but I am having trouble discovering how to set up the convergence definition to make the product and sum equal to ε.
 
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a_nb_n- ab_n+ ab_n- ab= b_n(a_n- a)+ a(b_n- b)
 
HallsofIvy said:
a_nb_n- ab_n+ ab_n- ab= b_n(a_n- a)+ a(b_n- b)

I am sorry but did you mean a_nb_n- ab_n+ ab_n- ab=b(a_n)+a(b_n-b) instead of b_n(a_n-a)?

Using that, then
|a_nb_n- ab_n+ ab_n- ab|=|b(a_n)+a(b_n-b)|<|b||a_n-a|+|a||b_n-b|

If |a_n-a|< ε/[2(|b|+1)] and |b_n-b|<ε/[2(|a|+1)], then

|b||a_n-a|+|a||b_n-b|< (ε|b|)/[2(|b|+1)]+(ε|a|)/[2(|a|+1)] = (ε/2)*[|b|/(|b|+1)]+(ε/2)*[|a|/(|a|+1)] < ε/2+ε/2=ε

Something like that?
 

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