To what value do these series converge?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of the series sin(n)/n and cos(n)/n, exploring methods for evaluation and the application of Dirichlet's test and Fourier series. Participants express uncertainty about the convergence values and the techniques to use.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using Dirichlet's test to show convergence but is uncertain about the resulting value.
  • Another participant asserts that the series must converge to zero, citing the bounded nature of sin(n) and cos(n) as n approaches infinity.
  • A clarification is made regarding the focus on series rather than sequences, indicating a summation from n = 1 to infinity.
  • A participant proposes an integration approach involving a sum of cos(kx) to derive the series for sin(k)/k, though they express uncertainty about its effectiveness.
  • Another participant mentions successfully calculating the series sin(n)/n through differentiation of the Fourier cosine series but struggles with evaluating cos(n)/n.
  • A suggestion is made to evaluate a related series involving z^n/n and then use it to find the sums for cos(nt) and sin(nt) through real and imaginary parts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the convergence values of the series, with differing opinions on the outcome and methods to evaluate them. Multiple competing views remain regarding the techniques and results.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness of their proposed methods, and there are unresolved mathematical steps in the evaluation processes discussed.

defunc
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Consider these series:
sin(n)/n; and
cos(n)/n.
To what value do they converge? You can use Diriclet's test to show that they do converge, but to what? I think I should use a Fourier trigonometric series, but not certain how.
 
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Without ado, the answer must be "zero", because sin(n) and cos(n) can only have values between -1 to +1, while n tends to infinity.
 
I meant series, not sequence. With summation n = 1 to infinity. Sorry for any confusion.
 
Note: I'm not sure if this actually works, but it's an idea.

_____________________________________________________

[tex]\sum[/tex] cos kx = -.5 + (.5sin[(2n +1)x/2)] )/sin x/2

So, if you integrate the sum, from 0 to 1, you should get

[tex]\sum[/tex] (sin k)/k , which is the sum you want, so integrate the other side from 0 to 1.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the idea. I am having a hard time to find a way to integrate that expression. Meantime I was able to calculate the series sin(n)/n by differentiating the fouries cosine series cos(nx)/n^2 and substituting 1. It equates to pi/2-1
/2. I am still stuck trying to evaluate cos(n)/n however.
 
First evaluate [itex]\sum z^n/n[/itex] then substitute in that to evaluate [itex]\sum e^{int}/n[/itex], then take real and imaginary parts to get [itex]\sum \cos(nt)/n[/itex] and [itex]\sum \sin(nt)/n[/itex]
 

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