What is the limit of (ln n)^n / [ln(n+1)]^(n+1) as n approaches infinity?

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter alexmahone
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Limit
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the limit of the expression \((\ln n)^n / [\ln(n+1)]^{n+1}\) as \(n\) approaches infinity. Participants explore various mathematical approaches and reasoning related to this limit, including the application of the Cauchy root test and the behavior of logarithmic functions.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that \(\frac{\ln n}{\ln(n+1)}\) approaches 1, leading to the conclusion that \(\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \left(\frac{\ln n}{\ln(n+1)}\right)^{n} = 1\).
  • Others argue that since \(\frac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n+1)} < 1\) for \(n \ge 1\), this impacts the limit and suggests that the overall expression approaches 0.
  • A later reply questions the reasoning behind concluding that \(\lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 + \frac{\ln n - \ln(n+1)}{\ln(n+1)}\right)^{n} = 1\), noting that \(1^\infty\) is an indeterminate form.
  • Some participants discuss the convergence of the infinite sum \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln(n+1)]^{n+1}}\) and its implications for the limit, with differing views on the application of the Cauchy root test.
  • There is a mention of the small-o notation and its implications for the limit, with some participants providing detailed reasoning about the behavior of terms as \(n\) becomes large.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the limit, with no consensus reached on the final outcome or the validity of the various approaches discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments rely on assumptions about the behavior of logarithmic functions and the application of limits, which may not be universally accepted. The discussion includes references to indeterminate forms and the convergence of series, which are not fully resolved.

alexmahone
Messages
303
Reaction score
0
Find $\displaystyle \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}}$.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Alexmahone said:
Find $\displaystyle \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}}$.

Is...

$\displaystyle \frac{\ln n}{\ln (n+1)} = 1+ \frac{\ln n - \ln (n+1)}{\ln (n+1)} \implies \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} (\frac{\ln n}{\ln (n+1)})^{n}=1 \implies$

$\displaystyle \implies \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{1}{\ln (n+1)}\ (\frac{\ln n}{\ln (n+1)})^{n}=0$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Alexmahone said:
Find $\displaystyle \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}}$.
$\displaystyle\frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}}=\frac{1}{\ln(n+1}\left[\frac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n+1)}\right]^n$.

If $n\ge 3$ then $\displaystyle\left[\frac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n+1)}\right]<1$.
 
Last edited:
Plato said:
$\displaystyle\frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}}\frac{1}{\ln(n+1}\left[\frac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n+1)}\right]^n$.

If $n\ge 3$ then $\displaystyle\left[\frac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n+1)}\right]<1$.

Actually, $\displaystyle\left[\frac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n+1)}\right]<1$ for $n\ge 1$.
 
Alexmahone said:
Actually, $\displaystyle\left[\frac{\ln(n)}{\ln(n+1)}\right]<1$ for $n\ge 1$.
How does that effect the truth of what I posted?
 
Alexmahone said:
Find $\displaystyle \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}}$.
Let us define the following infinite sum:

$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}} $$

That sum is converges, use Cauchy root test, hence,

$$\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}}=0$$
 
chisigma said:
$\displaystyle \frac{\ln n}{\ln (n+1)} = 1+ \frac{\ln n - \ln (n+1)}{\ln (n+1)} \implies \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} (\frac{\ln n}{\ln (n+1)})^{n}=1 \implies$

$\displaystyle \implies \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{1}{\ln (n+1)}\ (\frac{\ln n}{\ln (n+1)})^{n}=0$
How did you conclude that $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty} \left(1+ \frac{\ln n - \ln (n+1)}{\ln (n+1)}\right)^n=1$?
 
Plato said:
How does that effect the truth of what I posted?

It doesn't, but you didn't complete your proof. $\displaystyle 1^\infty$ is an indeterminate form.
 
Also sprach Zarathustra said:
Let us define the following infinite sum:

$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}} $$

That sum is converges, use Cauchy root test
If I am not mistaken, $\sqrt[n]{\frac{(\ln n)^n}{[\ln (n+1)]^{n+1}}}\to1$ as $n\to\infty$, so the test is inconclusive.
 
  • #10
Alexmahone said:
It doesn't, but you didn't complete your proof. $\displaystyle 1^\infty$ is an indeterminate form.
There is nothing to complete. You have a bounded factor and a factor the limit of which is $=?$
 
  • #11
Plato said:
There is nothing to complete. You have a bounded factor and a factor the limit of which is $=?$

zero
 
  • #12
Evgeny.Makarov said:
How did you conclude that $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty} \left(1+ \frac{\ln n - \ln (n+1)}{\ln (n+1)}\right)^n=1$?

Because is...

$\displaystyle (1+o(n))^{n}= 1 + n\ o(n) + \binom {n}{2}\ o^{2}(n)+...+ \binom{n}{n-1}\ o^{n-1}(n) + o^{n}(n)$ (1)

... You have that...

$\displaystyle \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} n\ o(n)=0 \implies \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty}(1+o(n))^{n}=1$ (2)

For n 'large enough' is...

$\displaystyle \ln (n+1)-\ln n \sim \frac{1}{n} \implies o(n)= \frac{\ln n - \ln (n+1)}{\ln (n+1)} \sim - \frac{1}{n\ \ln (n+1)}$ (3)

... so that the (2) is verified...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #13
chisigma said:
$\displaystyle \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} n\ o(n)=0 \implies \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty}(1+o(n))^{n}=1$
By the definition of small-o, $f(n)$ is $o(n)$ if $f(n)/n\to 0$, not $nf(n)\to0$. Also, $1/n$ is $o(1)$ and $o(n)$, but $(1+1/n)^n\to e$ as $n\to\infty$.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K