Where have i gone wrong with this lim

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dell
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on finding the limit of the series S = 1/2 + 3/4 + 5/8 + 7/16 + 9/32 + ... as n approaches infinity. The user initially derives the expression S = 3 - (2n-1)/2^n but realizes this is incorrect, as the correct limit is S = 3 - (2n+3)/2^n. The confusion arises from the manipulation of the series and the geometric series involved in the calculation. The user seeks clarification on the correct approach to derive the limit accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of infinite series and limits
  • Familiarity with geometric series and their sums
  • Knowledge of algebraic manipulation of series
  • Basic calculus concepts related to limits
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of geometric series and their convergence
  • Learn about the manipulation of series and limits in calculus
  • Explore the concept of series convergence tests
  • Review examples of finding limits of series as n approaches infinity
USEFUL FOR

Students of calculus, mathematicians, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of infinite series and their limits.

Dell
Messages
555
Reaction score
0
where am i going wrong with this lim?
how do i find the limit for the following , where n->infinity

1/2 + 3/4 + 5/8 + 7/16 +9/32 +...

i see that the numerator starts at 1 and has jumps of +2, giving me all the odd numbers

the denominator starts at 2 with jumps of *2 giving all the powers of 2

so i have... + (2n-1)/2^n

but how do i find the sum of the series? where n=infinity

??

if i had one fraction, (1+3+5+7+9...)/(2+4+8+16...) then i know i could use the equations for sum of a series, but how do i dela with each one as its own fraction.

i am looking for the lim of the sum, not the lim of (2n-1)/2^n


the sum S is

S = 1/2 + 3/4 + 5/8 + 7/16 +9/32 +... (2n-1)/2^n

now i take double that and i get
2S = 1 + 3/2 + 5/4 + 7/8 + 9/16 +...(4n-2)/2^n

now if i subtract 2S-S i get
2S = 1 + 3/2 + 5/4 + 7/8 + 9/16 +...(4n-2)/2^n
S =//// 1/2 + 3/4 + 5/8 + 7/16 +9/32 +... (2n-1)/2^n

as you see, if i subtract S from 2S all the middle fractions have a matching one (eg, 3/2 -1/2 =2/2 5/4 -3/4=2/4 etc) only the 1 from 2S and the (2n-1)/2^n from S are left with the sequence (2/2 +2/4 +2/8...)

2S – S = 1 + 2/2 + 2/4 + 2/8 + …2/2^n - (2n-1)/2^n

S = 1 + 2*( 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 …) - (2n-1)/2^n

now i know that 2*( 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 …) =2*1=2
so

S=1+2-(2n-1)/2^n
=3-(2n-1)/2^n


only that the answer is wrong, and the correct one is

3-(2n+3)/2^n

can you see where i have gone wrong??
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't understand why the sum isn't just 3. You clearly have:

[tex]S=1+2\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^n[/tex]

The sum of the geometric series above is known to be exactly 1, so S=1+2(1)=3, no?
 
correct, but as i have shown before, when i subtract S from 2S i subtract the 'n+1' number of S from the 'n' number of 2S, leaving me with the 1st from 2S and the last from S, with the geometric series between, if you look at the answer '3-(2n+3)/2^n' it is correct for ANY n,
n=1, S=1/2
n=2 S=7/4...

how do i get to this?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
23
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
2K