Where is the mistake in this epsilon delta proof?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around an epsilon-delta proof concerning the limit of a sequence defined as \( X_n = \sqrt{n+1} + \sqrt{n+2} - 2\sqrt{n+3} \). The original poster attempts to demonstrate that the limit approaches infinity by contradiction, but they encounter unexpected results that suggest the limit may not be incorrect as initially presumed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster describes their approach using an estimation method and expresses confusion over reaching a conclusion that contradicts their initial assumption about the limit. They question how they could derive a value for \( N \) when the limit is claimed to be incorrect.

Discussion Status

Some participants have pointed out potential errors in the original poster's reasoning, particularly regarding the implications of negative values in their proof. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct interpretation of the limit and the conditions under which it holds.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses concern about their English proficiency and acknowledges a possible misplacement of their question in the forum. There is also a mention of the time of posting, indicating a potential for fatigue affecting clarity.

FaroukYasser
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Missing template due to originally being posted in different forum.
The question asks to proof that the limit given in incorrect by contradiction. I tried working using the estimation method and the weird thing is that I completed the proof and found that the supposedly "incorrect" limit gave a correct answer although it was supposed to give me a contradiction of some sort, can someone help?

##Let\quad { X }_{ n }=\sqrt { n+1 } +\sqrt { n+2 } -2\sqrt { n+3 } ,\quad by\quad contradiction\\ show\quad that:\\ \lim _{ n\rightarrow \infty }{ \left[ \sqrt { n+1 } +\sqrt { n+2 } -2\sqrt { n+3 } \right] } =\infty \quad is\quad not\quad true.\\ \\ My\quad answer:\\ \\ for\quad any\quad arbitrary\quad given\quad M>0,\quad there\quad exists\quad an\quad N.\\ such\quad that\quad if\quad n>N,\quad then\quad \left| \sqrt { n+1 } +\sqrt { n+2 } -2\sqrt { n+3 } \right| >M\\ \\ \left| \sqrt { n+1 } +\sqrt { n+2 } -2\sqrt { n+3 } \right| \quad >\quad 2\sqrt { n+3 } -\sqrt { n+1 } -\sqrt { n+2 } \\ >\quad -2\sqrt { n+3 } -\sqrt { n+1 } -\sqrt { n+2 } =\quad -\left( 2\sqrt { n+3 } +\sqrt { n+1 } +\sqrt { n+2 } \right) \\ >\quad -\left( 2\sqrt { n+3 } +\sqrt { n+3 } +\sqrt { n+3 } \right) =-4\sqrt { n+3 } \quad >\quad M\\ taking\quad N\quad =\quad -3\quad +\quad \frac { { M }^{ 2 } }{ 16 } \\ if\quad n>N\quad \Longrightarrow \quad \left| \sqrt { n+1 } +\sqrt { n+2 } -2\sqrt { n+3 } \right| >M\\ ##

How can I have reached an N when the limit is incorrect?! Any help would be appreciated.
Also, sorry for my bad English.
 
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You do realize that ##-4\sqrt{n+3}## is negative and therefore always smaller than ##M##? There are several such mistakes.
 
Orodruin said:
You do realize that ##-4\sqrt{n+3}## is negative and therefore always smaller than ##M##? There are several such mistakes.
Ohh wow! Its 3 AM here so I do apologize for this.

Also, sorry for posting in the wrong forum.
Cheers :)
 
Did you mean ##\lim_n X_n=+\infty## or ##\lim_n|X_n|=+\infty##?
 

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