Why Assume Limit of \( S_{n-1} = S_n \)?

Mathematicsss

Homework Statement


If the sum of a sub n to infinity (n=1) converges then the limit of n as n tends to infinity of an = 0

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


an =(a1+a2+...an)-(a1+...+an-1)
= limit of an (n tends to infinity) = sn -s(n-1) =0

The area I'm confused is why do we assume that the limit of s(n-1)= limit of sn
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Mathematicsss said:

Homework Statement


If the sum of a sub n to infinity (n=1) converges then the limit of n as n tends to infinity of an = 0

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


an =(a1+a2+...an)-(a1+...+an-1)
= limit of an (n tends to infinity) = sn -s(n-1) =0

The area I'm confused is why do we assume that the limit of s(n-1)= limit of sn
The sum is given as convergent, so ##\lim_{n \to \infty}S_n## exists, let's say is equal to ##S##. Can you simply try to prove, that ##\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n = 0## where ##b_n = S_n - S_{n-1}\,##? Hint: try to estimate ##b_n = (S_n-S) - (S_{n_1}-S)##.
 
Mathematicsss said:

Homework Statement


If the sum of a sub n to infinity (n=1) converges then the limit of n as n tends to infinity of an = 0
Learning a little bit of LaTeX, will make what you're writing much easier to comprehend. Under INFO --> Help/How-to is this page: https://www.physicsforums.com/help/latexhelp/
Mathematicsss said:

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


an =(a1+a2+...an)-(a1+...+an-1)
= limit of an (n tends to infinity) = sn -s(n-1) =0

The area I'm confused is why do we assume that the limit of s(n-1)= limit of sn
How is ##S_n## defined? You don't mention it anywhere above.
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
Back
Top