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  • Solution 9.2 # 47: Math 153 SP01

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    Minh Nguyen
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    This document provides a proof that a convergent sequence has a unique limit. It first assumes that a sequence converges to two different limits, L1 and L2, where L1 is less than L2. It then defines the distance between the limits as ε = L2 - L1. It shows that based on the definition of convergence, there exists indices N1 and N2 such that the terms an are within ε of L1 and L2 respectively when n is greater than the larger of N1 and N2. This leads to a contradiction, as a single term cannot be simultaneously within ε of both L1 and L2. Therefore, the assumption that there are two different limits must be false,

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    This document provides a proof that a convergent sequence has a unique limit. It first assumes that a sequence converges to two different limits, L1 and L2, where L1 is less than L2. It then defines the distance between the limits as ε = L2 - L1. It shows that based on the definition of convergence, there exists indices N1 and N2 such that the terms an are within ε of L1 and L2 respectively when n is greater than the larger of N1 and N2. This leads to a contradiction, as a single term cannot be simultaneously within ε of both L1 and L2. Therefore, the assumption that there are two different limits must be false,

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    17 views2 pages

    Solution 9.2 # 47: Math 153 SP01

    Uploaded by

    Minh Nguyen
    This document provides a proof that a convergent sequence has a unique limit. It first assumes that a sequence converges to two different limits, L1 and L2, where L1 is less than L2. It then defines the distance between the limits as ε = L2 - L1. It shows that based on the definition of convergence, there exists indices N1 and N2 such that the terms an are within ε of L1 and L2 respectively when n is greater than the larger of N1 and N2. This leads to a contradiction, as a single term cannot be simultaneously within ε of both L1 and L2. Therefore, the assumption that there are two different limits must be false,

    Copyright:

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    of 2

    SOLUTION 9.

    2 # 47

    MATH 153 SP01

    Prove that a convergent sequence has a unique limit.


    Proof: First of all, if we knew already the Summation rule, we would be
    able to solve this in a minute, since:
    lim an = L1
    n→∞
    and
    lim an = L2
    n→∞
    then
    lim (an − an ) = ( lim an ) − ( lim an ) =
    n→∞ n→∞ n→∞
    = L1 − L2
    but that means
    lim 0 = L1 − L2
    n→∞
    and isnce the constant sequence 0 is only “close” to 0 (any number different
    from 0 is too far away - try to put this using the  thingie!) it means that
    L1 − L2 = 0 ⇒ L1 = L2 , and hence the sequence cannot have two different
    limits.
    Still, we don’t need the summation rule. Recall the picture I drew in class
    ... and it will help you make sense of the following formal proof:
    Assume
    lim an = L1
    n→∞
    and
    lim an = L2
    n→∞
    where L1 6= L2 ; for convenience assume L1 < L2 . Let  = L2 −L 2
    1
    . For this
    , since an converges to L1 , we have that there exists an index N1 so that
    |an −L1 | <  for n > N1 . At the same time, an converges to L2 , and so there
    is an index N2 so that |an − L2 | <  for n > N2 . Let’s try to summarize this
    information:
    - one of these two indeces is bigger, and call the biggest one N .
    - since, if n > N it means that n > N1 and n > N2 at the same time (n
    is bigger than the bigger of the two, right?)
    - hence, |an − L1 | <  and |an − L2 | <  at the same time
    - what does that mean? it means that the distance from an to L1 is less
    than , which, if you recall, is half the distance between L1 and L2 ; at the
    Date: 04/18/2001.
    1
    2 MATH 153 SP01

    same time, an is at distance, again, less than , but from L2 this time; what
    does that mean? imagine the line passing between L1 and L2 at half the
    distance ... it means that an is at the same time above that line, and below
    it - impossible!!
    - in conclusion, we cannot have this setup ... and it all started with the
    sequence having two different limits, so this is impossible.

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