Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Science Department of Mathematics

MAT 1032 Calculus II 10.07.2015

Answers to Homework 1 - True False Questions for Sequences
Instructors: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu k: celalcem@gmail.com Z: B351/2 T: 0 232 3018607
Course Web-page: http://kisi.deu.edu.tr/celalcem.sarioglu/15ymat1032.html

• Textbook:
University Calculus, Early Transcendentals, Joel Hass, Maurice D. Weir, and George B. Thomas, Jr., International Edition,
2nd edition, Pearson, 2012.

• Reading:
Read the following parts from the Calculus Biographies that I have given (online supplement of our textbook):

1. Sequences and Series

2. Biographies of the following mathematicians (and scientists):

(a) Nicole Oresme (1320-1382) (d) Brook Taylor (1685-1731)

(b) Richard Dedekind (1831-1916)
(c) Albert of Saxony (1316-1390) (e) Colin Maclaurin (1698-1746)

• Write ‘TRUE’ or ‘FALSE’ for each of the following statements. If you claim ‘TRUE’, prove that. If you claim
‘FALSE’, give a counter example and give a corresponding statement that becomes true if you correct some hypothesis
By a sequence in the following statements, we mean a sequence of real numbers. For all of the questions below:
Let (an )∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 be sequences. Let L ∈ R. If (an )n=1 converges to a real number L, we write an → L as
n → ∞, or we write just an → L, or we write lim an = L. If (an )∞
n=1 diverges to ∞, we write an → ∞ as n → ∞, or
n→∞
we write just an → ∞, or we write lim an = ∞. Similarly for divergence to −∞.
n→∞

1. FALSE A sequence of real numbers is a real-valued function whose domain is R.

Answer: A sequence of real numbers is a real-valued function whose domain is the set of positive integers, that is, it is a
function f : Z+ → R. We denote it by (an )∞ +
n=1 by taking an = f(n) for every n ∈ Z .

2. FALSE The set R+ of all positive real numbers has a smallest element.
Answer: Suppose for the contrary that R+ has a smallest element a. That is, a is a positive real number and for every positive
real number ε, a 6 ε. Since a is positive, a/2 would be positive and strictly smaller than a which contradicts with a being the
smallest positive real number. This contradiction shows that R+ has no smallest element.
3. FALSE A nonempty subset A of R is said to be bounded from above if there exists M ∈ R such that a 6 M for
some a ∈ A.
Answer: A nonempty subset A of R is said to be bounded from above if there exists M ∈ R such that a 6 M for all a ∈ A.
4. FALSE A nonempty subset A of R is said to be bounded if there exists M ∈ R such that a 6 M for all a ∈ A.
Answer: This is the definition of being bounded from above: A nonempty subset A of R is said to be bounded from above if
there exists M ∈ R such that a 6 M for all a ∈ A. Similarly, a nonempty subset A of R is said to be bounded from below if
there exists m ∈ R such that a > m for all a ∈ A. We then say that a nonempty subset A of R is said to be bounded if it is
bounded from above and from below, that is, if there exist real numbers m and M such that m 6 a 6 M for all a ∈ A.
5. FALSE A real number L is not a lower bound of a nonempty subset A of R if there exists a ∈ A such that a > L.
Answer: A real number L is not a lower bound of a nonempty subset A of R if there exists a ∈ A such that a < L. A real
number L is not an upper bound of a nonempty subset A of R if there exists a ∈ A such that a > L.
6. TRUE A nonempty subset A of R is bounded if and only if there exists a real number K > 0 such that |a| 6 K
for all a ∈ A.
Answer: If a nonempty subset A of R is bounded, then it is bounded from above and from below, that is, there exist real
numbers m and M such that m 6 a 6 M for all a ∈ A. Let K = max({|m| + 1, |M| + 1}). Then K > 0 and for all a ∈ A,

−K 6 −(|m| + 1) 6 −|m| 6 m 6 a 6 M 6 |M| 6 |M| + 1 6 K, that is, −K6a6K

which means |a| 6 K for all a ∈ A. Conversely, if there exists a real number K > 0 such that |a| 6 K for all a ∈ A, then
−K 6 a 6 K for all a ∈ A which means that A is bounded from below (by −K) and bounded from above (by K), that is, A is a
bounded set of real numbers.
7. TRUE inf(R+ ) = 0, that is, 0 is the greatest lower bound of the set R+ of all positive real numbers.
Answer: Clearly 0 is a lower bound for R+ . It is the greatest lower bound of R+ because if a > 0 is a real number, then a is
not a lower bound for R+ since a > a/2 and a/2 ∈ R+ . So 0 is the greatest lower bound of R+ .
MAT 1032 Calculus II – Answers to Homework 1: True False Questions for Sequences, Date: 10.07.2015 Instructor: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu Page 2 of 10

8. FALSE The set Z+ of positive integers is bounded from above.

Answer: By the Archimedean Property of R, the set Z+ of all positive integers is not bounded from above.
9. FALSE There exists a real number M such that n 6 M for every positive integer n.
Answer: By the Archimedean Property of R, the set Z+ of all positive integers is not bounded from above, that is, for every
M ∈ R, M is not an upper bound of Z+ which means that there exists n ∈ Z+ such that n > M.
10. TRUE For each real number a > 0 and for each real number b, there exists n ∈ Z+ such that na > b.
Answer: This is the Archimedean Principle. See the lecture notes for its proof.
1
11. FALSE There exists a real number ε > 0 such that > ε for every n ∈ Z+ .
n
1
Answer: By the Archimedean Principle, for each real number ε > 0, since is a real number, there exists n ∈ Z+ greater than
ε
1 1 1
that real number , that is, such that n > which gives < ε.
ε ε n
12. FALSE A sequence (an )∞ n=1 of real numbers is said to be bounded if there exists a real number M such that
an 6 M for all n ∈ Z+ .
Answer: This is the definition of being bounded from above: A sequence (an )∞ n=1 of real numbers is said to be bounded from
above if there exists a real number M such that an 6 M for all n ∈ Z+ . Similarly, a sequence (an )∞
n=1 of real numbers is said to
be bounded from below if there exists a real number m such that an > m for all n ∈ Z+ . We then say that a sequence (an )∞ n=1
is bounded if it is bounded from above and below, that is, if there exists real numbers m and M such that m 6 an 6 M for all
n ∈ Z+ .
13. TRUE A sequence (an )∞ n=1 of real numbers is bounded if and only if there exists a real number K > 0 such that
|an | 6 K for all n ∈ Z+ .
Answer: If a sequence (an )∞
n=1 is bounded, then it is bounded from above and below, that is, there exists real numbers m and
M such that m 6 an 6 M for all n ∈ Z+ . Let K = max(|m| + 1, |M| + 1). Then for all n ∈ Z+ ,

−K 6 −(|m| + 1) 6 −|m| 6 m 6 an 6 M 6 |M| 6 |M| + 1 6 K, that is, − K 6 an 6 K

which means |an | 6 K for all n ∈ Z+ . Conversely, if there exists a real number K > 0 such that |an | 6 K for all n ∈ Z+ , then
−K 6 an 6 K for all n ∈ Z+ which means that (an )∞ n=1 is bounded from below (by −K) and bounded from above (by K), that
is, (an )∞
n=1 is a a bounded sequence.
   ∞
1 1
14. TRUE inf | n ∈ Z+ = 0, that is, 0 is the greatest lower bound of the sequence .
n  ∞
n n=1  
∞
1 1
Answer: Clearly 0 is a lower bound for the sequence . It is the greatest lower bound of the sequence
because
n=1 n n n=1
1 1
if ε > 0 is a real number, then by the Archimedean Principle, there exists a positive integer N such that N > and so <ε
 ∞ ε N
1
which implies that ε > 0 is not a lower bound of the sequence .
n n=1
15. FALSE The set R− of all negative real numbers has a greatest element.
Answer: Suppose for the contrary that R− has a greatest element a. That is, a is a negative real number and for every negative
real number b, a > b. Since a is negative, a/2 would be negative and strictly greater than a which contradicts with a being
the greatest negative real number. This contradiction shows that R− has no greatest element.
   ∞
−1 −1
16. TRUE sup | n ∈ Z+ = 0, that is, 0 is the least upper bound of the sequence .
n  ∞ ∞
n n=1 
−1 −1
Answer: Clearly 0 is an upper bound for the sequence . It is the least upper bound of the sequence
n=1 n n n=1
−1
because if b < 0 is a real number, then by the Archimedean Principle, there exists a positive integer N such that N > and
 ∞ b
−1 −1
so > b which implies that b < 0 is not an upper bound of the sequence .
N n n=1
17. FALSE A sequence (an )∞ n=1 is said to converge to a real number L if there exists a real number ε > 0 and N ∈ Z
+
+
such that for all n ∈ Z ,
n > N → |an − L| < ε.

Answer: The definition of convergence of sequences is a very important fundamental concept that you shall understand; the
correct definition is as follows: A sequence (an )∞
n=1 is said to converge to a real number L if for every real number ε > 0, there
exists N ∈ Z+ such that for all n ∈ Z+ ,
n > N → |an − L| < ε.
In symbolic form, a sequence (an )∞
n=1 is said to converge to a real number L if:

∀ε > 0 ∃N ∈ Z+ ∀n ∈ Z+ (n > N → |an − L| < ε.)

2
MAT 1032 Calculus II – Answers to Homework 1: True False Questions for Sequences, Date: 10.07.2015 Instructor: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu Page 3 of 10

 ∞
1
18. FALSE The sequence converges to 1.
n
  n=1∞
1
Answer: The sequence converges to 0. See the lecture notes for its proof using the definition of convergence of
n n=1
sequences and Archimedean Principle.
19. TRUE Let c ∈ R. Let an = c for every n ∈ Z+ . Then the constant sequence (an )∞ ∞
n=1 = (c)n=1 converges to c.
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof. It is very clear by using the definition of convergence.
20. FALSE A sequence (an )∞
n=1 may converge to a real number L1 and to also another real number L2 such that
L2 6= L1 .
Answer: We must have L1 = L2 . See the lecture notes for its proof. If a sequence (an )∞ n=1 is converges to a real number L1 and
to a real number L2 , then we have proved in the lectures that L1 = L2 . So there exists a unique real number L such that (an )∞
n=1
converges to L and we call this unique real number L the limit of the convergent sequence (an )∞ n=1 and we write lim an = L.
n→∞

21. FALSE A sequence (an )∞

is said to be a convergent sequence if for every real number ε > 0, there exists
n=1
N ∈ Z+ such that for all n ∈ Z+ ,
n > N → |an − L| < ε.

Answer: It is false since it does not state what L is; there is no quantifier for L. The correct definition for convergent sequence
must start with ‘there exists L ∈ R’. The definition of convergent sequences is a very important fundamental concept that you
shall understand; the correct definition is as follows: A sequence (an )∞ n=1 is said to be convergent if there exists a real number
L such that (an )∞
n=1 converges to L, that is, there exists a real number L such that for every real number ε > 0, there exists
N ∈ Z+ such that for all n ∈ Z+ ,
n > N → |an − L| < ε.
In symbolic form, a sequence (an )∞
n=1 is said to be a convergent sequence if:

∃L ∈ R ∀ε > 0 ∃N ∈ Z+ ∀n ∈ Z+ (n > N → |an − L| < ε.)

22. FALSE A sequence (an )∞ +

n=1 is said to be a divergent sequence if there exists ε > 0 and there exists N ∈ Z and
Ł ∈ R such that for all n ∈ Z+ ,
n > N and |an − L| > ε.

Answer: A sequence (an )∞n=1 is said to be divergent if it is not convergent, that is, if for every real number L there exists a real
number ε > 0 such that for every N ∈ Z+ , there exists n ∈ Z+ that satisfies

n>N and |an − L| > ε.

In symbolic form, a sequence (an )∞

n=1 is said to be a divergent sequence if:

∀L ∈ R ∃ε > 0 ∀N ∈ Z+ ∃n ∈ Z+ (n > N and |an − L| > ε.)

23. FALSE Every divergent sequence is unbounded.

Answer: For example, the sequence ((−1)n )∞
n=1 is divergent and bounded.

24. TRUE Every subsequence of a convergent sequence is convergent.

Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
25. FALSE Every convergent sequence is unbounded.
Answer: Every convergent sequence is bounded. See the lecture notes for its proof.
26. FALSE Every decreasing sequence is bounded.
Answer: For example, (−n)∞
n=1 is a decreasing sequence which is not bounded.

27. FALSE Every unbounded sequence is monotone.

Answer: For example, the sequence ((−1)n n)∞
n=1 is unbounded but it is neither nonincreasing nor nondecreasing, that is, it is
not monotone as it is easily seen.
28. TRUE If (an )∞ ∞
n=1 is an unbounded sequence, then (an )n=1 is divergent.
Answer: This is equivalent to saying that if (an )∞ ∞
n=1 is convergent, then (an )n=1 is bounded, that is, every convergent sequence
is bounded (see the lecture notes for its proof). The contrapositive of a statement “p =⇒ q” is “(not q) =⇒ (not p)” and this
is logically equivalent to “p =⇒ q”.
29. FALSE A sequence (an )∞ +
n=1 is said to be an increasing sequence if an < an+1 for some n ∈ Z .
Answer: A sequence (an )∞ +
n=1 is said to be an increasing sequence if an < an+1 for all n ∈ Z .

30. FALSE A sequence (an )∞ +

n=1 is said to be a nonincreasing sequence if an 6 an+1 for all n ∈ Z .
Answer: A sequence (an )∞ +
n=1 is said to be an nonincreasing sequence if an > an+1 for all n ∈ Z .

31. FALSE A sequence (an )∞ +

n=1 is said to be a decreasing sequence if an > an+1 for some n ∈ Z .
Answer: A sequence (an )∞ +
n=1 is said to be an decreasing sequence if an > an+1 for all n ∈ Z .

3
MAT 1032 Calculus II – Answers to Homework 1: True False Questions for Sequences, Date: 10.07.2015 Instructor: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu Page 4 of 10

32. FALSE A sequence (an )∞ +

n=1 is said to be a nondecreasing sequence if an > an+1 for all n ∈ Z .
Answer: A sequence (an )∞ +
n=1 is said to be a nondecreasing sequence if an 6 an+1 for all n ∈ Z .

33. FALSE A sequence (an )∞

n=1 is said to be a monotone sequence if it is an increasing sequence.
Answer: A sequence (an )∞ n=1 is said to be a monotone sequence if it is a nondecreasing sequence or a nonincreasing sequence.
Note that by the definitions of increasing, nonincreasing, decreasing and nondecreasing sequences, we have that: Increasing
sequences are nondecreasing sequences but not conversely, and decreasing sequences are nonincreasing sequences but not
conversely. Do you see the detail in these definitions?
34. TRUE An increasing sequence (an )∞
n=1 is bounded from below.
Answer: If (an )∞ +
n=1 is an increasing sequence, then an < an+1 for all n ∈ Z , and so

a1 < a2 < a3 < a4 < · · · an < an+1 < . . .

which shows that a1 is a lower bound of the sequence (an )∞

n=1 .

35. TRUE A decreasing sequence (an )∞

n=1 is bounded from above.
Answer: If (an )∞ +
n=1 is an decreasing sequence, then an > an+1 for all n ∈ Z , and so

a1 > a2 > a3 > a4 > · · · an > an+1 < . . .

which shows that a1 is an upper bound of the sequence (an )∞

n=1 .

36. TRUE Let (an )∞ ∞ ∞

n=1 be an increasing sequence. Then (an )n=1 is a bounded sequence if and only if (an )n=1 is
bounded from above.
Answer: An increasing sequence is always bounded from below. So an increasing sequence (an )∞
n=1 is a bounded sequence if
and only if (an )∞
n=1 is bounded from above.

37. TRUE Let (an )∞ ∞ ∞

n=1 be a decreasing sequence. Then (an )n=1 is a bounded sequence if and only if (an )n=1 is
bounded from below.
Answer: A decreasing sequence is always bounded from above. So a decreasing sequence (an )∞
n=1 is a bounded sequence if
and only if (an )∞
n=1 is bounded from below.

38. FALSE A nondecreasing sequence that is bounded from below is convergent.

Answer: A nondecreasing sequence is always bounded from below. Monotone Convergence Theorem for nondecreasing
sequences says that a nondecreasing sequence bounded from above is convergent; it converges to the least upper bound of the
sequence.
39. FALSE A nonincreasing sequence that is bounded from above is convergent.
Answer: A nonincreasing sequence is always bounded from above. Monotone Convergence Theorem for nonincreasing
sequences says that a nonincreasing sequence bounded from below is convergent; it converges to the greatest lower of the
sequence.
40. FALSE If (an )∞ ∞
n=1 is a monotone sequence, then (an )n=1 is convergent.
Answer: A monotone sequence is convergent if and only if it is bounded. A monotone bounded sequence is convergent. This
is the Monotone Convergence Theorem. See the lecture notes for its proof. For a counterexample, take an = n for all n ∈ Z+ .
Then (an )∞
n=1 is an increasing sequence and so a monotone sequence but it is divergent.

41. FALSE If (an )∞ ∞

n=1 is a bounded sequence, then (an )n=1 is a convergent sequence.
Answer: For example, the sequence ((−1)n )∞
n=1 is a bounded sequence but it is divergent.

42. TRUE If (an )∞ + ∞

n=1 is a decreasing sequence and an > 0 for all n ∈ Z , then (an )n=1 is convergent.
Answer: A decreasing sequence which is bounded from below is convergent by the Monotone Convergence Theorem. So the
decreasing sequence (an )∞
n=1 that is bounded below by 0 is convergent.

43. TRUE Every bounded monotone sequence is convergent.

Answer: This is the Monotone Convergence Theorem. See the lecture notes for its proof.
44. FALSE If an → A and bn → B for some real numbers A and B, and if an > bn for all n ∈ Z+ , then A > B.
Answer: For example, for an = n1 , bn = − n1 we have an > bn for all n ∈ Z+ but an → 0 and bn → 0 so 0 > 0 is not true. We
have in this case equality: 0 = 0. What we can say in general is that A > B (see the lecture notes for its proof), because we can
have equality A = B as the example shows.
45. TRUE If (an )∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 converges to L and (ank )k=1 is a subsequence of (an )n=1 , then (ank )k=1 converges to L, too.
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
46. TRUE If (an )∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 has two convergent subsequences (ank )k=1 and (anm )m=1 such that lim ank 6= lim anm ,
k→∞ m→∞
then (an )∞
n=1 is divergent.
Answer: If (an )∞ ∞
n=1 is convergent, then every subsequence has the same limit (namely the limit of the sequence (an )n=1 ). So
if we have subsequences with different limits, then the original sequence cannot be convergent.

k2 , if k is even;
47. FALSE For all k ∈ Z+ , let nk =
k , if k is odd.

4
MAT 1032 Calculus II – Answers to Homework 1: True False Questions for Sequences, Date: 10.07.2015 Instructor: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu Page 5 of 10

Then (ank )∞ ∞
k=1 is a subsequence of (an )n=1 .
Answer: By definition of subsequences of a sequence, the sequence (nk )∞ k=1 of the indices for the subsequence must be an
increasing sequence of positive integers, that is, nk ∈ Z+ and nk < nk+1 for all k ∈ Z+ :

n1 < n2 < n3 < · · · < nk < nk+1 < · · ·

In our case n1 = 1 < n2 = 22 > n3 = 3 < n4 = 42 > n5 = 5 < n6 = 62 > n7 = 7 · · · , that is,

n2k−1 < n2k and n2k > n2k+1 for all k ∈ Z+ .

So the sequence (nk )∞ ∞

k=1 of the indices is not increasing. Hence by the definition of subsequences, the sequence (ank )k=1 is
∞
not a subsequence of (an )n=1 .
48. TRUE If (an )∞ ∞ ∞ +
n=1 converges to L and (ank )k=1 is a subsequence of (an )n=1 , then nk > k for all k ∈ Z .
Answer: By definition of subsequences of a sequence, the sequence (nk )∞ k=1 of the indices for the subsequence must be an
increasing sequence of positive integers, that is, nk ∈ Z+ and nk < nk+1 for all k ∈ Z+ :

n1 < n2 < n3 < · · · < nk < nk+1 < · · ·

Since n1 is a positive integer, we have n1 > 1. Since n2 > n1 and n1 > 1, we must have n2 > 2. Since n3 > n2 and n2 > 2, we
must have n3 > 3. Continuing in this way one proves by induction on k that nk > k for all k ∈ Z+ .
49. TRUE lim an = 0 ⇐⇒ lim |an | = 0.
n→∞ n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
50. TRUE lim an = L ⇐⇒ lim |an − L| = 0.
n→∞ n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
51. FALSE lim an = L ⇐⇒ lim |an | = |L|.
n→∞ n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for the proof of ‘ lim an = L =⇒ lim |an | = |L|’. The converse ‘ lim |an | = |L| =⇒ lim an = L’
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞ n→∞
is false since in general convergence of (|an |)∞ ∞ n
n=1 does not imply convergence of (an )n=1 . For example, if an = (−1) for all
∞ ∞ ∞
n ∈ Z , the sequence (|an |)n=1 = (1)n=1 is the constant 1 sequence and so converges to 1 but (an )n=1 is divergent.
+

52. TRUE If |an − L| 6 bn for all n ∈ Z+ beyond some index N0 and lim bn = 0, then lim an = L.
n→∞ n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
53. FALSE If (an )∞ ∞
n=1 is a divergent sequence, then (|an |)n=1 is also divergent.
Answer: If an = (−1)n for all n ∈ Z+ , then (an )∞
n=1 is a divergent sequence but |an | = |(−1) | = 1 for all n ∈ Z
n +
and so
∞
(|an |)n=1 converges to 1.
54. TRUE If an → 0 and (bn )∞
n=1 is bounded, then an bn → 0.
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
h i h i
55. FALSE lim (an bn ) = lim an · lim bn for all sequences (an )∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 .
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞
Answer: This will be true if (an )∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 are convergent sequences so that we have the right to write lim an
n→∞
and lim bn which we know then to exist in real numbers. The limit theorem for the product of convergent sequences
n→∞
says that: If (an )∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 are convergent sequences, then (an bn )n=1 is a convergent sequence and lim (an bn ) =
h i h i n→∞

lim an · lim bn .
n→∞ n→∞

56. TRUE If (an )∞ ∞ +

n=1 and (bn )n=1 are convergent sequences and an 6 bn for all n ∈ Z , then lim an 6 lim bn .
n→∞ n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
57. FALSE If (an + bn )∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence, then both (an )n=1 and (bn )n=1 are convergent.
Answer: For example, for an = (−1)n and bn = (−1)n+1 for all n ∈ Z+ , neither (an )∞ ∞
n=1 nor (bn )n=1 is convergent but
∞
an + bn = 0 for all n, that is, (an + bn )n=1 is convergent.
58. FALSE If c ∈ R and (can )∞ ∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence, then (an )n=1 is a convergent sequence.
Answer: It is true if c 6= 0 but for c = 0, for example if an = (−1)n for every n ∈ Z+ , then (an )∞
n=1 is divergent but
(can )∞
n=1 = (0) ∞
n=1 is the constant zero sequence that converges to 0.
59. FALSE If an bn → 0, then either
 an → 0 or bn → 0. 
1, if n is even; 0, if n is even;
Answer: For example, let an = and bn =
0, if n is odd. 1, if n is odd.
Then an bn → 0 but an 9 0 and bn 9 0. Indeed, (an )∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 are divergent.

60. FALSE If (an bn )∞ ∞ ∞

n=1 is a convergent sequence, then both (an )n=1 and (bn )n=1 are convergent.
Answer: In the answer to the previous question, (an bn )∞ ∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence (it converges to 0), but neither (an )n=1
∞
nor (bn )n=1 are convergent.
h i
61. FALSE lim (can ) = c lim an for every real number c.
n→∞ n→∞
Answer: This will be true if (an )∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence so that we have the right to write lim an which we know then
n→∞
to exist in real numbers. The limit theorem for this says that: If (an )h∞
n=1 is a i
convergent sequence and c is a real number, then
the sequence (can )∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence and lim (can ) = c lim an .
n→∞ n→∞

5
MAT 1032 Calculus II – Answers to Homework 1: True False Questions for Sequences, Date: 10.07.2015 Instructor: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu Page 6 of 10

 ∞
1
62. FALSE If (an )∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence, then the sequence is also convergent.
an n=1
Answer: For this to be true, (an )∞
n=1 must converge to a nonzero real number L and an 6=
+
∞all n ∈ Z must hold. For
0 for
1 1
example, if an = for all n ∈ Z+ , then (an )∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence with limit 0, but = (n)∞
n=1 is a divergent
n an n=1
sequence (it diverges to ∞).
∞
63. FALSE
∞ If (an )n=1 is a convergent sequence of nonzero real numbers with a nonzero limit, then the sequence
1
is bounded.
an n=1
Answer: See the lecture notes
 for∞its proof. Indeed we have: if (an )∞
n=1 converge to a real number L 6= 0 and an 6= 0 for all
+ 1 1
n ∈ Z , then the sequence converges to , and so it must be bounded. For the proof of this theorem, we firstly
 ∞ an n=1  L
1  1 1  1 1
show that is bounded and then   − = |an − L| is the product of a bounded sequence and a sequence
an n=1 an L |an ||L|
∞
1 1
with limit 0, and so converges to 0 which implies that converges to .
an n=1 L
64. TRUE If an → L and if f(x) is a real-valued function of a real variable which is continuous at L and which is
defined at an for all n ∈ Z+ , then the sequence (f(an ))∞
n=1 converges to f(L).
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof. This statement is half of the sequential characterization of continuity of a function
at a point L in its domain.
65. FALSE A sequence (an )∞
n=1 is said to diverge to ∞ if it is an increasing sequence that is not bounded from
above.
Answer: A sequence (an )∞
n=1 is said to diverge to ∞ if for every real number M, there exists N ∈ Z such that for all n ∈ Z ,
+ +

n>N =⇒ an > M.

In symbolic form, a sequence (an )∞

n=1 is said to diverge to ∞ if:

∀M > 0 ∃N ∈ Z+ ∀n ∈ Z+ (n > N → an > M.)

According to this definition, if a sequence (an )∞ n=1 diverges to ∞, then

 it is necessarily true that it is not bounded from above
n2 , if n is even;
but it may not be increasing. For example, for all n ∈ Z+ , let an =
n , if n is odd.
Then (an )∞
n=1 diverges to ∞ but it is not increasing.
66. FALSE A sequence (an )∞
n=1 is said to diverge to −∞ if it is a decreasing sequence that is not bounded from
below.
Answer: A sequence (an )∞ + +
n=1 is said to diverge to −∞ if for every real number M, there exists N ∈ Z such that for all n ∈ Z ,

n>N =⇒ an < M.

In symbolic form, a sequence (an )∞

n=1 is said to diverge to −∞ if:

∀M > 0 ∃N ∈ Z+ ∀n ∈ Z+ (n > N → an < M.)

According to this definition, if a sequence (an )∞ n=1 diverges to −∞, thenit is necessarily true that it is not bounded from
−n2 , if n is even;
below but it may not be decreasing. For example, for all n ∈ Z+ , let an =
−n , if n is odd.
Then (an )∞
n=1 diverges to −∞ but it is not decreasing.
67. FALSE If (an )∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 , (bn )n=1 and (cn )n=1 are sequences of real numbers that satisfy

an 6 bn 6 cn for all n ∈ Z+ ,

and if (an )∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 and (cn )n=1 are convergent, then (bn )n=1 is also convergent.
Answer: Do not mix this with Sandwich theorem; in Sandwich theorem, (an )∞ ∞
n=1 and (cn )n=1 have the same limit. Sandwich
Theorem says that: If (an )∞
n=1 , (b ) ∞
n n=1 and (c ) ∞
n n=1 are sequences of real numbers that satisfy

an 6 bn 6 cn for all n ∈ Z+ ,

and if for some real number L, (an )∞ ∞ ∞

n=1 and (cn )n=1 both converge to the same real number L, then (bn )n=1 converges to
L, too. In the case when (an )n=1 and (cn )n=1 are convergent but not to the same real number, then (bn )∞
∞ ∞
n=1 may not be
convergent even. For example, for all n ∈ Z+ , let an = −5, bn = (−1)n and cn = 3. Then an 6 bn 6 cn for all n ∈ Z+ ,
(an )∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 converges to −5, (cn )n=1 converges to 3 but (bn )n=1 is divergent.

68. TRUE If (an )∞ ∞

n=1 is an increasing sequence of real numbers, then either (an )n=1 diverges to ∞ (if it is not
∞
bounded from above), or (an )n=1 is bounded from above and converges to sup({an | n ∈ Z+ }).
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof. It states the content of Monotone Convergence Theorem for increasing sequences:
An increasing sequence (an )∞ n=1 of real numbers either diverges to ∞ (if it is not bounded from above) or converges to
L = sup({an | n ∈ Z+ }) (if it is bounded from above).

6
MAT 1032 Calculus II – Answers to Homework 1: True False Questions for Sequences, Date: 10.07.2015 Instructor: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu Page 7 of 10

69. TRUE If (an )∞ ∞

n=1 is a decreasing sequence of real numbers, then either (an )n=1 diverges to −∞ (if it is not
∞
bounded from below), or (an )n=1 is bounded from below and converges to inf({an | n ∈ Z+ }).
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof. It states the content of Monotone Convergence Theorem for decreasing sequences:
A decreasing sequence (an )∞ n=1 of real numbers either diverges to −∞ (if it is not bounded from below) or converges to
L = inf({an | n ∈ Z+ }) (if it is bounded from below).
h i h i
70. FALSE lim (an + bn ) = lim an + lim bn for all sequences (an )∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 .
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞
Answer: This will be true if (an )∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 are convergent sequences so that we have the right to write lim an
n→∞
and lim bn which we know then to exist in real numbers. The limit theorem for the sum of convergent sequences says
n→∞
that: If (an )∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 are convergent sequences, then (an + bn )n=1 is a convergent sequence and lim (an + bn ) =
h i h i n→∞

lim an + lim bn .
n→∞ n→∞

71. TRUE Let f be a function defined on the interval [N0 , ∞) for some N0 ∈ Z+ and let (an )∞
n=1 be a sequence of
real numbers such that
an = f(n) for all integers n > N0 .
If lim f(x) = L for some real number L, then (an )∞
n=1 converges to L, that is, lim an = L.
x→∞ n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for the proof of this theorem. Remember that by this theorem we can find the limit of a
convergent sequence (an )∞
n=1 by finding lim f(x) using the methods for finding function limits (like L’Hôpital’s Rule) that
x→∞
we have seen in the first term in our Calculus I course. If lim f(x) = L for some real number L, then we have proved in the
x→∞
lectures that
lim an = lim f(n) = lim f(x) = L.
n→∞ n→∞ x→∞

72. TRUE Let f be a function defined on the interval [N0 , ∞) for some N0 ∈ Z+ and let (an )∞
n=1 be a sequence of
real numbers such that
an = f(n) for all integers n > N0 .
If lim f(x) = ∞, then (an )∞
n=1 diverges to ∞, that is, lim an = ∞.
x→∞ n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for the proof of this theorem. It is like the previous question with ∞ in place of L.
73. TRUE Let f be a function defined on the interval [N0 , ∞) for some N0 ∈ Z+ and let (an )∞
n=1 be a sequence of
real numbers such that
an = f(n) for all integers n > N0 .
If lim f(x) = −∞, then (an )∞
n=1 diverges to −∞, that is, lim an = −∞.
x→∞ n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for the proof of this theorem. It is like the previous question with −∞ in place of ∞.
74. FALSE Let f be a function defined on the interval [N0 , ∞) for some N0 ∈ Z+ and let (an )∞
n=1 be a sequence of
real numbers such that
an = f(n) for all integers n > N0 .
If the sequence (an )∞
n=1 converges to L, that is, if lim an = L for some real number L, then we also have that
n→∞
lim f(x) = L.
x→∞
Answer: Let f(x) = sin(2πx) for all x ∈ R and an = 0 for all n ∈ Z+ . Then an = f(n) for all n ∈ Z+ , and the sequence
(an )∞
n=1 converges to 0 since it is the constant zero sequence. But lim f(x) = lim sin(2πx) does not exist since the function
x→∞ x→∞
f(x) = sin(2πx) oscillates infinitely many times as x → ∞; consider the graph of the f(x) = sin(2πx) function to see that its
limit as x → ∞ does not exist.
75. TRUE If (an )∞ ∞
n=1 is a divergent sequence and c a nonzero real number, then the sequence (can )n=1 is divergent,
too.  ∞
1
Answer: If (can )∞
n=1 were a convergent sequence, then since c 6= 0, the sequence · can = (an )∞
n=1 would be a
c n=1
convergent sequence which contradicts with the hypothesis that (an )∞
n=1 is a divergent sequence.
Indeed, for a sequence (an )∞
n=1 of real numbers and for a nonzero real number c, prove that:

(an )∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence ⇐⇒ (can )∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence

So for a sequence (an )∞

n=1 of real numbers and for a nonzero real number c, we have that:

(an )∞
n=1 is a divergent sequence ⇐⇒ (can )∞
n=1 is a divergent sequence

h i
76. TRUE If (an )∞
n=1 is a convergent sequence, then lim (−an ) = − lim an .
n→∞ n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for the proof of the following theorem: hIf (an )∞i is a convergent sequence, then for every
n=1
real number c, (can )n=1 is a convergent sequence with lim (−an ) = − lim an . For c = −1, we obtain that if (an )∞
∞
n=1 is a
n→∞ n→∞ h i
∞
convergent sequence, then (−an )n=1 is a convergent sequence with lim (−an ) = − lim an .
n→∞ n→∞

7
MAT 1032 Calculus II – Answers to Homework 1: True False Questions for Sequences, Date: 10.07.2015 Instructor: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu Page 8 of 10

h i h i
77. FALSE lim (an − bn ) = lim an − lim bn for all sequences (an )∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 .
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞
Answer: This will be true if (an )∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 are convergent sequences so that we have the right to write lim an and
n→∞
lim bn which we know then to exist in real numbers. The limit theorem for the difference of convergent sequences says
n→∞
that: If (an )∞ ∞ ∞
n=1 and (bn )n=1 are convergent sequences, then (an − bn )n=1 is a convergent sequence and lim (an − bn ) =
h i h i n→∞

lim an − lim bn . This just follows from the theorem for the sum of convergent sequences and by the theorem in the
n→∞ n→∞
previous question.
78. TRUE Let f be a function defined on [d, ∞) for some real number d. Let (an )∞ n=1 be a sequence of real numbers
that diverges to ∞. If lim f(x) = L for some real number L, and if an ∈ [d, ∞) for all n ∈ Z+ , then the sequence
x→∞
(f(an ))∞
n=1 converges to L, that is, lim f(an ) = L.
n→∞
Answer: Prove this by using the definition of lim f(x) = L and lim an = ∞.
x→∞ n→∞

79. TRUE Let L ∈ R. Let f be a function that is defined at L. If f is not continuous at L, then there exists a sequence
(an )∞ + ∞
n=1 that converges to L such that an is in Domain(f) for every n ∈ Z but (f(an ))n=1 does not converge to
∞ ∞
f(L) (that is, either (f(an ))n=1 is a divergent sequence or (f(an ))n=1 is a convergent sequence but its limit is not
equal to f(L)).
Answer: Prove this using the ε-δ definition of continuity and convergence of sequences. It is part of the theorem for Sequential
Characterization of Continuity.
80. TRUE If (an )∞ n=1 is a sequence of real numbers such that there exists a real number L and both of the subse-
quences (a2k−1 )∞ ∞ ∞
k=1 and (a2k )k=1 converge to L, then (an )n=1 converges to L.
Answer: Prove this using the definition of convergence of sequences.
1
81. FALSE If an 6= 0 for all n ∈ Z+ and → 0, then an → ∞.
an
1
Answer: For example, for an = (−1)n n, we have an 6= 0 for all n ∈ Z+ and → 0. But an 6→ ∞. Indeed, the following
an
1 1
6 0 for all n ∈ Z+ and
is true: If an = → 0, then |an | → ∞. So it is true that: If an > 0 for all n ∈ Z+ and → 0, then
an an
an → ∞.
1
82. TRUE If an > 0 for all n ∈ Z+ and → 0, then an → ∞.
an
Answer: Prove this.
1
83. FALSE If an < 0 for all n ∈ Z+ and → 0, then an → ∞.
an
1
Answer: In this case an → −∞. That is, prove that if an < 0 for all n ∈ Z+ and → 0, then an → −∞.
an
1
84. TRUE Let p ∈ R. Then lim = 0 if and only if p > 0.
n→∞ np
1 1
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof. If p > 0, it is shown that lim p = 0. If p = 0 lim p = 1. If p < 0, then
 ∞ n→∞ n n→∞ n
1
= (n−p )∞
n=1 is an unbounded increasing sequence, so it is divergent.
np n=1
85. FALSE For a positive real number a, lim a1/n = 0.
n→∞
Answer: See the lecture notes for the proof of lim a1/n = 1.
n→∞

5n
86. FALSE lim = 1.
n→∞ n!
xn
Answer: Remember that we have proved in the lectures that for every real number x, lim = 0. So for x = 5, we obtain
n→∞ n!
5n
lim = 0.
n→∞ n!
√
87. FALSE lim n
n = ∞.
n→∞ √
n
Answer: See the lecture notes for the proof of lim n = 1.
n→∞
n
88. FALSE lim = 1.
n→∞ 2n
n
Answer: By the next question with a = 2 > 1 and p = 1, we have lim = 0.
n→∞ 2n
np
89. TRUE lim = 0 if a > 1 is a real number and p ∈ R is arbitrary.
n→∞ an
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
ln(n)
90. FALSE lim = 1 for every positive real number c.
n→∞ nc
ln(n) ln(n)
Answer: See the lecture notes for the proof of lim = 0. Similar to that proof obtain that lim = 0 for every
n→∞ n n→∞ nc
positive real number c.

8
MAT 1032 Calculus II – Answers to Homework 1: True False Questions for Sequences, Date: 10.07.2015 Instructor: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu Page 9 of 10

91. FALSE Let r ∈ R. Then the sequence (rn )∞

n=1 is convergent if and only if |r| > 1 or r = 1.
Answer: (rn )∞
n=1 is convergent if and only if |r| < 1 or r = 1 (see the lecture notes for the proof).

92. FALSE If |r| < 1, then lim rn = 1.

n→∞
Answer: If |r| < 1, then lim rn = 0. See the lecture notes for the proof of this frequently used limit.
n→∞

n!
93. FALSE lim = 1.
n→∞ 10n
xn
Answer: Remember that we have proved in the lectures that for every real number x, lim = 0. So for x = 10, we obtain
n→∞ n!
10n n! n! 1 1
lim = 0. Since n > 0 for all n ∈ Z+ , we obtain lim = lim = + = ∞.
n→∞ n! 10 n→∞ 10n n→∞ 10n /n! 0
 n
1
94. FALSE lim 1 − = e.
n→∞ n  x n
Answer: Remember that we have proved in the lectures that for every real number x, lim 1 + = ex . So for x = −1, we
 n  n n→∞ n
1 −1
obtain lim 1 − = lim 1 + = e−1 .
n→∞ n n→∞ n
 ∞
sin n
95. FALSE The sequence is a divergent sequence.
n2 n=1
−1 sin n 1
Answer: Since | sin n| 6 1, that is, −1 6 sin n 6 1 for all n ∈ Z+ , we have 6 6 2 for all n ∈ Z+ . Since
n2 ∞n2 n
−1 1 sin n
lim = 0 = 2 , we obtain by the Sandwich Theorem that the sequence is a convergent sequence with
n→∞ n2 n n2 n=1
sin n
lim = 0.
n→∞ n2

96. TRUE Let (an )∞

n=1 be a sequence of positive real numbers:

an > 0 for all n ∈ Z+ .

For every n ∈ Z+ , let

X
n
sn = ak = a1 + a2 + . . . + an ,
k=1

Then (sn )∞
n=1 is an increasing sequence.
Answer: This is clear since an > 0 for all n ∈ Z+ . Because for all n ∈ Z+ ,

X X
n+1
" n #
sn+1 = ak = a1 + a2 + . . . + an + an+1 = ak + an+1 = sn + an+1 > sn since an+1 > 0.
k=1 k=1

That is, sn+1 > sn for all n ∈ Z+ which means that (sn )∞
n=1 is an increasing sequence.

97. FALSE Let (an )∞

n=1 be a sequence of positive real numbers:

an > 0 for all n ∈ Z+ .

For every n ∈ Z+ , let

X
n
sn = ak = a1 + a2 + . . . + an ,
k=1

Then (sn )∞
n=1 is convergent.
Answer: By the previous question, (sn )∞ ∞
n=1 is an increasing sequence. By the Monotone Convergence Theorem, (sn )n=1 is
∞ ∞
convergent if and only if (sn )n=1 is a bounded sequence. So it is not always true that (sn )n=1 is convergent. For a very
P Pn
simple example, take an = 1 for all n ∈ Z+ . Then for every n ∈ Z+ , sn = n k=1 ak = k=1 1 = n, and so the sequence
(sn )∞ ∞
n=1 = (n)n=1 diverges to ∞, it is not convergent.

98. FALSE If an → L and bn → ∞, then an bn → ∞.

Answer: For example, if an = 0 for all n and bn = n for all n, then an → 0 and bn → ∞ but an bn 9 ∞.
99. TRUE If an → 0, bn → 1, then an bn → 0.
Answer: Since bn → 1, (bn )∞ ∞
n=1 is a bounded sequence. We have more generally that if an → 0 and (bn )n=1 is bounded, then
an bn → 0 (see the lecture notes for its proof). Or use the theorem for the convergence of the product of convergent sequences:
if an → L for some real number L and an → M for some real number M, then an bn → LM.
100. FALSE If (an )∞ 2 ∞
n=1 is divergent, then (an )n=1 is divergent.
Answer: For example, for an = (−1)n , (an )∞ 2 ∞ 2
n=1 is divergent, but (an )n=1 is convergent since an = 1 for all n.

101. FALSE If (an )∞ ∞ ∞

n=1 is convergent and (bn )n=1 is bounded, then (an bn )n=1 is convergent.
Answer: For example, for an = 1 for all n and bn = (−1)n for all n, (an )∞ ∞
n=1 is convergent and (bn )n=1 is bounded but
(an bn )∞
n=1 is divergent since a b
n n = (−1) n
for all n.

9
MAT 1032 Calculus II – Answers to Homework 1: True False Questions for Sequences, Date: 10.07.2015 Instructor: Celal Cem Sarıoğlu Page 10 of 10

an
102. FALSE If an → 0 and bn → L, then → 0.
bn
1 an
Answer: For example, let an = = bn for all n ∈ Z+ . Then an → 0 and bn → 0 (so L = 0 in this case) but → 1.
n bn
103. TRUE If an → L and bn → ∞, then an + bn → ∞.
Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
104. FALSE If an → ∞ and (bn )∞
n=1 is bounded, then an bn → ∞.
Answer: For example, for an = n and bn = 0 for all n, an → ∞ and (bn )∞
n=1 is bounded but an bn = 0 9 ∞.

105. TRUE If an → ∞ or an → −∞, then |an | → ∞.

Answer: See the lecture notes for its proof.
106. FALSE If |an | → ∞ and bn > an for all n ∈ Z+ , then bn → ∞.
Answer: Let an = bn = (−1)n n. Then |an | = n → ∞ and bn = an > an for all n ∈ Z+ . But bn 6→ ∞.

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