Chapter 1: Infinite Sequences and Series Lecture 1: Sequences

Sequences Convergence & Divergence of Sequences Limit Laws of Sequences Monotone Sequences Bounded S
Chapter 1: Infinite Sequences and Series

Lecture 1: Sequences
Assoc. Prof. Mai Duc Thanh
Assoc. Prof. Mai Duc Thanh Chapter 1: Infinite Sequences and Series Lecture 1: Seq
Outline
1 Sequences
Outline
1 Sequences
2 Convergence & Divergence of Sequences
Outline
1 Sequences
3 Limit Laws of Sequences
Outline
1 Sequences
4 Monotone Sequences
Outline
1 Sequences
4 Monotone Sequences
5 Bounded Sequences
Sequences: Definition
A sequence: list of numbers
a1 , a2 , ..., an , ...
a1 : first term, a2 : second term, an : nth term
a1 , a2 , ..., an , ...
A sequence can be seen as a function f defined on the

set of positive integers or its subsets. We write an
instead of f (n).
a1 , a2 , ..., an , ...
A sequence can be seen as a function f defined on the

set of positive integers or its subsets. We write an
instead of f (n).
Notation: The sequence {a1 , a2 , a3 , ...} is also denoted

by {an } or {an }∞
n=1 .
Example 1: Sequences can be defined by giving

formula for the nth term. Note that n does not have
to start at 1. There are 3 common descriptions for
sequence:

sequence:
1) Using above notation:

n n o∞ n (−1)n (n + 1) o
,
n + 1 n=1 3n

sequence:

n n o∞ n (−1)n (n + 1) o
,
n + 1 n=1 3n
2) Using the defining formula:
n (−1)n (n + 1)
an = , an =
n+1 3n

sequence:

n n o∞ n (−1)n (n + 1) o
,
n + 1 n=1 3n
2) Using the defining formula:
n (−1)n (n + 1)
an = , an =
n+1 3n
3) Writing out terms of the sequence:
(−1)n (n + 1)

1 2 n −2 3 −4 5
, , ..., , ... , , , , , ..., , ...
2 3 n+1 3 9 27 81 3n
Example 2: Here are some sequences that don’t have

a simple defining equation.

(a) The sequence {pn }, where pn is the population of

the world as of January 1 in the year n.

(a) The sequence {pn }, where pn is the population of

the world as of January 1 in the year n.
(b) The Fibonacci sequence {fn } is defined

recursively by the conditions
f1 = 1, f2 = 1, fn = fn−1 + fn−2 n ≥ 3.
Each term is the sum of the two preceding terms.

The first few terms are
{1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 21, ...}
Graphing Sequences
Graph consists of isolated points with coordinates
(1, a1 ), (2, a2 ), (3, a3 ), ..., (n, an ), ...
Graphing Sequences
Graph consists of isolated points with coordinates
(1, a1 ), (2, a2 ), (3, a3 ), ..., (n, an ), ...
Figure shows that the sequence an = (n − 1)/n

approaches 1 as n becomes large.
Convergence & Divergence
n−1 1
The difference 1 − = can be made as small as
n n
we like by taking n sufficiently large. We indicate this
by writing limn→∞ n−1
n
= 1.
Convergence & Divergence
n−1 1
The difference 1 − = can be made as small as
n n
we like by taking n sufficiently large. We indicate this
by writing limn→∞ n−1
n
= 1.
Definition
A sequence {an } has the limit L and we write
lim an = L or an → L as n→∞
n→∞
if we can make the term an as close to L as we like by

taking n sufficiently large. If limn→∞ an exists, we say
{an } converges. Otherwise we say it diverges.
Theorem
If limx →∞ f (x ) = L, f (n) = an , n ∈ N, then
limn→∞ an = L.
Example 1
ln n
Find limn→∞
n
Example 1
ln n
Find limn→∞
n
Solution: Set
ln x
f (x ) =
x
L’Hospital rule gives
ln x 1/x
lim = lim =0
x →∞ x x →∞ 1
Therefore
ln n
lim = 0.
n→∞ n
Limit Laws
If
lim an = M, lim bn = N
n→∞ n→∞
and c = const, then
lim (an + bn ) = M + N, lim (an − bn ) = M − N

n→∞ n→∞
lim (can ) = cM
n→∞
lim (an bn ) = MN
n→∞
an M
lim = if N 6= 0
n→∞ bn N
lim anp = M p , if p > 0, an > 0
n→∞
Example 2
n
Find limn→∞
2n + 1
Example 2
n
Find limn→∞
2n + 1
Solution: We have
n 1 1 1
lim = lim = = .
n→∞ 2n + 1 n→∞ 1 2+0 2
2+
n
Example 3
2(−1)n n
Determine whether the sequence an = is
n+1
convergent or divergent
Example 3
2(−1)n n
n+1
Solution: For n even, n = 2m, m ∈ N, we have
2n 2
lim an = lim = lim =2
n→∞ n→∞ n+1 n→∞ 1 + 1/n
Example 3
2(−1)n n
n+1
2n 2
n→∞ n→∞ n+1 n→∞ 1 + 1/n
For n odd, n = 2m + 1, m ∈ N, we have

−2n −2
lim an = lim = lim = −2
n→∞ n→∞ n + 1 n→∞ 1 + 1/n
Example 3
2(−1)n n
n+1
2n 2
n→∞ n→∞ n+1 n→∞ 1 + 1/n
For n odd, n = 2m + 1, m ∈ N, we have

−2n −2
lim an = lim = lim = −2
n→∞ n→∞ n + 1 n→∞ 1 + 1/n
So an does not approach any number. Thus, limn→∞ an

does NOT exist. The sequence {an } is divergent
Theorem (Squeeze Theorem)

If an ≤ bn ≤ cn for n ≥ n0 and
limn→∞ an = limn→∞ cn = L then limn→∞ bn = L.

sin(n3 − 4n + 2)
Example 4: Evaluate limn→∞ .
n

sin(n3 − 4n + 2)
n
Solution: −1 ≤ sin(n3 − 4n + 2) ≤ 1
−1 sin(n3 − 4n + 2) 1
So ≤ ≤
n n n

sin(n3 − 4n + 2)
n
Solution: −1 ≤ sin(n3 − 4n + 2) ≤ 1
−1 sin(n3 − 4n + 2) 1
So ≤ ≤
n n n
1 −1
limn→∞ = limn→∞ =0
n n

sin(n3 − 4n + 2)
n
Solution: −1 ≤ sin(n3 − 4n + 2) ≤ 1
−1 sin(n3 − 4n + 2) 1
So ≤ ≤
n n n
1 −1
limn→∞ = limn→∞ =0
n n
sin(n3 − 4n + 2)
lim =0
n→∞ n
Theorem
If limn→∞ |an | = 0 then limn→∞ an = 0.
Theorem
(−1)n
n
Theorem
(−1)n
n
Solution:
(−1)n

lim = lim 1 = 0
n→∞ n n→∞ n
Therefore
(−1)n
lim = 0.
n→∞ n
Sequences and Continuous Function
Theorem
If limn→∞ an = a and f is continuous at x = a, then
lim f (an ) = f (a)

n→∞
Theorem
lim f (an ) = f (a)

n→∞
Example 5: Find limn→∞ sin(π/n)
Theorem
lim f (an ) = f (a)

n→∞
Example 5: Find limn→∞ sin(π/n)

Solution: Because the sine function is continuous, so
lim sin(π/n) = sin( lim (π/n)) = sin(0) = 0.

n→∞ n→∞
Monotone Sequences
Definition
A sequence {an } is called increasing if
an < an+1 , ∀n ≥ 1. It is called decreasing if
an > an+1 , ∀n ≥ 1. It is called monotonic if it is
either increasing or decreasing.
Monotone Sequences
Definition
A sequence {an } is called increasing if
an < an+1 , ∀n ≥ 1. It is called decreasing if
an > an+1 , ∀n ≥ 1. It is called monotonic if it is
either increasing or decreasing.
Example: The sequence {3/(n + 5)} is decreasing

because
3 3 3
> = , ∀n ≥ 1.
n+5 (n + 1) + 5 n+6
Bounded Sequences
Definition
A sequence {an } is bounded above if ∃M such that
an ≤ M, ∀n ≥ 1.
It is bounded below if ∃m such that
an ≥ m, ∀n ≥ 1.
If it is bounded above and below, then {an } is a

bounded sequence
Bounded Sequences
Definition
A sequence {an } is bounded above if ∃M such that
an ≤ M, ∀n ≥ 1.
It is bounded below if ∃m such that
an ≥ m, ∀n ≥ 1.
If it is bounded above and below, then {an } is a

bounded sequence
Ex: Sequence an = n is bounded below (by 0), but not

above. The sequence an = n/(n + 1) is bounded
because 0 < an < 1, ∀n.
Monotonic Sequence Theorem
Theorem
Any monotonic, bounded sequence is convergent.
Monotonic Sequence Theorem
Theorem
Any monotonic, bounded sequence is convergent.
Example: Investigate the sequence {an } defined by

recurrence relation:
1
a1 = 2, an+1 = (an + 6), n = 1, 2, 3, ...
2
Hint: -Using mathematical induction, we can prove
that an is increasing
-Verify that an is bounded from above by 6.
Exercises
1) Show that the following sequence is convergent and

find its limit
r q
√ √ √
q
{ 2, 2 2, 2 2 2, ...}
√ √
2) A sequence {an } is given by a1 = 2, an+1 = 2 + an .
a) Show that an is increasing and bounded above by 3
b) Find limn→∞ an .
Homework Chapter 1
Textbook: J. Stewart, Calculus, 7th Edition, 2012

-Section 11.1: 25, 29, 34, 39, 44, 50, 74, 79, 81
-Section 11.2 : 28, 30, 32, 36, 40, 45
-Section 11.3 : 3, 5, 12, 16, 19, 20
-Section 11.4: 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 27, 28
-Section 11.5 : 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16
-Section 11.6 : 5, 9, 10, 16, 18, 22
-Section 11.8 : 4, 8, 12, 16, 20

Chapter 1: Infinite Sequences and Series Lecture 1: Sequences

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Sequences Convergence & Divergence of Sequences Limit Laws of Sequences Monotone Sequences Bounded S

Chapter 1: Infinite Sequences and Series

Assoc. Prof. Mai Duc Thanh

2 Convergence & Divergence of Sequences

2 Convergence & Divergence of Sequences

3 Limit Laws of Sequences

2 Convergence & Divergence of Sequences

3 Limit Laws of Sequences

2 Convergence & Divergence of Sequences

3 Limit Laws of Sequences

A sequence: list of numbers

a1 : first term, a2 : second term, an : nth term

A sequence: list of numbers

a1 : first term, a2 : second term, an : nth term

A sequence can be seen as a function f defined on the

A sequence: list of numbers

a1 : first term, a2 : second term, an : nth term

A sequence can be seen as a function f defined on the

Notation: The sequence {a1 , a2 , a3 , ...} is also denoted

Example 1: Sequences can be defined by giving

Example 1: Sequences can be defined by giving

1) Using above notation:

Example 1: Sequences can be defined by giving

1) Using above notation:

Example 1: Sequences can be defined by giving

1) Using above notation:

Example 2: Here are some sequences that don’t have

Example 2: Here are some sequences that don’t have

(a) The sequence {pn }, where pn is the population of

Example 2: Here are some sequences that don’t have

(a) The sequence {pn }, where pn is the population of

(b) The Fibonacci sequence {fn } is defined

Each term is the sum of the two preceding terms.

{1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 21, ...}

(1, a1 ), (2, a2 ), (3, a3 ), ..., (n, an ), ...

(1, a1 ), (2, a2 ), (3, a3 ), ..., (n, an ), ...

Figure shows that the sequence an = (n − 1)/n

Convergence & Divergence

Convergence & Divergence

if we can make the term an as close to L as we like by

and c = const, then

lim (an + bn ) = M + N, lim (an − bn ) = M − N

For n odd, n = 2m + 1, m ∈ N, we have

For n odd, n = 2m + 1, m ∈ N, we have

So an does not approach any number. Thus, limn→∞ an

Theorem (Squeeze Theorem)

Theorem (Squeeze Theorem)

Theorem (Squeeze Theorem)

Theorem (Squeeze Theorem)

Theorem (Squeeze Theorem)

Sequences and Continuous Function

lim f (an ) = f (a)

Sequences and Continuous Function

lim f (an ) = f (a)

Example 5: Find limn→∞ sin(π/n)

Sequences and Continuous Function

lim f (an ) = f (a)

Example 5: Find limn→∞ sin(π/n)

lim sin(π/n) = sin( lim (π/n)) = sin(0) = 0.

Example: The sequence {3/(n + 5)} is decreasing

It is bounded below if ∃m such that

If it is bounded above and below, then {an } is a

It is bounded below if ∃m such that