MATH 137 PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT 3 SOLUTIONS

1. Assuming lim an = lim bn = 0 where an ≥ 0 and bn ≥ 0, determine

n→∞ n→∞

lim (an sin(n) + bn cos(n)) .

n→∞

Solution
In general we have that
an sin(n) + bn cos(n) ≤ an + bn
and
an sin(n) + bn cos(n) ≥ −an − bn

So we can say
−an − bn ≤ an sin(n) + bn cos(n) ≤ an + bn
Therefore, since
lim an + bn = 0 = lim −an − bn
n→∞ n→∞

we get
lim an sin(n) + bn cos(n) = 0
n→∞

by the Squeeze Theorem.

2. Let’s examine how absolute values and limits interact.
(a) The statement
If lim |an | = |L| then lim an = L
n→∞ n→∞
is false in general. Provide a counter-example.

(b) The statement

If lim an = L then lim |an | = |L|
n→∞ n→∞
is true. Show this using the definition of limits. Hint: ||a| − |b|| ≤ |a − b|
(Not required: Can you show that the Hint is true?)

(c) Is the statement

If lim |an | = 0 then lim an = 0
n→∞ n→∞
true? If so, argue why, if not, provide a counterexample.

Solution

(a) Consider the sequence an = (−1)n . It satisfies lim |an | = 1 but lim (−1)n does not exist.
n→∞ n→∞
(b) If we’re going to use the definition then we need to find an expression for N such that
||an − |L|| <  whenever n > N
Since we know that an converges to L this means we are always able to find a value N , for any
, to make |an − L| <  once we cross the value N .
Now, using the hint we can say
||an | − |L|| < |an − L|
and so if we use the SAME N that we would use to make an and L within an  distance of one
another, then by the inequality above we will also make |an | and |L| within an  distance of one
another. That is
|an − L| <  ⇒ ||an | − |L|| < 
and so, when n > N (the crossing point N being the one for the |an − L| case) we get that both
|an − L| <  and ||an | − |L|| < . Equivalently
lim an = L ⇒ lim |an | = |L|
n→∞ n→∞

Aside: To show that the hint is true, note that

|a| = |a − b + b|
≤ |a − b| + |b| by the triangle inequality
⇒ |a| − |b| ≤ |a − b|
 Also

|b| = |b − a + a|
≤ |b − a| + |a| by the triangle inequality
⇒ −|b − a| ≤ |a| − |b|

Combining the last lines in each of these gives the statement

−|b − a| ≤ |a| − |b| ≤ |a − b|

which, since |a − b| = |b − a| and since −M ≤ x ≤ M is equivalent to |x| ≤ M we get the result

||a| − |b|| ≤ |a − b|

(c) TRUE: In general we have that

−|an | ≤ an ≤ |an |
and so if lim |an | = 0 then by the squeeze theorem lim an = 0.
n→∞ n→∞
Note that this is different from part (a) where the limit was going to an arbitrary value of L in
which case we couldn’t use the squeeze theorem as we would be stuck with something like

−L ≤ lim an ≤ L
n→∞

which tells us nothing about the convergence of the sequence an .

Aside: the inequality −|an | ≤ an ≤ |an | should make sense intuitively; Any value b is always
equal to one of |b| or −|b|.
3. Compute the following limits using any method.

sin(n2 )
(a) lim
n→∞ n2
3n − (−1)n
(b) lim
n→∞ n
 
n! n n!
(c) lim n Hint: Write n! = 1 · 2 · 3 . . . n and n = n · n · n . . . n and use the fact that 0 < n .
n→∞ n n
3n3 + 2n2 − n − 1
(d) lim
n→∞ n3 + n + 3
n2 + 2n − 6
(e) lim
n→∞ n+1

Solution

(a) Since −1 ≤ sin(·) ≤ 1 then we write

1 sin(n2 ) 1
− 2
≤ 2
≤ 2
n n n
1 1
and since lim − = lim = 0 then, by the squeeze theorem
n→∞ n2 n→∞ n2
sin(n2 )
lim =0
n→∞ n2
(b) Since 3n − 1 ≤ 3n − (−1)n ≤ 3n + 1 we can write
3n − 1 3n − (−1)n 3n + 1
≤ ≤
n n n
3n − 1 3n + 1
and since lim = lim = 3 then, by the squeeze theorem
n→∞ n n→∞ n
3n − (−1)n
lim =3
n→∞ n
(c) Using the hint we rewrite as
n! 1 · 2 · 3...n
n
=
n n · n · n...n
n!
and then using 0 < n
and the fact that n < 1, n3 < 1 . . . n−1
2
n
< 1 we can say
1 · 2 · 3...n 1
0< < · 1 · 1 · 1...1
n · n · n...n n
1
So, since lim = 0, by the squeeze theorem we get that
n→∞ n

n!
lim =0
n→∞ nn
(d) Here, we start by dividing all terms by n3 :
2 1 1
3 2
3n + 2n − n − 1 3+ − 2− 3
lim = lim n n n = 3 + 0 − 0 − 0 = 3.
n→∞ n3 + n + 3 n→∞ 1 3 1+0+0
1+ 2 + 3
n n

(e) This time, we divide all terms by n:

 
2 2 6
n + 2n − 6 1 + − n n2
lim = lim n 

n→∞ n+1 n→∞ 1 
1+
n
and so, by Example 13 on page 36 of the notes we see that the limit goes to ∞.
 7 + an
4. Define a sequence {an } by a1 = 1 and an+1 = for n ≥ 1.
6
(a) By induction, show that {an } is an increasing sequence that is bounded above by 2.
Solution:
First we prove that an is increasing using induction.
8 4
Base case: a1 = 1, a2 = = > 1, which means that a1 < a2 as required.
6 3
Inductive Hypothesis: Suppose ak < ak+1 for some k ≥ 1. Then we get

7 + ak 7 + ak+1
ak < ak+1 ⇒ 7 + ak < 7 + ak+1 ⇒ < ⇒ ak+1 < ak+2
6 6
as desired. Therefore, by mathematical induction, we have an < an+1 for all n ≥ 1.
Next, we show that the sequence is bounded above by 2 using induction:
Base case: a1 = 1 ≤ 2.
Inductive Hypothesis: Suppose ak ≤ 2 for some k ≥ 1. Then we get

7 + ak 9
ak ≤ 2 ⇒ 7 + ak ≤ 9 ⇒ ≤ ≤ 2 ⇒ ak+1 ≤ 2.
6 6
Therefore, by mathematical induction, we have an ≤ 2 for all n ≥ 1.
(b) Prove that this sequence is convergent and find lim an .
n→∞
Solution: Since the sequence is bounded above and increasing, it converges by the Monotone
Sequence Theorem. Therefore, the sequence has a limit, call it L. Then we get
7 + an 7+L
L = lim an = lim an+1 = lim = .
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞ 6 6
So we get
7+L 7
L= ⇒ 6L = 7 + L ⇒ 5L = 7 ⇒ L = .
6 5
 √ √
5. Define a sequence {an } by a1 = 2 and an+1 = 2 + an .

(a) By induction, show that {an } is an increasing sequence that is bounded above by 3.
Solution: First we prove that an is increasing and bounded below by zero using induction:
√ √ p √
Base Case: a1 = 2 > 0 and a1 = 2 < 2 + 2 = a2 .

Inductive Hypothesis: Suppose 0 < ak < ak+1 for some k ≥ 1. Then we get
√ √ p √
0 < ak < ak+1 ⇒ 2 < 2 + ak < 2 + ak+1 ⇒ 2< 2 + ak < 2 + ak+1 ⇒ 2 < ak+1 < ak+2

as desired. Therefore, by mathematical induction, the sequence is increasing and bounded below
by zero.
Next, we show that
√ the sequence is bounded above by 3 using induction:
Base Case: a1 = 2 ≤ 3.
Inductive Hypothesis: Suppose ak ≤ 3 for some k ≥ 1. Then we get
√ √
ak ≤ 3 ⇒ 2 + ak ≤ 5 ⇒ 2 + ak ≤ 5 ≤ 3 ⇒ ak+1 ≤ 3

as desired. Therefore, by mathematical induction, the sequence is bounded above by 3.

(b) Find lim an .
n→∞
Solution: Since the sequence is bounded above and increasing, it converges by the Monotone
Sequence Theorem.√Therefore, the√sequence has a limit, call it L. Note that the sequence is
bounded below by 2, since a1 = 2 and the sequence is increasing. Then we get
√ √
L = lim an = lim an+1 = lim 2 + an = 2 + L.
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞

So we get
√
L = 2 + L ⇒ L2 = 2 + L ⇒ L2 − L − 2 = 0 ⇒ (L − 2)(L + 1) = 0 ⇒ L = 2 or − 1.

But L 6= −1 since that is lower than the lower bound of the sequence. Hence L = 2.