06/10/2022 real analysis - Prove from first principles that the following sequence converges.

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Prove from first principles that the following sequence converges.

Asked 8 years, 7 months ago Modified 8 years, 7 months ago Viewed 3k times

an =
5n

2
. I know that (a n) → 0 , but when I go about proving it, I don't get anywhere.
4n −3

0 Let ϵ > 0 be given. Then |a n − 0| = |

5n

2
4n −3
| = (something I'm clearly missing) < ϵ .

If someone could bridge the gap, that'd be great. Thanks

real-analysis

Share Cite Follow asked Feb 16, 2014 at 22:57

beep-boop
11.1k 11 43 69

Can you prove that 1/(4n − 3) ≤ 1/2n , at least for n large enough? Does this help?
2 2

– Andrés E. Caicedo Feb 16, 2014 at 23:01

Note that if n ≥ 2 , then 4n 2

− 3 = 3n
2
+ n
2
− 3 > 3n
2
. – André Nicolas Feb 16, 2014 at 23:01

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2 Answers
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There is a bit of awkwardness in this question. To illustrate it I will first do a slightly simpler
question.
3
Problem. If

5n
an =
4n2 + 3

then a n → 0 .

Proof. Let ε > 0 . Choose N = 5/(4ε) . For any n > N we have

5n
|an − 0| =
2
4n + 3

5n
<
2
4n

5
=
4n

5
<
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06/10/2022 real analysis - Prove from first principles that the following sequence converges. - Mathematics Stack Exchange
<
4N

= ε .

We have shown: for any ε > 0 there exists N such that if n > N then |a n − 0| < ε . By
definition, this means that a n → 0 as n → ∞.

Comment. The obvious question is, where did N = 5/(4ε) come from? The answer is that
you would do some rough working first: you would do the algebra to get as far as

5
|an − 0| <
4N

and then you would say, we want this to equal ε, so what should N be? This is good for rough
work but would not be so good as a formal proof since a proof should have all the logic clearly
set out and in the right order. So we would then go back and write down a proof as I have done
above.

Another question. How did we get the line

5n 5n
<  ?
2 2
4n + 3 4n

Well, the denominator on the LHS is bigger than that on the RHS, so the whole LHS is smaller
than the RHS. And why did we do this anyway? - well just to make the expression simpler.
Keep this in mind and we'll go back to the question you asked.

If

5n
an =
2
4n − 3

we would like to say in the same way

5n 5n
|an − 0| = <  .
2 2
4n − 3 4n

Unfortunately the last step is now not true, so we have to be a bit smarter. One way to do it is
this: since we are interested in n → ∞, we may as well assume that n > 2. Then n > 3 and 2

we have

2 2 2 2
4n − 3 = 3n + (n − 3) > 3n  .

Therefore if n > N (note, we still don't know what N will be) then we have

5n 5n 5 5
|an − 0| = < = <  .
2 2
4n − 3 3n 3n 3N

As before, this will be equal to ε if N = 5/(3ε) . Remembering that we also need n > 2 we can
do the following.

Problem. If

5n
an =
2
4n − 3

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06/10/2022 real analysis - Prove from first principles that the following sequence converges. - Mathematics Stack Exchange

then a n
→ 0 .

Proof. Let ε > 0 . Choose N = max(2, 5/(3ε)). That is, N = 2 or N = 5/(3ε), whichever is
bigger. Let n > N . Note that this means both N > 2 and n > 5/(3ε) . Therefore we have

2 2
4n − 3 = ⋯ > 3n

and

|an − 0| = ⋯ < ⋯ = ε .

See if you can fill in the dots and write out a complete proof. Good luck!

Share Cite Follow edited Feb 16, 2014 at 23:33 answered Feb 16, 2014 at 23:25
David
78.2k 8 84 151

Hint:

1
5n 5n 5n 5
Use that ≤ = = .
2 2 2 2
4n − 3 4n − 3n n n

Share Cite Follow edited Feb 16, 2014 at 23:24 answered Feb 16, 2014 at 23:17
user84413
26.3k 1 25 63

Why not just use 4n 2

− 3n
2
in the first inequality? – Andrés E. Caicedo Feb 16, 2014 at 23:19

good suggestion - I'll do that instead! – user84413 Feb 16, 2014 at 23:20

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