Monotonic sequences

A sequence {xn} is said

to be monotonic increasing if x^+l 2 Xn V n EN, and
monotonic decreasing if xpt+1 S Xn V n EN.

It is said to be monotonic if it is either monotonic

increasing or monotonic decreasing.
A sequence {xn} is strictly increasing if xn+1> xn V n EN, and strictly decreasing if
Xp+1Xn n EN.

Monotonic sequences either converge or diverge, but cannot oscillate.

Examples-
1. The sequence {1,2,3, . .
. , n, ...} is strictly increasing.
2. 1, . n
.

}is strictly decreasing

3. 2,2, 4,4, 6, 6, ...
is monotonic increasing
4. {0, 1, 0, 1,0, 1, . . .
} is not monotonic.
Question and solutions-

1. Show that every bounded monotonically increasing sequence converges.

Sol". Let { x} be a bounded monotonicaly increasing sequence. Suppose S= {Xn: n EN}
denotes its range. Then S is a non-empty set which is bounded above. Therefore by
completeness property, S has least upper bound (the supremum).

Let M be its supremum. We show that { xn} converges to M.

Let &>0 be given. Then M- E < M. So M- e is not an upper bound of S. Hence

there exists a positive integer m such that

Xm M-6.
Since { xn} is monotonically increasing sequence, therefore
XnXm M - 6 , Vn2m (1)
Also, since M is the supremum of S, therefore
xn M <M+¬, V n eN . . (2)
From (1) and (2), we get
M-E < x, < M + E, Vn2m
x-M|<E, V n2 m
Xnconverges and lim xnM.

2.
2. Show that every bounded monotonically decreasing sequence converges.

(Process of proof is similar to sol". of 1)

 Sol'. Let { xa} be a bounded monotonically decreasing sequence. Suppose S= {x,:n EN}
denotes its range. Then S is a non-empty set which is bounded below. Therefore by
completeness property, S has greatest lower bound (the infimum).

Let be its infimum. We show that { xn} converges to l.

Let e>0 be given. Then + e > 1. So 1+ s is not an lower bound of S. Hence there
exists a positive integer m such that
mI+&.
Since {xn} is monotonically decreasing sequence, therefore
XnXml+ 8, V n2mn . . (1)
Also, since I is the infimum of S, therefore
Xn1 >l- s, V n EN (2)
From (1) and (2), we get
I- e < x <l+ &, V n>m

Xn-I |<e, V n2m.

Xnconverges and lim x,=l.

3. Monotone convergence theorem- A monotone sequence is convergent if and only if it is

bounded
Sol". Let Vn be a convergent monotone sequence. Then being a convergent sequence, it is
bounded.
Conversely, let {xn} be a bounded monotone sequence. Then {x,} is either increasing or
decreasing sequence.
Now follow the solutions of 1 and 2.

4. Show that every bounded monotonically increasing sequence converges to its supremum
Sol" (Same as sol". of 1; just start from- Let M be its supremum)
5. Show that every bounded monotonically increasing sequence converges to its supremum
Sol". (Same as sol". of2; just start from- Letl be its infimum )

6. Show that the sequence {xn }, where x,-1 is convergent and that lim
n-
1+
lies between 2 and 3.
 mple 11. Show that sequence {S.} where (1+.
1 3.
Convergent and that lim 1+ lies between 2 and

is a positive integer, We
Expanding by Binomial theorem, since
n

bave
nin-1)
S.-14-1+m. + 2 n2

nn-1)...3.2.1 1
+

=1+1+Fi )2 1-

+ 1-)-(1)
Since each term beyond the first on the R.H.S. is an increasing
function of n, it follows that {S,} is a monotonic increasing sequence.
Again since each bracket on the R.H.S. is positive therefore We have
1 1
2<Sh1+jt+3 t ....+ n
1+1+ + +.....+ 27-1< 3.
2<S < 3.
Thus {S.} is a bounded and monotonic
has a limit, which is generally denoted by
increasing sequence and so
e.

lim 1+
n
=e where 2 < e < 3.
 Example 13. Show that the
sequence {S,} where
S,= + ..4+ is convergent.
2
Now S+1-S = >0 Vn.
n+1
The sequence is monotonic increasing.
1 1
Again, S. + F.....
n
1
2-1
1
1
= 2
1
2
2n+1
2
0< S, < 2.
. The sequence is bounded.
Thus the sequence {S,}, being bounded and monotonic increasing,
iS convergent.
7. Show that the sequence N, 1. where

+.+ is convergent.
n+I n+2 1+3 ntn

Sol". We have.

+. +
+2 n+3

2+1 2n+2 n+1)

((2n+2)+(2n+1)-2(2n+1)
2(n+1)2n+2)
1 >0, Vn e N
2(n +1)(2n+2)
Therefore the sequence is monotonic increasing.
1
Now, x,1= x, =+ . +1
n+1 n+2 n+3 n+n

+. - = n. = 1
nn n n n

i.e., xn|< 1, VneN

Therefore the sequence is bounded. Thus { x,} is bounded and monotonic increasing sequence
Hence it is convergent.

Remark: We can prove the convergence or divergence in different way.

8. Show that the sequence { n }, where xn=n

s + sConver
convergent.

( Different methods are shown)

Sol". a) We have, lim x, = lim
n- n->on+1

lim T 0
no
1+
Hence xn is convergent.

b) Using the definition of limit-

Here we show that { Xnconverges to 0.

Let e be any positive number.

We have, |Xn-0|= |Xn e ifn >

 Let m be a positive integer greater than
&
Thus to > 0, there exists a positive integer m, such that

X-0 <6 Vn2 m.

Therefore, lim x, =0.

n-o

c) Using monotone convergence theorem-

We have,
n+1
Xn+1Xn ..<0, VneN. (Try it)
(n+1) +1n+1
Therefore, Xn+1 , VneNand so { xn} is monotonic decreasing sequence.
Also, x,n >0, V n e N.
Thus } is a bounded monotonically decreasing sequence. So it is convergent and convergent
to its infimum.
Since limx, =0, therefore inf {x,} =0.
d Using Sandwich theorem-
n
We have, Xn +1
= =

Thus 0 < X, < +, VneN

n

Since lim 0
Since =0 and lim =
0, therefore by Sandwich theorem lim x=0
no n n n-0
 1Cn) Wnere Ca
THEOREM 12. 1f {a,, {b,}, {c,} are three sequences such tha
(i) a, b, S Cm»
and (ii) lim a, lim cn
=

then lim b,, = .

Let e> 0 be given.
Now since {a,.), {c,} both converge to , theretore 3
integers mi, m2, such that
positive
a-|<e, n
2)
and nm2
C |<E,
Let m =
(m, ma)
max
then, for n>m, we have from (1), (2), (3)
-E a, b , e < ! + e .
I- s < b, <1 +e, n m.
b,- 1 |<E, n2m.
Hence lim b, =Fl
Example 6. Show that the sequence {b.} where
1 1
L(n+1*T(n+2 * (2nConverges to zero.
n
Evidently 2n)* b ,
- -

n.

n.

Now the sequences {a,, {cn} where

a,,= and c, = are such
that
i) a,b,<c
and (ii) lim a, lim =
c, =
0.
lim b, 0. =

Ex. 1. Show that the

sequence <tn) where

(n+1) Vn+2) n)
converges to 1.
 Solution. We have
n
n
Vn+n
StS1
V1+(1/n)
Now the 1 and = 1 are such
sequences (sn). (4n) Wnere
Sn T+(1/2)
that

and
lim s, = lim 4, = 1.
Her lim t,= 1
Froman