Sequence and Series

CHAPTER ONE

SEQUENCE AND SERIES

1.1 Sequences

Definition: A sequence is a function whose domain is the set of all integers greater than

or equal to a given integer m(usually 0 or 1).

Notation: For an integer n, the image of n under the sequence f is denoted by an and the

sequence a1 , a 2 , a3 , , is denoted by an n1 .

 k 
 1 1 1  1   1 1   1  
Example: 1. 1, , , ,     2. 1, , ,    
 2 3 4   n  n1  2 4   2   k 0

1.2 Convergence properties of sequences.


Definition: Let a n n1 be a sequence. A number L is the limit of an if and only if   0  a
positive integer N  n  N  a n  L   .

- In this case we write lim a n  L. ( a n  L as n   )

n 

- If such a number L exists, we say that a n n1 is convergent and converges to L.

Otherwise, we say that a n n1 diverges.

1
Example: 1. Show that: lim    0.
n
n

Solution: Let   0 be given.

1
Then we need to find a positive integer N  n  N   0  .
n

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1 1 1 1 1
Now,  0        n  . Choose N  .
n n n  

1 1 1 1 1
i.e.   0  N   n  N       0  .
  n n n

1
 lim    0.
n n
 

 n 
2. Show that: lim    1.
n
 n 1

n
Solution: Given   0 . Then we need to find an integer N  n  N  1  .
n 1
n n  n  1 1 1 1 1
Now, 1       n  . Choose N  .
n 1 n 1 n 1 n  

 n 
 lim    1.
n n  1
 

3. Prove that if lim a n  L , then lim an  L

n  n

 x , if x  0
Note: 1. x  
 x , if x  0

2. For k   , I) x  k   k  x  k . II) x  k  x  k or x   k .

3. x  y  x  y . ( triangle inequality)

4. x  y  x  y

Proof: Suppose lim a n  L .Then   0  an integer N  n  N  a n  L   .

n

Since an  L  an  L ,   0  +ve integer N  n  N  an  L  an  L   .

That is,   0  a positive integer N  n  N  a n  L   .

 lim an  L
n

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Sequence and Series


 1  n 
4. Show that the sequence    converges to 0.
 2   n 1

n
1
Solution: Given 0    1 . Then we need to find an integer N such that n  N     0   .
2
n n n
1 1 1 1 ln  1
Now,    0       ln    ln   n ln    ln   n   as ln    0
2 2 2 2 1 2
ln  
2
n
ln   lim  1   0.
Choose N  .
1 n  2
 
ln  
 2

5. Show that the sequence  1  n 

n 1 diverges.

Proof: proof by contradiction.

  1 , if n is odd
We have:  1  
n

 1 , otherwise

Suppose  1  n 
n 1 converges to L   , i.e. lim 1  L.
n 
n


n  N   1  L 
n
Then for 0    1  a positive integer N such that .
2
n 1 n 1
Now,  1
n
  1   1  L  L   1
n
  1n1  L   1n  L
 
  , provided that n  N 
2 2
  1
i.e.  1   1  1
n 1 n

 Suppose n is odd . Then  1n1   1n  1   1  2  2 

 
 Suppose n is even. Then  1n1   1n   1  1   2  2
 

 2 1 

 The sequence  1n   

n 1 diverges.

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Sequence and Series

  2n  n 
Exercise: Show that: a) lim    2. b) lim  2   0.
n
n n  n 
 n  1


Theorem: If a sequence a n n1 has a limit, then it is unique.

That is, lim a n  L and lim a n  M , then L=M.

n n

Proof: proof by contradiction.

Suppose lim a n  L and lim a n  M and L  M .

n n

Let   1 2 L  M  0 . Then:

i. Since lim a n  L ,  N 1  n  N 1  a n  L   2 .
n

ii. Since lim a n  M ,  N 2  n  N 2  a n  M   2 .

n

Let N  max .N1 , N 2  . Then a N  L   2 and a N  M   2 .

Now, L  M  L  a N  a N  M  L  a N  a N  M   2   2    1 2 L  M
L  M 1 2 L  M   L M

Theorem: (squeezing theorem for sequences)

  
Let an n1 , bn n1 and cn n1 be sequences such that an  bn  cn .


If lim an  L  lim cn ,then bn n1 converges and moreover lim bn  L .
n n n

Proof. Let   0 . Then:

i. Since lim a n  L ,  N1  n  N1  an  L  
n

ii. Since lim cn  L ,  N 2  n  N 2  cn  L   .

n

iii. Let N  max .N1 , N 2  .

Then n  N  a n  L    cn  L  
   a n  L       cn  L  
 L    an  L    L    cn  L  
 L    a n  bn  c n  L  
 L    bn  L       bn  L    bn  L   .

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Sequence and Series

i.e.,   0 N  n  N  bn  L   .
 lim bn  L
n

 sin 2 n   n! 
Example: Show that: a) lim    0. b) lim    0.
n n n
n 
 n   

0 sin 2 n 1 0 1
Solution: a) since 0  sin 2 n  1, we have:   . Also, lim  0  lim .
n n n n n n  n

 sin 2 n 
 By squeezing theorem, lim    0.
n 
 n 

b) Since,
n ! n n  1 n  2 n  3 1  1  2  3 1 1 n! 1
n
       1    1   1      i.e. 0  n  .
n n n n n n n  n n
 n n n n
1 1 1

1
Moreover, lim 0  0  lim .
n n n

 n! 
Hence, by squeezing theorem, lim  n 
 0.
n
n 

Definition: A sequence an n1 is said to be bounded if there is a positive real number M such
that an  M , n  1. Otherwise, we say that the sequence is unbounded.


1 1  
Example: Since  1 , n  1. The sequence   is bounded. While 2nn1 is unbounded as
n  n  n1
there is no positive number M such that 2n  M , n  1.


Theorem: 1. If a sequence an nm converges, then it is bounded.


2. If a sequence an nm is unbounded, then it diverges.


Proof: 1. Suppose an nm be a sequence converging to a real number L. i.e. lim a n  L .
n

Let 0    1 . Then  a positive integer N  n  N  an  L    1.

Now, an  an  L  L  an  L  L  1  L n  N 

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Sequence and Series


Let M=max. am , am1 , am2 ,  , a N .1  L 
Thus, we have an  M n  m .  an nm is bounded.

2. Exercise. (Countraposetive of 1)

Remark: The converse of theorem 1 is not generally true.

Example: Consider the sequence  1  

n 
n 1 . It is bonded but divergent.

 
Theorem: Suppose that the sequences an nm and bn nm converge to L and M respectively.

Then:

1. lim (an  bn )  lim an  lim bn  L  M . (addition rule)

n n  n

2. lim ( an  bn )  lim a n  lim bn  L  M . (subtraction rule)

n  n  n 

3. lim ( an  bn )  lim an  lim bn  L  M . (product rule)

n n n

a  lim an L
4. lim  n   n  ; provided that lim bn  M  0. (division rule)
n  b
 n  limn 
bn M n 

Proof: exercise.

Example. Determine whether the following sequences converge or diverge.

  
 n   n   n2 
a.   b.  2  c.  
 2n  1 n 1  2n  1 n 1 10n  5 n 1

n 1
Solution. a. Since  ( dividing each term by n), we have:
2n  1 2  1 n

 n   1  lim 1 1 1  n  1
n
lim    lim 
 
    .  lim   .
n 2n  1
  n  2  1 n  lim
n
2   lim
n
1 n  2  0 2 n  2 n  1
  2

n 1n 2
b. Since 2
 2
(dividing each term by n ), we have:
2n  1 2 1 n

 n   1n  lim 1 n  0  n 
  lim   n
lim 2   0.  lim  2   0.
n 2n  1
  n 2  1 n
2  lim 2  lim 1 n
 n n 
2
 
2  0 n  2 n  1
 

c. (exercise)

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
Definitions: 1. A sequence an nm is said to be:

I. Strictly increasing if an  an 1 n  m, m  1, .
II. Strictly decreasing if an  an 1 n  m, m  1, .
III. increasing if an  an 1 n  m, m  1, .
IV. decreasing if an  an 1 n  m, m  1, .

2. A sequence which is either strictly increasing or strictly decreasing is called strictly monotone.

3. A sequence that is either increasing or decreasing is called monotone.

Example. Show that the sequence:

 
a. 1 nn1 is strictly decrea sin g . b. 1  1 nn1 is strictly increa sin g.
Solution:

a. Let a n  1 n .Then a n1  1 n  1.

Now, n  1,2, , n  n  1  1 n  1 n  1  a n  a n1
 1 nn 1 is strictly decrea sin g .


b. Let a n  1  1 n .Then a n1  1  1 n  1.

Now, n  1,2, , n  n  1  1 n  1 n  1  1  1 n  1  1 n  1  a n  a n1 .
 1  1 nn1 is strictly increa sin g.



Theorem: A monotone bounded sequence, an nm converges.

 
Proof: WLOG suppose an nm is increasing. Since an nm is bounded M  0  an  M .

Let   0 and L be the least upper bound of an nm .Then L   is not an upper bound for

an nm .
Hence, N  L    a N  an  L  L   . n  N 
 L    an  L   n  N 
   an  L   n  N 
 an  L   n  N 

 lim an  L. i.e. an nm converges.



n


Example: The sequence an n1 is defined recursively by a1  2 and an1  2an .

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Sequence and Series


Show that: a. The sequence an n1 converges. b. lim an  2.
n

Solution: a) an n1  2, 2 2 , 2 2 2 ,

Since 2 2  2 , 2 2  2  a2  a1 .

Suppose an  an1  2an  2an1  2an  2an1  an1  an .


Hence, by principle of mathematical induction, an n1 is strictly increasing.

Also, a1  2  2.

Suppose an  2. Then 2an  4  2an  4  2  an1  2.


Again by principle of mathematical induction, an n1 is bounded sequence.


Thus, an n1 is bounded monotonic sequence.


Therefore, by the above theorem an n1 converges.

b) Let lim an  k . Then lim an 1  k .

n n 
2
2 2  
Now, a n1  2a n  a n 1  2a n .  lim a n 1  lim 2a n   lim a n1   2 lim a n
n n   n  n

 k 2  2k  k  0 or k  2 (but a n  2 n )
k  2  lim a n  2
n


Definition: Let an n1 be a sequence.

1. If for every positive number M there is a positive integer N  n  N  an  M . Then we


say that an nm diverges to  , and we write lim an  .
n

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Sequence and Series

2. If for every negative number M there is a positive integer N  n  N  an  M . Then we


say that an nm diverges to   , and we write lim an  .
n

2
Example: Show that lim n  .
n 

Solution: Let M  0. Then we need to find N  0  n  N  a n  M  n 2  M .

Now, n 2  M  n  M . Choose N  M .

That is, M  0 N  M  n  N  M  n  M  n2  M .

2
Hence, lim n  .
n

Theorem: Let an nm be a sequence, L a number and f a function defined on m 



 f n   an , n  m.


1. If lim f  x   L , then an nm converges and lim an  L.
x  n 

2. If lim f  x    , then a 
n n m diverges and lim an  .
x  n

 en 
Example: Show that: a) lim n n  1. b) lim    .
n n  n
 
1
Solution: a) Let f  x   x
x , x  0. Then f n   n  n . n n

1 ln x ln x 1
lim ( ) lim ( )
Now, lim f  x   lim x x  lim (e x
)  e x  x
 e x  x
( L ' Hopital ' s rule )
x  x  x 

 e 0  1.

Thus, lim n n  1.
n

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Sequence and Series

ex en
b) Let f  x   , x  0. Then f n  
x n

 en   ex 
Now, lim    lim    lim e x ( L' Hopital ' s rule)  .
n n  x   x  x 
 en 
 lim    .
n n
 

1.3 Definition of infinite series.

Definitions:

1. An infinite series is an expression that can be written in the form


a1  a2  a3     an . The numbers a1 , a2 , a3 ,  are called terms of the series.
n 1

2. Let a  th
n n1 be a sequence. For each positive integer k, the k partial sum , S k is the
sum of the first k-terms of the sequence. That is, S k  a1  a2  a3    ak .

3. If lim S k exists, we say that the series
k 
a
n 1
n converges and we call lim S k the sum of
k 


the series. Otherwise, we say that the series a
n 1
n diverges.


1
Example: Test for the convergence of  nn  1.
n 1

1 1 1 1
Solution: Let an  . Then   (show!)
nn  1 nn  1 n n  1

Now, S k  a1  a2  a3    ak 1  ak
 1   1 1  1 1   1 1  1 1  1
 1                    1
 2   2 3 3 4   k  1 k   k k  1 k 1
 1 
 lim S k  lim 1   1.
k  k 
 k  1
 
1 1
Since lim S k  1, the series
k 

n 1 nn  1
converges and  nn  1  lim S
n 1
k 
k  1.


1
Note: The series  nn  1 is called telescoping series.
n 1

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Sequence and Series

1.4 Properties of convergent series.


Theorem: 1. If a
n 1
n converges, then lim an  0.
n


2. If lim an  0 , then
n
a
n 1
n diverges.


Proof: 1. Suppose a
n1
n converges. Then  L    lim S k  lim S k 1  L.
k  k 

S n  a1  a2  a3    an1  an 
But ,   S n  S n1  an
S n1  a1  a2  a3    an1 
Now, lim an  lim S n  S n1   lim S n  lim S n1  L  L  0.
n  n  n  n 

 lim an  0.
n 

2) Countrapositive of 1.

Remark: If lim an  0 the series
n
a
n1
n may either converge or diverge.

 
 n   n   n 
Example: Consider the series   
n 1  n  1 
. Since lim 
n  n  1



 1  0 ,    diverges.
n 1  n  1 

Exercise: Test for the convergence of the following series.

 
1 1
a) 
n1 n
b) n
n 1
2


n
Definition: A series of the form  cr
n m
, where r and c are constants and c  0 is called a

geometric series.


n
Theorem: The geometric series  cr
n m
converges if and only if r  1. Moreover, for r  1 ,


cr m
 cr n 
n m 1 r
.

Proof: exercise.

Example: Test the convergence of the following geometric series, if possible find the sum.

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Sequence and Series

  1 n  n 2
2  3 7
a) 
n 3 3
n
b)   
n 2  2 
c)   
n1  5 

1
Solution: a) Since r   1, the geometric series converges and
3
3
1
  n 2 
2 1 3 1
 n
  2      .
n 3 3 n 3  3 
1 9
1
3
2
32
1 n n n  1 n  n  
3  3  3   3  2  3 32 2 3
b)Since           , we have :          2
2  2  2   2  3  n 2  2  n 2 2  3 
2
1
3

 1 n
 3 2 2  3
 Here c  2 , r  3  3  1 &m  2    
n 2  2 
2
 

 n2
7 7 7
c)Here r    1, the geometric series
5 5
  
n 1  5 
diverges.

1.5 Convergence tests for positive term/nonnegative term series

Definition: A series whose terms are non-negative is called non-negative series.(positive term
series)

Theorem: (The integral test)


Let an n1 be non-negative sequence and let f be a continuous, decreasing function defined on

[1 , ∞) such that f n   an , n  1 . The series a n converges if and only if the integral
n1


 f  x dx converges.
1


1
Example: Consider the series n.
n1

1 1
Here, an  . Let f x   , x  1 . Then f n   an , n  1 .
n x

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Sequence and Series

1
f x   is continuous and decreasing on [1 , ∞) . Also,
x
  l
1 1 l
 f  x dx   dx  lim  dx  lim ln x x1  lim ln l  .
1 1
x l 
1
x l  l 


1
Hence, by integral test n
n1
diverges.


1
Exercise: Show that: a) n
n1
p
( p-series) converges if and only if p>1.


1
b)  n ln n diverges.
n 2

Theorem: (comparison test)

 
1. If  bn converges and 0  an  bn n  1, then
n1
an1
n converges.

 
2. If  an diverges and 0  an  bn n  1, then
n1
b
n1
n diverges.

Example: check the convergence of the following series.

  
1 1 1
a)  2
n 1 n  1
b) 
n 2 ln n
c) 
n 2 n 1


1 
cos2 n
d)  n
n 1 2  1
e)  3
n 2 n  n  1

Solution: Method1. (Using comparison test)


1 1 1
For n  1, n 2  n 2  1  2
 2 . Also, n 2
converges (p-series test, p=2>1)
n 1 n n 1


1
Therefore, by comparison test, n
n 1
2
1
converges.

Method2. (Using integral test)

1 1
Here, an  2
. Let f x   2 , x  1 . Then f n   an , n  1 .
n 1 x 1

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Sequence and Series

1
f x   2
is continuous and decreasing on [1 , ∞) ( show!) . Also,
x 1
  l
1 1   
 f  x dx   2
x 1
dx  lim  2
l   x 1 l 
l
dx  lim tan 1 x  lim tan 1 l  tan 1 1    .
x 1 l   2 4 4
 
1 1 1

1
Hence, by integral test n
n 1
2
1
converges.


1 1 1
b) For n  2, n  e n  ln n  n   and  n diverges.
n ln n n 2


1
Thus, by comparison test,  ln n
n 2
diverges.

c, d & e (exercise)

Theorem: (limit comparison test)

 
a 
Let  an and b n be non-negative series. Suppose lim  n   L , L    .
n  b
n 1 n1  n
 
1. If  bn converges, then
n1
an1
n converges.

 
2. If  bn diverges, then
n1
a
n1
n diverges.

Example: check the convergence of the following series.

  
n 1 1 1
a)  2 b)  sin c) 
n1 n  3 n 1 n n 3
n1 n2  1

 
 n 
n 1  2   n2  
1
Solution: a) Take bn  2  3 . Now, lim  n  3   lim  2   1   . Also,  is
n n 1 n n  3  3
n2     n1
n 2
3
 
 n2 

n
convergent p-series (p= >1). Hence, by limit comparison test n n1
2
3
converges.

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Sequence and Series

1  1 n sin 1 n   sin 1 n  
1
b) Take bn  . Now, lim   lim   1    .( show!) Also, n is
n 2 2  2
n 
 1n 
n 
 1n  n 1


1 1
convergent p-series (p=2>1). Hence, by limit comparison test  n sin n
n 1
converges.

c) Exercise.

Theorem: (Ratio test)


a 
Let a n be non-negative series. Assume that an  0 n and that lim  n 1   r .
n  a
n1  n 

1. If 0  r  1 , then a
n1
n converges.


2. If r  1 or r   , then a
n1
n diverges.

3. If r  1 , the series may converge or diverge.

Example:1. Use the ratio test to determine whether the following series converge or diverge.


1 
nn 
1
a) 
n 1 n!
b) 
n 1 n!
c)  2n  1
n 1


1 a   n!  1
Solution: a) The series  n! converges, since r  lim  n1   lim    lim  0  1.
n 1
n  a
 n  n  
 n  1!  n   n  1

n n

nn a   n  1  1
B) The series  diverges, since r  lim n1   lim   lim 1    e  1.
n 1 n!
n  a
 n  n n  n 
 n

 a n 1   1 2n  1  2n  1
c) The ratio test is of no help since, r  lim    lim     lim  1.
 n  n 2(n  1)  1 1  n 2n  1
n a

However, the integral test proves that the series diverges since
  l l
1 1 1
 f  x dx   dx  lim  dx  lim ln 2 x  1  .
1 1
2x  1 l  
1
2x  1 l   2 x 1

1 1 3 1 3  5
Example: 2. Test for the convergence of the series:   
2 25 258

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Sequence and Series

1  3  5    2n  1 1  3  5    2n  12n  1

Solution : Here an  & an1 
2  5  8    3n  1 2  5  8    3n  13n  2 
an1 2n  1 a   2n  1  2
   lim  n1   lim    1
an 3n  2  n  n 3n  2  3
n  a

Thus, by the ratio test the series converges.

1 2! 3!
Exercise: 2. Test for the convergence of the series:   
5 5 2 53

Theorem: (Root test)


Let a
n1
n be non-negative series, and assume that lim n an  r.
n


1. If r  1 , then a
n1
n converges.


2. If r  1 or r   , then a
n1
n diverges.

3. If r  1 , the series may converge or diverge.

Example:1. Using the root test determine whether the following series converge or diverge.

n 2

 4n  5  
1 
nn
a)   
n 2  2n  1 
b) 
n 2 ln n 
n
c)  n  1
n1
n2

 n
 4n  5 
Solution: a) The series    diverges, since
n 2  2n  1 
1
1  4n  5  n  n  4n  5 
r  lim n an  lim an  n  lim     lim    2 1
n n n
 2n  1   n 2 n  1
 


1
b) The series  ln n
n 2
n
converges, since

1
1  1  n  n  1 
r  lim n an  lim an  n  lim     lim    0  1.
n  n  n 
 ln n   n ln n
 

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Sequence and Series

2 n2 n
nn  n   n  1 1
C) Here an  2    lim n a  lim
n    lim n
 1
n  1n  n 1 n  n  
 n  1 n  
 1
1  
e
 n
2

nn
Hence, by root test the series  n  1
n1
n2
converges.

1.6 Alternating series and alternating series test

 
n n 1
Definition: Series of the form   1 an
n 1
or   1
n 1
a n where a n  0 is called an alternating

series.

Theorem: (Alternating series test)

 
The series   1n an or   1n1 an
n1 n 1
converges if the following two conditions are satisfied.

I. an n1 is decreasing, and II. lim an  0.

n

Example: check the convergence of the following alternating series.

 
n 1 n 1  n 1
a)   1  n 
n1
b)   1
n 1

 n 



 1  1
Solution: a) Obviously, a 
n n 1    is decreasing, and lim  0.
n  n
 n n1

n 1
Therefore, by alternating series test   1  n  converges.
n1


 n 1 n1  n  1
b) Since lim 
n
 n 
  1  0,   1
n 1

 n 
 diverges.

Exercise: test the convergence of the following series.


cos  n
a) 
n 1 n
2 2 2
 1   1 3   1 3  5 
b) b)       
 2  24  246

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Sequence and Series

1.7 Absolute and conditional convergence

Definitions:
 
1. A series  an is said to converge absolutely if
n1
a
n 1
n converges.

  
2. A series  an is said to converge conditionally if  an converges, but
n1 n1
a
n 1
n

diverges.

 
n 1  n 1   1
Example:1. Consider the series   1 
n1
2 
n 
. Since   1 
n 1
2 
  2 is convergent p-
 n  n1 n

n  1 
series (p=2>1),   1  n
n1
2 

converges absolutely.


n 1
2. Consider the series   1
n 2 ln n
.

1 1 a ln n
Let an  .Then an1  . Now, n1   1  an1  an n  2
ln n ln( n  1) an ln n  1

 1   1 
  is decrea sin g , and lim    0.
 ln n n2 n ln n
 

n 1
 By alternating series test,   1
n 2 ln n
converges.

 
n 1 1
while   1
n 2

ln n n  2 ln n
diverges.


 n 1 1 1 
 For n  2, n  e  ln n  n  n  ln n , and  n diverges( int egral test )
n 2
 

 1 


 By comparison test 
n  2 ln n
diverges. 


n 1
Thus,   1
n 2 ln n
converges conditionally.

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Sequence and Series

1.8 Generalized convergence tests


Theorem: Let a
n1
n be a series.

1. Generalized comparison test.

 
If an  bn for n  1, and if  bn converges, then
n 1
a
n1
n converges absolutely.

2. Generalized limit comparison test

 
an
If lim  L, L    and if b n converges, then a n converges absolutely.
n  b
n n 1 n1

3. Generalized ratio test

an1
Assume that an  0 for n  1 and that lim  L.
n  an

i. If L  1 , then a
n1
n converges absolutely.


ii. If L  1 or L   , then a
n1
n diverges.

iii. No conclusion when L  1 .

4. Generalized root test
Suppose that and that lim n an  L.
n

i. If L  1 , then a
n1
n converges absolutely.


ii. If L  1 or L   , then a
n1
n diverges.

iii. No conclusion when L  1 .

Example: Test for absolute convergence of the following alternating series.


n 2
n 
2n  1!
a)   1
n 1 n!
b)   1
n 1
n

3n
Solution:
 n
an1 2 n 2
a) Since L  lim
n  an
 lim
n   n 1
 0  1,   1
n 1 n!
converges absolutely.


n 2n  1! diverges since,
b)   1
n 1 3n

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Sequence and Series

L  lim
an1
 lim
2n  1!  3n  1 lim 4n 2  2n  .
n  an n  3n1 2n  1! 3 n
Exercises.


n 2n !
1. Test for absolute convergence of the alternating series,   1
n 1 n100

 x  1
n
2. Find the values of x for which the series   1 n 2 converges absolutely.
n 2
n

2 n

WORKSHEET

1. Using the formal definition verify

 2n 2  2
 2n 
a ) lim 
n  n  3
2 b ) lim  2 
n   5n  1 

c ) lim n 2  n  n   1
    5 n  2

2. If lim a n  0 & bn n 1 is bounded, show that lim a n bn  0 .
n  n

for which lim a n 1   1 and


3. Give examples of sequences a 
n n 1
n   a 
 n 
i) lim a n  0 ii ) lim a n  1 iii ) lim a n  
n  n  n
  
4. If a 
n n 1 and b 
n n 1 are two convergent sequences, prove that a n bn n1 is also convergent
sequence. Give suitable example to show that the converse may not be true.
5. Find lim a n if it exists
n
n
 n2 1
a ) a n    b) a n  3 n  2  3 n  1
 n 
n 2 n!
d ) a n  tanh n e) a n 
n  2!

6. Show that the sequence a n n 1 defined recursively by a n 1  3a n , a1  1 is:
i) Bounded
ii) Monotonically increasing
iii) Converges to 3 i.e. lim a n  3 .
n 
7. Test the following series for convergence:

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Sequence and Series


1 
1 
1.3.5. 2n  3
a) 
n 1 n n  1n  2 
b) 
n 1 n  n 1
c)   1
n 1
n 1

2 n n!
2n

 
  
3 1
d) 2 3 n 1
e)  n! f) n4 1  n4 1
n 1 n 1 n 1
  
n! 1  1 cos n
g)
n 1 n
n
h ) 
n 1 n
ln 1 
 n
 i ) 
n 1 n
1 1.3 1.3.5 ln 2 ln 3 ln 4
j)     k ) 2  2  2  
2 2.5 2.5.8 2 3 4
8. Find the sum of the following series:
 
1 1 1 1 1
a)  b)  9n c)   
n 1 2n  12n  1 n 1
2
 3n  2 1 3 2  4 3  5

9. Test the convergence and absolute convergence of the following series:

  
1 sin n n 1 n
a)   1n
n 1
1
b)  2
n 1 n  1
c)   1
n 1 5n
n
n
n

2n n

n! 1  1 
d )   1 e)  n f )  2 ln 1  
n 1 n! n 1 n n 1 n  n

cos n 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
g) 
n 1 n
h) 1     
3! 5! 7!
i)   
ln 2 ln 3 ln 4 ln 5
 

xn
10. Show that lim  0.
n  n!

11. Find the radius of convergence and the interval of convergence of the following series:


xn 
n!2 
x 3n
a) 
n 2 ln n
b) 
n 1 2n!10
n
x n
c)   1n
n 1
3
n2
n

d )   1
xn n

3
e)     x  5
n

2n  1!x  2 n
n 1 n! n 1  4 
f) n 1 n3

n 2 ( x  2) n
g) 
n 1 (n  1)!

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Sequence and Series

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