Convergence using theorems

1. Show the following

1
i an = n n −→ 1
ii bn = (x1 x2 x3 )1/n −→ 1
iii bn = (n!)1/n > 4
iv If r > 1, then rn −→ ∞
v rn −→ 0, if |r| < 1.
ˆ Proof i) Take ln an = ln n
n −→ 0 as n −→ ∞. Thus an = eln an −→ e0 = 1
Note that the proof works for the limit a1/n −→ 1 for any positive number a.
ˆ ii) Take ln bn = ln x1 +lnnx2 +ln x3 = lnnx1 + lnnx2 + lnnx3 −→ 0. Thus bn = eln bn −→ e0 = 1
Note that the proof works for the product of any finite number of terms, and not just
the product of three terms.
 1/n  1/n
1/n 4
ˆ iii) bn = 1.2.3.4
| {z } .5 · · · n > 241/n |4.4.4{z· · · 4} = 241/n 4n−4 = 241/n 41− n −→
1 × 4 = 4.
Note that 1) the proof of iii) can be generalized to any number M > 0 instead of 4.
2) Contrast the result with ii).
ˆ iv) Take the logarithm ln rn = n ln r −→ ∞. It follows, rn −→ ∞.
ˆ v) Since |r| < 1, there exists a c > 1, such that |r| < 1/c (Archimedean property of
the real numbers). Thus |r|n < 1/cn −→ 0 (because cn −→ ∞ by iv). we can give an
alternate proof using logarithm as in the proof of iv).
√
2. Let the sequence {sn }∞1 be defined as s1 = 0 and sn+1 = 1 + sn . Show that {sn }∞
1 converges
to a limit s and find s.

ˆ We use the MCT. To do that, we show that {sn } is bounded and monotone. By the
MCT, it must converge.
a) We use induction to show sn < 2.
√ √ √
– For n = 1, s2 = 1 + s1 = 1 + 1 = 2 < 2.
– Assume sn < 2 and show sn+1 < 2. write
√
sn+1 = 1 + sn
√
< 1 + 2 (by induction assumption sn < 2)
√
< 3
< 2

b) We use induction to show that {sn } is increasing

√ √
* s1 = 1 < 1 + 1 = 1 + s1 = s2 . Thus the property is true for n = 1.
* Assume sn > sn−1 and show sn+1 > sn . In fact,
√
sn+1 = 1 + sn
p
> 1 + sn−1 (why?)
= sn

c) we have shown that sn ↗ and bounded. By the MCT it must converge to a limit s.

1
 d) How do we find s? Since sn −→ s, all the terms sn will be near the limit s for large
enough √
n (i.e, for n > N , where
√ N ∈ I). Thus if we take the limit of both sides of
sn+1 = 1 + sn , we get s = 1 + s. Now we solve for s.

s2 = 1+s
=⇒ s2 − s − 1 = 0
√
1± 1+4
=⇒ s = .
2

√
1+ 5
Since sn > 0, we choose the positive root s = 2 . Done!
ˆ Caution: The step in d) of taking the limits of both sides can not be done before proving
the limit of the sequence {sn } exists. Here is an an example that will illustrate the idea
Let an = 1, and an+1 = an + 1. Assume (without a proof) that an −→ a. Now take the
limit of both sides: limn−→∞ an+1 = limn−→∞ an + 1. It follows that a = a + 1 which
implies 0 = 1. The contradiction we got is due to the fact that this sequence does not
converge. In fact, a1 = 1, a2 = a1 + 1 = 2, a3 = a2 + 1 = 3, · · · , an = 1 + an−1 = n, · · ·.

Exercises
n o
1
1. Is an = 1+n2
monotone?
Proof There is a quick way to show monotonicity for the this sequence. Assume n is a
continuous variable x (not discrete like 1, 2, 3, · · ·), and take the derivative using the quotient
rule. ′
1 −2x

2
= .
1+x (1 + x2 )4
Since x > 0, and the denominator (1+x2 )4 > 0, the derivative is negative, and so the function
1
1+x2
is decreasing. In particular, an is decreasing.

2. Is an = {2n + (−1)n } monotone?

Sketch Notice here that the values of an are: 1, 5, 5, 9, 9, 13, 13, · · ·. This is still monotonically
increasing, albeit not strictly increasing. In other words, an ≤ an+1 and not an < an+1 . This
can be shown in various ways, one of which is induction on n.
2n3 +5n 1
3. Prove limn−→∞ 4n3 +n2
= 2
Proof

2n3 + 5n n3 2 + 5/n2


=
4n3 + n2 n3 (4 + 1/n)
2 + 5/n3
= .
4 + 1/n2

As n −→ ∞, 5/n3 and 1/n2 approach 0. Thus

2n3 + 5n 2 + 5/n3 1
lim = lim = .
n−→∞ 4n3 + n2 n−→∞ 4 + 1/n2 2

n2
4. Prove limn−→∞ (n−7)2 −7
= 1.

2
 100n
5. If an = n! . Find N ∈ I, the set of positive integers, such that an+1 < an (n > N ).
Proof So when is an+1 < an ? Replace each term with its value and solve the resulting
inequality.

100n+1 100n ×

100 100 · · · 100 ×
100
 100· · ·100

< =⇒ < .
(n + 1)! n! 1
× 2
× 3
× · · · × 
n × (n + 1) 1
× 2
× 3
× · · · × 
n

We end up with
100 1
< = 1.
n+1 1
Thus, for an+1 to be less than an , take n > 100. Then
100 100 100
< = < 1.
n+1 100 + 1 1001
It follows that an+1 < an .

6. For n a positive integer, let

1 · 3 · 5 · · · (2n − 1)
an = .
2 · 4 · 6 · · · 2n
Prove {an } is convergent and limn−→∞ an ≤ 21 .

7. Let
2 · 4 · 6 · · · 2n 1
an = · 2.
1 · 3 · 5 · · · (2n − 1) n
Show a1 > a2 > a3 . Is {an } non-increasing?

8. Let
1 + 2 + ···n
an = (n ∈ I).
n2
show that {an } is monotone and bounded, and that limn−→∞ an = 12 . Hint: Use the formula
1 + 2 + · · · n = n(n+1)
2 . Show that an is bounded above by 1. Guess whether an is increasing
or decreasing. Now prove your guess by setting the inequality you think to be true.
√
9. Let limn−→∞ bn = b > 0. Show limn−→∞ n b1 · b2 · b3 · · · bn = b.
1/2
10. Prove that if {an }∞ ∞
1 converges to 1, then {an }1 converges to 1. Hint: You can a logarithm
1/2
argument to show that ln an approaches 0.

11. Let rn −→ r. Using an ϵ-proof, use the inequality ||A| − |B|| ≤ |A − B| to prove |rn | −→ |r|.
√ √ √ 
12. What is the the value of the limit limn−→∞ n n+1− n ?
1 n
13. Given that limn−→∞ (1+1/n)n = e, show limn−→∞ (1+1/n)n+1 = e, and limn−→∞ (1+ n+1 ) =
e ( Write the limit theorems you use).
Proof Since
(1 + 1/n)n+1 = (1 + 1/n)n (1 + 1/n),
and 1/n −→ 0,

lim (1 + 1/n)n+1 = lim (1 + 1/n)n lim (1 + 1/n) = e(1) = e.

n−→∞ n−→∞ n−→∞

1
14. Let c1 = 0 and c2 = 1. Show cn+1 = 2 (cn + cn−1 ) converges to c. Find c

3
 √ √
15. Let cn+1 = 2 cn . show {cn } converges to c. Find c.
√ √ √ 
16. What is the the value of the limit limn−→∞ n n+1− n ?
  
2 1 1
17. Show the identity 1 + n = 1+ n+1 1+ n , then use it to prove
n
2

lim 1+ = e2 .
n−→∞ n

18. Give an example of sequences {an } and {bn } for which, as n −→ ∞,

a an −→ ∞, bn −→ −∞, an + bn −→ ∞
b an −→ ∞, bn −→ ∞, an − bn −→ 11

19. True or False? If {an } is oscillating and not bounded, and {bn } is bounded, then {an + bn } is
oscillating and not bounded.