ECM1702

AMM

Convergence of Sequences
Definition 1 We say an infinite sequence an converges to a limit L if for every there is an N such
that
for all n > N
L an L
We can also write
an L as n

lim an L

or

If there is no such L, we say the sequence diverges or the limit does not exist.
Theorem 1
finite limit.

If an infinite sequence is increasing and bounded above then it must converge to a

If a sequence an is such that an 0 for sufficiently large n and

Similarly, if an 0 for sufficiently large n and

1
0 we say that an .
an

1.

Standard sequence limits (may be quoted without proof)

1
If p 0 then
and
lim p 0
n n

2.

If r R and r 1 then
r 1

r 1
r 1

1
0 we say that an .
an

lim n p

lim r n 0

geometric sequence

lim r n

lim r n 1

constant sequence

lim r n does not converge

sequence oscillates

ln na

3.

If a R and b 0 then

4.

If a R and p 1 then

5.

If c R then

cn
0
n n!

6.

If a 0 then

lim a n 1

lim

lim

nb
na
pn

powers beat logs

exponentials beat powers

lim

factorials beat exponentials

and

lim n n 1

7.

If x R then

x
lim 1 e x
n
n
Oct 2014

ECM1702

AMM

Algebra of sequences
If lim an A and lim bn B with A, B R then
n

1.

lim an bn lim an lim bn A B

lim anbn lim an lim bn AB

n
n n
lim
an A
a
3. lim n n
provided B 0
n b
bn B
n lim
n

2.

In general, suppose that lim an L and suppose that f x is a continuous function at x = L, then
n

lim f an f L

Comparison test for sequences

Suppose that an and bn are sequences and there is an N such that an bn for all n N . Then if the
limits exist,
lim an lim bn
n

an

Also, if

then bn

Theorem 2 Sandwich theorem

Suppose lim bn L and lim cn L and suppose there is an N such that bn an cn for all n N ,
n

then lim an L .
n

Oct 2014

ECM1702

AMM

Convergence of Series
An infinite series

1.
2.

n 1

n 1

an converges if the sequence of partial sums Sk an has a limit as k .

Standard series limits (may be quoted without proof)

1
If an then
an converges for 1
n
n 1
If an r

an converges for

then

We say that

r 1

and diverges otherwise.

and diverges otherwise.

n 1

n 1

n 1

n 1

an converges absolutely if an converges, and if an converges absolutely then

it converges (but there are series that converge but do not converge absolutely).
Test (for convergence/divergence) of a series
1. Divergence test: If an
0 as n then

an diverges.

n 1

2. Leibniz test: If an 1 bn where bn is a positive monotonic decreasing sequence with

n

bn 0 , then

3. Ratio test:

an converges.

n 1

a
Consider lim n 1 L .
n an

an converges.

If L 1 then

n 1

If L 1then there is no conclusion.

If L 1then

an diverges.

n 1

4. Comparison test:
If an bn 0 (for all n) and the series
If bn an 0 (for all n) and the series

bn diverges, then

n 1

an diverges.

n 1

bn converges, then an converges.

n 1

n 1

5. Integral test: (not covered in ECM1702)

Let an f n where f is a positive monotonic decreasing function of n, then

an

n 1

converges if and only if

f x dx converges.

x 1

NB all of these tests work if we start the sum at a finite value of the index different from 1.
Oct 2014