Nanyang Technological University

School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Division of Mathematical Sciences

MH1811 Mathematics 2 Tutorial 6

1. Write down the first five terms of the sequence.

n o∞ 1 2 3 4 5
n
(a) n+5 . Answer: , , , ,
n=1 6 7 8 9 10
n 2 o∞ 1 4 9 16 25
n
(b) n+1 . Answer: , , , ,
n=1 2 3 4 5 6
(c) {1 + (−1)n }∞ n=1 . Answer: 0, 2, 0, 2, 0
nan 1(−2)
(d) {an }∞n=1 , where a1 = −2 and an+1 = . Answer: a1 = −2, a2 = = −1, a3 =
n+1 2
2(−1) −2 3(−2/3) −1 4(−1/2) −2
= , a4 = = , a5 = =
3 3 4 2 5 5
∞ an+1
(e) {an }n=1 , where a1 = 2, a2 = −1 and an+2 = .
an
−1 −1/2 1 1/2
Answer: a1 = 2, a2 = −1, a3 = , a4 = = , a5 = = −1
2 −1 2 −1/2
.............................................................................................
2. Express the sequence in the notation {an }∞
n=1 .

1 3 5 7
(a) , , , ,...
2 4 6 8
2n − 1
Answer: an =
2n
1 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
(b) , , , , ,...
9 12 15 18 21
2n−1
Answer: an =
3(n + 2)
1 −1 1 −1
(c) , , , ,...
2 4 8 16
(−1)n−1
Answer: an =
2n
(d) 1, 0, 1, 0, . . . (alternating 1’s and 0’s.)
1 + (−1)n−1
Answer: an =
1

1 1
12 1

(e) 1 − 2 , 2 − 3 , 3 − 4 ,...
1 1
Answer: an = −
n n+1
√ √
√ √
√ √

(f) 2 − 3 , 3 − 4 , 4 − 5 ,...
√ √
Answer: an = n + 1 − n + 2

.............................................................................................

1
3. Which of the following sequences {an } converge, and which diverge? Find the limit of each
convergent sequence.
n + (−1)n
(a) an =
n
[Solution]
n + (−1)n (−1)n
Solution 1: an = =1+ .
n n
(−1)n 1 (−1)n
Since lim | | = lim = 0, we conclude that lim = 0.
n→∞ n n→∞ n n→∞ n
By limit law, we have

(−1)n
lim an = 1 + lim = 1 + 0 = 1.
n→∞ n→∞ n

Solution 2: We use the fact that −1 ≤ (−1)n ≤ 1 and apply Squeeze Theorem.
For every positive integer n, we have

n−1 n + (−1)n n+1

≤ ≤ .
n n n
Note that
   
n−1 1 n+1 1
lim = lim 1 − = 1, and lim = lim 1 + = 1.
n→∞ n n→∞ n n→∞ n n→∞ n

By Squeeze Theorem, we conclude that

n + (−1)n
lim an = lim = 1.
n→∞ n→∞ n

(b) an = nπ cos(nπ)
[Solution] Note that cos(nπ) = (−1)n so that an = (−1)n nπ. The sequence is listed as
follows:
−π, 2π, −3π, 4π, −5π, . . .
Note that odd terms a2k−1 diverges to −∞ and even terms a2k diverges to ∞.
We conclude that the sequence {an } diverges.

(−10/11)n
(c) an =
(9/10)n + (11/12)n
[Solution] Recall that lim rn = 0 for |r| < 1.
n→∞
Among | − 10/11|, |9/10| and |11/12|,the 
number |11/12| is the largest. Thus, we divide
11 n
both numerator and denominator by to obtain
12

−10/11 n
 

11/12
an =  .
9/10 n

+1
11/12

2
 Note that    
 −10/11 
 < 1, and  9/10  < 1.
 

 11/12   11/12 
As n → ∞, we have
n n
(−10/11)n (9/10)n
 
−10/11 9/10
= −→ 0 and = −→ 0
(11/12)n 11/12 (11/12)n 11/12
Therefore, we have
−10/11 n
 

11/12 0
an =  n −→ = 0 as n → ∞.
9/10 0+1
+1
11/12
7n + 5 n
(d) an =
1 + 12n
[Solution] Since 12 is the largest among the numbers 7, 5 and 12 we dividing both numer-
ator and denominator by 12n , to get

7 n
   n
5
+
7n + 5n 12 12
an = =  n .
1 + 12n 1
+1
12
Since  n  n  n
7 5 1
lim = 0, lim = 0, and lim = 0,
n→∞ 12 n→∞ 12 n→∞ 12
we have
lim an = 0.
n→∞

n2 − 3n + 5
(e) an =
n+7
[Solution]
5
n2 − 3n + 5 n−3+ n
lim an = lim = lim =∞
n→∞ n→∞ n+7 n→∞ 1 + n7
n2 + 1
  
1
(f) an = 179 −
3n2 − 4 n
 2  
n +1 1
[Solution] lim an = lim 179 −
n→∞ n→∞ 3n2 − 4 n
1 + (1/n2 )
     
1 1+0 179
= lim 179 − = (179 − 0) =
n→∞ 3 − (4/n2 ) n 3−0 3
r
2n
(g) an =
n+1
[Solution] The square root function is a continuous function on its domain.
s
√
r r
2n 2 2
lim an = lim = lim 1 = = 2
n→∞ n→∞ n + 1 n→∞ 1 + 1+0
n

3
 1
(h) an = √ √
n2 − 1 − n2 + n
1
[Solution] lim an = lim √ √ (Rationalization)
n→∞ n→∞ n2 − 1 − n2 + n
√ √
1 n2 − 1 + n2 + n
= lim √ √ √ √
n→∞ n2 − 1 − n2 + n n2 − 1 + n2 + n
√ √ √ √
n2 − 1 + n2 + n n2 − 1 + n2 + n
= lim = lim
n→∞ (n2 − 1) − (n2 + n) n→∞ −(n + 1)
p p √ √
1 − (1/n2 ) + 1 + (1/n) 1 − 0 + 1 + 01
= lim = = −2
n→∞ −(1 + n1 ) −(1 + 0)

sin n
(i) an =
n
[Solution] Note that −1 ≤ sin n ≤ 1 for every positive integer n. Thus we have

−1 sin n 1
≤ ≤ .
n n n
1 −1
Note that lim = 0 and lim = 0. By Squeeze Theorem, we conclude that
n→∞ n n→∞ n
sin n
lim = 0, i.e., lim an = 0.
n→∞ n n→∞

4n
(j) an =
n!
[Solution] We have
4n 4 4 44 4 4 4
an = = · · · ··· ·
n! 1 2 3 4 |{z}
5 − 1} n
|n {z
<1 <1

4 4 44 4 128
≤ · · · = , if n > 4.
1 2 34 n 3n
Thus, for n > 4, we have
128
0 ≤ an ≤ ,
3n
128
where lim = 0 and lim 0 = 0.
n→∞ 3n n→∞
4n
By Squeeze Theorem, we have lim an = lim = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ n!

4
 n!
(k) an =
nn
[Solution] We have
n! n n−1 n−2 2 1 1
an = n
= · · ··· · ≤ ,
n n | {z
n } n n n
|{z} n
<1 <1

if n > 2. Thus, we have

1
0 ≤ an ≤ .
n
1
Since lim = 0 and lim 0 = 0, we conclude by Squeeze Theorem that
n→∞ n n→∞

n!
lim an = lim = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ nn

(l) an = ln n − ln(2n + 1)
[Solution] Recall property: ln a − ln b = ln(a/b).
 
n
lim an = lim (ln n − ln(2n + 1)) = lim ln
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞ 2n + 1
     
n 1 1
= ln lim = ln lim = ln
|{z} n→∞ 2n + 1 n→∞ 2 + (1/n) 2
∗

Note that ln x is a continuous function, which is used in (*).

1/n
xn

(m) an = , where x > 0.
2n + 1
[Solution] For a fixed constant x > 0, note that
1/n
xn

x
an = =
2n + 1 (2n + 1)1/n

We proceed to determine lim (2n + 1)1/n using f (y) = (2y + 1)1/y .

n→∞

1/y lim ln (2y + 1)1/y

lim (2n + 1)1/n = lim (2y + 1)1/y = lim eln(2y+1) = ey→∞
n→∞ y→∞ y→∞
 
2
   
1/y ln (2y + 1)  lim 2y + 1 = 0 = 1.
 
= exp lim ln (2y + 1) = exp lim = exp
y→∞ y→∞ y |{z} y→∞ 1 
| {z } L0 H
∞
∞

Hence, we conclude that

x
lim an = lim = x.
n→∞ n→∞ (2n + 1)1/n

5
 n2
(n) an = sin n1
2n − 1
sin x sin 1
[Solution] Recall that lim = 1 and hence we have lim 1 n = 1. To apply this
x→0 x n→∞
n
result here, we rewrite an as follows:
! !
n2 n2 sin n1 sin n1
   
1 1 n
an = sin = 1 · = 1 .
2n − 1 n 2n − 1 n
n 2n − 1 n

n 1 1 sin 1
We have lim = lim 1 = and lim 1 n = 1.
n→∞ 2n − 1 n→∞ 2 − 2 n→∞
n n
Therefore, we have
n sin 1 1
lim an = lim lim 1 n = .
n→∞ n→∞ 2n − 1 n→∞ 2
n

tan−1 n
(o) an = √
n
π √
[Solution] Note that lim tan−1 n = and lim n = ∞. Thus, lim an = 0.
n→∞ 2 n→∞ n→∞

 n
n
(p) an =
n+1
 x
x
[Solution] Let f (x) = on [1, ∞) where f (n) = an for positive integer n. We
x+1
have
  x    x 
x x
 x ln lim   lim ln 
x x→∞ x+1 x→∞ x+1
lim f (x) = lim =e = e .
x→∞ x→∞ x+1 |{z}
∗

(Note: (*) Interchange taking exponential function and limit since the exponential func-
tion is continuous on R.)
Now, we have
   
x x+1 1
 x   ln
x x x+1 x (x + 1)2
lim ln = lim x ln = lim = lim
x→∞ x+1 x→∞ x+1 x→∞ 1/x |{z} x→∞ −1/x2
| {z } L0 H
0
0

−x2
 
1 + (1/x) −1
= lim = lim (1 + (1/x)) = −1
x→∞ 1 (x + 1)2 x→∞ (1 + (1/x))2
Thus, we have
lim an = lim f (x) = e−1 .
n→∞ x→∞

6
 Z np
t4 + t dt
1
(q) an =
n3 + 2015
[Solution]
Rn√ Rx√
1 t4 + t dt 1 t4 + t dt ∞
lim an = lim = lim ( )
n→∞ n→∞ n3 + 2015 |{z} x→∞ x3 + 2015 ∞
∗

d
Rx√ √
dx ( 1 t4 + t dt) x4 + x
= lim d
= lim
|{z} n→∞
dx (x
3
+ 2015) |{z} x→∞ 3x2
L0 H FTC
p
1 + (1/x3 ) 1
= lim =
x→∞ 3 3
Remark: At (*), we have replaced n by x. This means that we pass the limit evaluation
of the sequence to the limit evaluation of a function.

.............................................................................................

4. Using a fitting function to prove that lim n1/n = 1, and use it to obtain the limits of the
n→∞
following sequences.

(a) an = (n + 4)1/(n+4)
√n
(b) an = n2

[SOLUTION] Let f (x) = x1/x for x ≥ 1. Note that f (n) = n1/n for every positive integer n.
We have  
1/x
1/x lim ln x
lim n1/n = lim x1/x = lim eln(x ) = ex→∞
n→∞ x→∞ x→∞

where

  ln (x) 1/x
lim ln x1/x = lim = lim = 0.
x→∞ x→∞ x |{z}
0
x→∞ 1
LH

Thus, we have  
lim ln x1/x
lim n1/n = ex→∞ = e0 = 1.
n→∞

(a) an = (n + 4)1/(n+4) . Let m = n + 4. We have

lim an = lim (n + 4)1/(n+4) = lim (m)1/m = 1

n→∞ n→∞ m→∞
√
n
(b) an = n2
√
n
1/n  2  2
lim an = lim n2 = lim n2 = lim n1/n = lim n1/n = 12 = 1.
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞ n→∞ n→∞

.............................................................................................

7
 (2n + 3)! an+1 (2n + 5)
5. Let an = for n ≥ 1. Verify that = . Is the sequence {an } increasing
(n + 1)!4n an 2
or decreasing?
(2(n + 1) + 3)! (2n + 5)!
[Solution] Note that an+1 = n+1
= .
((n + 1) + 1)!4 (n + 2)!4n+1
Thus we have
(2n + 5)!
an+1 (n + 2)!4n+1 (2n + 5)! (n + 1)! 4n
= =
an (2n + 3)! (2n + 3)! (n + 2)! 4n+1
(n + 1)!4 n

(2n + 5)(2n + 4)(2n + 3)! (n + 1)! 4n (2n + 5)(2n + 4) 2n + 5

= n
= =
(2n + 3)! (n + 2) · (n + 1)! (4)4 (n + 2)4 2

For n ≥ 1, we have an > 0 and

an+1 2n + 5
= > 1,
an 2
which implies that the sequence is increasing.
.............................................................................................
 n
n! an+1 n
6. Let an = n for n ≥ 1. Verify that = and use the Monotone Convergence
n an n+1
n!
Theorem to show that an = n is convergent.
n
(n + 1)! (n + 1)(n!)
[Solution] Note that an+1 = = .
(n + 1)n+1 (n + 1)n (n + 1)
Thus we have
(n + 1)(n!)
n
nn

an+1 (n + 1)n (n + 1) n
= = = .
an n! (n + 1)n n+1
nn
For n ≥ 1, we have an > 0 and
 n
an+1 n
= < 1,
an n+1

which implies that the sequence is decreasing.

Therefore, we have
0 < an+1 < an < · · · < a2 < a1 = 1.
n!
This also shows that the sequence an = n is bounded. By Monotone Convergence Theorem,
n
it is convergent.

8
Remarks

(1) Alternatively, we note that

n! n (n − 1) (n − 2) (2) 1
0 < an = = · · ··· · ≤ 1.
nn n n n n n
n!
which shows that the sequence an = is bounded.
nn
(2) Since lim an exists, there is a real number L where lim an = L. To find L, we proceed
n→∞ n→∞
as follows:  n  n
an+1 n n
From = , we have an+1 = an .
an n+1 n+1
As n → ∞, we have
  n    n
n  n
lim an+1 = lim an = lim an · lim .
n→∞ n→∞ n+1 n→∞ n→∞ n + 1

Note that lim an+1 = lim an = L and

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

Therefore, we have L = (1/e)L, i.e., (1 − 1/e)L = 0. This implies that L = 0.

We have lim an = 0.
n→∞

.............................................................................................

9
7. (Optional.) Use the formal definition of limit to prove

1
(a) lim = 0.
n→∞ 3n − 5
[Proof.] Let  > 0 be an arbitrarily given positive number.
Our aim is to find a positive integer N0 such that for every n > N0 , we have
 
 1 
 3n − 5 − 0 < .
 

For n ≥ 2, the above is equivalent to

 
 1  1
 3n − 5  = 3n − 5 < ,
 

which gives  
1 1
n> +5 .
3 
Thus, we choose N0 to be a positive integer such that
 
1 1
N0 ≥ 2 and N0 > +5 .
3 

With this N0 , we have for every n > N0 , it follows from the above that
 
 1 

 3n − 5 − 0  < .


1
This proves that lim = 0.
n→∞ 3n − 5

10
 n 1
(b) lim = .
n→∞ 2n + 1 2
[Proof.] Let  > 0 be an arbitrarily given positive number. Our aim is to find a positive
integer N0 such that for every n > N0 , we have
 
 n 1 
 2n + 1 − 2  < .(∗∗)


To find such an N0 , we simplify the term on the left of the preceding inequality:
   
 n 1   2n − (2n + 1)  1
 2n + 1 − 2  =  2(2n + 1)  = 2(2n + 1) .


 
1 1 1
For (**) to hold, we may find n such that < , which gives n > −1 .
2(2n + 1) 2 2 

1 1
(Verity this!) Thus, we may choose N0 to be a positive integer with N0 > −1 .
2 2
With this N0 , we have
 
 n 1 
 2n + 1 − 2  < , for every n > N0 .


n 1
This proves that lim = .
n→∞ 2n + 1 2

Remark For (**) to hold, we do not have to find the smallest N0 . Thus we note that
1 1 1 1
< for every positive integer n, and hence we have < .
2n + 1 2n 2(2n + 1) 4n
1 1
So, we may find n such that < , i.e., n > .
4n 4
1
Therefore, we may choose N0 to be a positive integer such that N0 > . For n > N0 , we
4
have  
 n 1  1 1 1
 2n + 1 − 2  = 2(2n + 1) < 4n < 4N0 < .


.............................................................................................

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