Real Analysis (MA101), Tutorial Sheet-II (Sequence)

1. Let {un } be a convergent sequence of real numbers converging to u. Then the sequence {|un |} converges
to |u|.
2. Let {un } be a convergent sequence of real numbers and there exists a natural number m such that
un > 0 for all n ≥ m. Then lim un ≥ 0.
3. Let {un } and {vn } be two convergent sequences that converge to u and v, respectively. Then
(i) lim(un + vn ) = u + v;
(ii) If c ∈ R then lim(cun ) = cu;
(iii) lim(un vn ) = uv;
(iv) lim uvnn = uv , provided {vn } is a sequence of nonzero real numbers and v 6= 0.
4. Prove that 0 < α < 1, lim αn = 0
n→∞

5. Use the definition of limit of a sequence to establish the following limits:

n
(i) lim (ln ( n+1 )) = 0
3n+1 3
(ii) lim( 2n+5 )= 2
2
n −1 1
(iii) lim( 3n2 +5 ) = 3
1
(iv) If c > 0, then lim c n = 1.

6. A sequence {xn } is defined by xn = 21 (xn−1 + xn−2 ) for n ≥ 1 and x1 = 0 and x2 = 1. Prove that the
sequence {xn } converges and prove that the limit is 32 .
1
7. Let xn = (an + bn ) n for all n ∈ N and 0 < a < b, show that lim xn = b.
8. Prove that a monotone decreasing sequence, if bounded below, is convergent and it converges to the
greatest lower bound.
9. Use Sandwich theorem to prove that
1
(i) lim(2n + 3n ) n = 3;
(ii) lim 1.3.5....(2n−1)
2.4.6....2n = 0;
1 2 n 1
(iii) lim( 1+n 2 + 2+n2 + ... + n+n2 ) = 2 ;
√ 1 √ 1 √ 1
(iv) lim(( 2 − 2 3 )( 2 − 2 5 )...( 2 − 2 2n+1 )) = 0.

10. Show that the following sequence xn is bounded and monotone for n ∈ N . Also, find the limit.

(i) x1 = 2 and xn+1 = 2 − x1n

√
(ii) x1 = 1 and xn+1 = 2 + xn
√
(iii) x1 ≥ 2 and xn+1 = 1 + xn − 1
1 1 1 1
(iv) xn = 1 + 1! + 2! + 3! + ..... + n!
3n−1
(iv) xn = n+2

11. Let A be a nonempty bounded subset of R and α = inf A. Show that there exists a sequence (an ) such
that an ∈ A for all n ∈ N and an → α.
12. Let {xn } be a sequence in R. Prove or disprove the following statements:
(i) Let xn = (−1)n ∀n ∈ N. The sequence (xn ) does not converge.
(ii) If xn → l(l 6= 0) and {yn } is a bounded sequence, then (xn yn ) converges.
(iii) If the sequence (x2n + n1 xn ) converges then (xn ) converges.
13. Let (xn ) be a sequence defined by

xn = (1 + α)−n nβ cos n.

for all n ∈ N where α and β are fixed positive real numbers. Show that (xn ) converges.
14. Show directly from definition that if {xn } and {yn } are Cauchy sequences, then {xn + yn } and {xn yn }
are Cauchy sequences.
√
15. If xn = n, show that {xn } satisfies lim |xn+1 − xn | = 0, but that is not a Cauchy Sequence.
16. If 0 < r < 1 and |xn+1 − xn | < rn for all n ∈ N, show that {xn } is a Cauchy Sequence.
1
17. If x1 = 2 and xn+1 = 2 + xn for n ≥ 1. Show that {xn } is a contractive sequence. Find the limit.

18. The polynomial equation x3 − 5x + 1 = 0 has root r with 0 < r < 1. Use an appropriate contractive
sequence to calculate r with in 10−4 .

1
  
xn+1
19. Let {xn } be a sequence of positive real numbers such that L := lim exists. If L < 1, then
xn
{xn } converges and lim(xn ) = 0.
nα
20. Show that if p > 0 and α is real, then lim = 0.
n→∞ (1 + p)n
√ √
21. Let C be a sequence defined by the recursion formula : xn+1 = 7 + xn , x1 = 7. Show that {xn }
converges to the positive root of x2 − x − 7 = 0
1 1 1
22. Show that the sequence {xn } = 1 − + + · · · + (−1)n+1 is convergent.
2 3 n
x1 + x2 + · · · + xn
23. Let lim xn = 0, then prove that lim = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ n