Analysis I

Sheet 5 — MT22
Cauchy Sequences, Series (convergence and absolute
convergence), Properties of e, Alternating Series Test

Z n
cos x
1. For n ∈ N let an = dx. Prove that for m ⩾ n ⩾ 1 we have |am − an | ⩽ n−1
1 x2
and deduce that (an ) converges.
Z n
sin x
By integration by parts, or otherwise, demonstrate the existence of lim dx.
n→∞ 1 x
X 1
2. (a) Let p be a positive integer. By considering the partial sums, prove that
k⩾1
k(k + p)
∞
X 1
converges. What is ?
k=1
k(k + p)
∞
X cos k
(b) Evaluate the sum .
k=1
2k
X 2k + 1
(c) Use the Comparison Test to prove that converges.
k⩾1
(k + 1)(k + 2)2
∞
X
3. Let (an ) be a sequence of real or complex numbers, and assume that |ak | converges.
k=1
Let sn = a1 + · · · + an and Sn = |a1 | + · · · + |an |. By considering the partial sums sn
and Sn , prove that
 
X∞  X ∞
ak  ⩽ |ak |.
 

 
k=1 k=1

[You may assume the triangle inequality, and absolute convergence implies convergence.]

4. The number known as e is defined by

n
X 1
e = lim sn , where sn = .
n→∞
k=0
k!

(a) Prove that (sn ) is increasing and bounded above. Deduce that the limit defining e
exists. [Hint for getting an upper bound: compare sn with the sum of a geometric
progression.]
(b) Show that, for n ⩾ 1,
n
X 1 1
0<e− < .
k=0
k! n!n
Deduce that e is irrational.

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 Analysis I: Sheet 5 — MT22
 n
1
5. There is a real number L such that 1 + → L as n → ∞ (see the example
n
in Section 25 of the lecture notes). In fact L = e (see the supplementary notes on
Moodle). Assuming this fact, show that
 n
1 1
1− → as n → ∞.
n e

X √ √
6. (a) Prove that (−1)k−1 ( k + 1 − k) converges.
k⩾1

(b) For n ⩾ 1, let

1 1 1 (−1)n+1
sn = 1 − + − + ··· + .
3 5 7 2n − 1
Show that we can use the Alternating Series Test to prove that (sn ) converges to
2 13
some limit L. By examining the proof of the AST, prove that 3
<L< 15
.
P
7. Let ak be a series of real numbers. Which of the following are true and which are
false? Give a proof or counterexample as appropriate.

(a) k 2 ak → 0 implies
P
ak converges.
ak converges, then (ak )2 converges.
P P
(b) If
ak converges absolutely, then (ak )2 converges.
P P
(c) If
(ak )2 convergent implies (ak )3 convergent.
P P
(d)

8. (Optional, and more challenging) For each of the following statements, give a proof or
a counterexample.
P ak
X
(a) For a divergent series ak of positive terms, is also divergent.
1 + ak
P X ak
(b) Assume that ak > 0, and write sk = a1 + · · · + ak . Then ak and either
sk
both converge or both diverge.

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