Chapter 2

Sequences and Series

1
Sequences
Definition
A sequence is a function whose domain is ℕ.

A sequence is a list.
s
s
 𝑛3 +3𝑛+4
Example: Determine the convergence of
2𝑛2 +𝑛+1

9
 nn
Tower of Power n!
3n
en
n4
n2
n
√n
∜n
ln n
Limits
• If the bottom is more powerful, the fraction goes
to 0.

• If the top is more powerful, the fraction goes to

infinity.

• In case of tie, break out the coefficients.

14
Examples
 3n3  4 
 2 
 n  5n 

Diverges to infinity
Examples
3𝑛2 + 4
5𝑛2 − 2𝑛

3
Converges to
5
Examples
 3n 2  4 
 6 
 n  5n 

Converges to 0
Examples
 3 ln n  4 
 
 n5 n 

Converges to 0
Examples
 5en  n 
 2 
n 2 n 

Diverges to ∞
Important Facts to Know
k
 1
lim 1    e
k 
 k

lim k 1/ k
1
k 

lim k
a =1
k®¥
Theorem

Suppose (sn ) converges to s and

(tn ) converges to t.
lim n ( sn  tn )  s  t
lim n ksn  ks
lim n sntn  st
sn s
lim n  , if tn  0, t  0
tn t
Squeeze Theorem
Suppose an  bn  cn and lim an  lim cn  L
n n

Then lim bn  L
n 
Definitions

an is increasing if an 1  an for all n

an is strictly increasing if an 1  an for all n

an is decreasing if an 1  an for all n

an is strictly decreasing if an 1  an for all n

an is monotone if it is either increasing or decreasing

Definitions

an is bounded above by M if an  M for all n

an is bounded below by M if an  M for all n

an is bounded if it is bounded both above and below

Bounded Monotone Convergence Theorem

An increasing sequence converges if and only if it is

bounded above.

A decreasing sequence converges if and only if it is

bounded below.