SEQUENCES

OF REAL NUMBERS

Sequences
A sequence of real numbers

a 1 , a 2 ,..., a n ,...
is a function that assigns to each positive integer
n a number a n .

DOMAIN:
The numbers in the range are called the
elements or terms of the sequence.

Sequences
NOTATIONS:

a n n 1

a n
f n

OUR INTEREST IN SEQUENCES:

f n
n

Behavior of
as

Let

lim f n L .

The Limit of a Sequence

The limit of a sequence f is the real number L

0 , however small, there exists a

number N 0 such that n is a natural
number and if n N , then f n L .
if for any

We write:

lim f n L

Definition.
If in lim f n L , L exists,
n

Then the sequence is said to be

convergent.

Otherwise it is divergent.

Proving by definition

Start with an arbitrary epsilon.

Find an expression for N in terms of epsilon

such that an L

whenever n > N

Show that for all n > N , an L

Conclude.

Example 1

Show that

Proof:
Let 0
1
Choose N

Then, if

1
Then
n

1
0
n

Therefore,

or

Example 2

Show

1 1

Proof: Let 0.

Chooseany N 0.

If n N , then
an L 1 1 0

Therefore, lim 1 1
n

Example 3

n 1
Show
1
n 1

Proof:
If 2, take any N>0.

If 0 2, take N

Thus, n N will imply that n

Example 3
2

n 1

n 1 n 1

2 n

n 1

2 n

n 1
1
n1

n 1

Example 3
Then,

an L

Therefore,

Exercises
Prove the following using the definition.

n 1 1

3n 2 3

Monotone Convergence Theorem

Theorem.
A bounded monotonic sequence is
convergent.

When are sequences monotonic?

bounded?

1.2 Monotonic and Bounded Sequences

Definitions.

A sequence is monotonic if it is
either increasing or decreasing.

is increasing if

A sequence a n

a n a n 1 , n N

is decreasing if

A sequence a n

a n a n 1 , n N

How do we determine if a sequence is

monotonic or not?

Let a n > 0 for any natural number n.

1. Observe a n .
2. Obtain
1(one).

an
a n 1

. Then Compare result to

Definitions.
A sequence is bounded if it has both
an upper bound and a lower bound.

A real number l

is a lower bound

of the sequence if l a n , n N
A lower bound g is the greatest lower
bound of the sequence if l g for all
lower bound l .

Definitions.
A real number u is an upper bound
of the sequence if u a n , n N
An upper bound v is the least upper bound
of the sequence if u v for all upper
bound u .

 5n 1

Examples 1.
2n

5
x

1
Let f x
2x

f is decreasing.
Now,

5n 1
0 . f has 0 as a lower bound
2n
and 3 as an upper bound.

Thus, the sequence is monotonic and bounded.

n!
Examples 2.
10
n 1 !

n!
a n 1
an
Let

10
10
Now,

an
a n 1

1
n!
10

1
10 n 1 ! n 1

That is, a n a n 1
Thus, the sequence is monotonic (increasing).

n!
Examples 2.
10
n!
Note that
0 .
10

n!

10

has 0 as a lower bound

but has no upper bound.

Thus, the sequence is unbounded.

Examples 3.

1
n1

Recall:

an

Thus, the sequence is bounded but is neither

increasing nor decreasing.

Examples 4.

2
!

n 1
n
3
3
a n 1
an
Let
n 3 !
n 2 !

Now,

an
a n 1

n 3 ! n 3

3n

1
3
n 2 ! 3 n 1

That is, a n a n 1
Thus, the sequence is monotonic (decreasing).

Examples 4.

2
!

3
0 .
Note that
n 2 !
n

2
!

has 0 as a lower bound

and has as an upper bound.

Thus, the sequence is bounded.

REMARKS:
A bounded decreasing sequence converges to its
greatest lower bound.

Similarly, a bounded increasing sequence

converges to its least upper bound.

END