Chapter 1
Limit of sequence
chapter 1
Outline
1. Definitions
2. Properties
3. Operations
4. Criterion
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1 、 Definitions
A function with domian N ( all Natural numbers) is called a
sequence, denoted by xn f (n), or xn .
xn is called the general
item.
Example Let S be the area of a disk with radius r , let An
. be the area of regular polygon inscribed in this disk, then as
n becomes more and more big, An is more and more closed
to S . As you could see the picture, we have
An n r 2 sin cos n
n n r
( n 3, 4 , 5, )
1 2 3 n n
Examples ： , , , , , xn
2 3 4 n 1 n 1
1 4 3 n (1) n1 n (1) n1
2 , , , , , , xn
2 3 4 n n
2 , 4 , 8 , , 2n , xn 2 n
1 , 1 , 1 , , (1) n1 , xn (1) n 1
The sequence {xn} converges to a constant a if the
general term xn of {xn} approaches the constant a as n
increases to infinity.
•Analysis
As n gets infinitely larger, xn gets infinitely closer to a .
As n gets infinitely larger, |xn-a| gets infinitely closer to 0 .
As n gets infinitely larger, |xn-a| will be arbitrarily small.
when n increases to a certain degree, |xn-a| will be less
than any given (small) positive number.
If the sequence xn approches to a constant a, as n
then we call the sequence xn converges ，a is called
the limit of this sequence.
n
See xn ,
n 1
as n approches to infinity ，xn approches
to 1. If we take a very small positive number (as measure
of then when the distance between xn and 1, i.e.
x 1 , is ，
proximity)
n less than . That is to say,
xn is very closed to 1, under the measure of
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Definition:
If the sequence xn and constant a satisfies:
0 , there exists N, such that for all n > N , we have
xn a
we call a is the limit of x n denoted by
lim xn a or xn a (n )
n
In this case, the sequence is called convergence, a xn a
otherwise, the sequence is called divergence. (n N )
xn ( a , )
Geomoerty meaning: (n N )
i.e.
( )
a x N 1 a x N 2 a
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Ex1. To show the limit of xn C is C ，
i.e. lim C C
n
pf: 0 , there exists n N , such that
| xn C || C C | 0 ,
i.e. lim C C
n
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(1) n lim xn 0 .
Ex2. Let xn , to show
(n 1) 2 n
pf: (1) n 1 1
xn 0 2
0 2 (0 ,1) ,
(n 1) (n 1) n 1
1
if we want xn 0 , we only need to ask , i.e.
1 n 1
n 1. Then we should take N [ 1 1] , so as n N
we have xn 0 , n
(1)
hence lim xn lim 2
0 since x 0 1
n n ( n 1) n ( n 1) 2
Notice: N is related to , but not take N 1 1
unique.
n
we don’t xhave 0
to 1 1,
find the
n 1 n 故也可取
samllest N . N [ 1]
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Ex3. Let q 1 , to show that the limit of the geometric
2 n 1
sequence 1 , q , q , , q , is 0.
n 1
pf: xn 0 q
n 1
0 q (0 ,1) ,
n 1
If we want xn 0 , we only need ask q , i.e.
ln
(n 1) ln q ln , that is n 1 .
ln q
ln
so, take N 1 , as n > N , we have
ln q
n 1
q 0
n 1
so lim q 0
n
Ex4. Show that lim n a 1 , a 0.
n
pf: (1) if a > 1, a 1. 0 (0 a 1) ,
n
lg a
if we want | a 1| a 1 , we need n
n n .
lg(1 )
lg a
so, take N , as n > N , we have
lg(1 )
| n a 1| .
i.e. lim n a 1 , a 1.
n
(2) if a = 1 , n N , a 1 . is
n
constant
sequence ，
so lim n a 1 , a 1.
n
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1
(3) if 0<a <1, let a , then b>1,we know
b
1 1 n
b
| a 1| n 1 n
n
| n b 1| .
b b
(1) 0 , exists N lg b lg a N
lg(1 ) lg(1 )
shows ，
s.t. n N , we have | n a 1 | n b 1 ,
i.e. lim n a 1 , 0<a 1.
n
Hence lim n a 1 , a 0.
n
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2.Properties
Th.1. If the limit exists then it must be b a b a
2 2
unique.
a ab b
pf: (we proof by contradiction.) 2
Suppose lim xn a and lim xn b , but a b.
n n
Take b2 a , since lim xn a , so there exists N1 , s.t.
n
when n > N1 , xn a b a , so xn a 2 b
2
Also, since lim xn b , so there exists N2 , s.t, when n > N2
n
xn b ba , x a b
2 so n 2
Take N = max{N1,N2}, then for any n > N , xn satisfies both
b a x b bbaa a ab
3aabbx x 3b
inequation. n a
2 Impossible! 22 22 nn 22
n 1
Ex.4. show that xn (1) (n 1, 2 , ) divergence.
pf: we proof by contradiction.
If xn convergence, then its limit a is unique.
take 12 , there exists N , s.t. for all n > N , we have
a 1 xn a 1
2 2 a1 a a 1
2 2
but xn is either 1 or -1 , but 1 and -1 can not stay in
( a 1 , a 1 ) in the same time, so it must be divergence.
2 2
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