Chapter 2: Problem 1
Suppose the kth partial sum of \(\sum_{n=1} x_{n}\) is \(s_{k}=\frac{k}{k+1} .\) Find the series, that is find \(x_{n}\), prove that the series converges, and then find the limit.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The series is given by \(x_n = \frac{2n-1}{n(n+1)}\) and converges to the limit 1.
Step by step solution
01
Differentiate Partial Sum Expression
Given that the kth partial sum of the series is \(s_k = \frac{k}{k+1}\). To find the terms of the series \(x_n\), recall that the partial sum \(s_k\) is the sum of the first \(k\) terms. The nth term is given by \(x_n = s_n - s_{n-1}\).
02
Find Expression for nth Term
To find \(x_n\), calculate: \[ x_n = s_n - s_{n-1} = \frac{n}{n+1} - \frac{n-1}{n} = \frac{n^2 - (n^2 - 2n + 1)}{n(n+1)} = \frac{2n - 1}{n(n+1)}. \] Thus, \(x_n = \frac{2n-1}{n(n+1)}\).
03
Convergence Analysis
To prove the series converges, use the fact that a series \(\sum x_n\) converges if its terms tend to 0 as \(n\to\infty\). For \(x_n = \frac{2n-1}{n(n+1)}\), as \(n\to\infty\), \(x_n\) behaves like \(\frac{2n}{n^2}\). Hence, \(x_n \to 0\). Additionally, use the telescoping nature of the sequence; \(\sum x_n = s_n \to 1\) as \(n\to\infty\).
04
Find the Limit of the Overall Sum
Given \(s_k = \frac{k}{k+1}\), as \(n\to\infty\), \(s_n\to 1\). This means the series converges to 1.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Partial Sum
In a series, the partial sum represents the sum of a sequence's first few terms. It’s denoted as \(s_k = \frac{k}{k+1}\), reflecting the accumulated sum up to the \(k\)-th term. The idea is simple but powerful: by understanding the pattern of these sums, we can infer a lot about the series. For students grappling with the concept, it's essential to grasp that the partial sum \(s_k\) gives us a sneak peek into how the series behaves as more terms are added.
- For example, if \(s_k\) appears to stabilize as \(k\) increases, this indicates a potential numerical limit.
- In this exercise, \(s_k\) chases closer to 1 as \(k\) increases, providing insight for further analysis.
Telescoping Series
A telescoping series is a special type of series where most terms cancel out, like the collapsing segments of a telescope. In these series, determining the individual terms helps unlock the key pattern. Here, the term \(x_n\) is discovered through the relation:\[ x_n = s_n - s_{n-1} \]This formula gives us insight into how consecutive sums overlap, making it dramatically simpler to find the sequence's overall behavior.
- In our example, calculating \(x_n = \frac{2n-1}{n(n+1)}\) showcases the typical telescoping effect.
- As \(n\) grows, the precise canceling of terms helps us visualize its behavior as \(n\) approaches infinity.
Series Limit
The limit of a series is what we can expect the series to equal when all its terms are summed indefinitely. To determine this, we observe the partial sums; here, \(s_k = \frac{k}{k+1}\). As \(n\) becomes very large, \(s_n\) approaches the limit. For this exercise, \(s_n \overset{n\to\infty}{\longrightarrow} 1\). This result tells us that if you summed up all terms from the beginning to infinity, the sum would stabilize close to this number.
- Recognizing this limit is pivotal. It impacts mathematics ranging from analysis to applied fields like physics or economics, signifying the ultimate value of infinitesimal accumulations.
- Once students see this pattern, identifying limits in similar functions becomes considerably easier.
Term Calculation
Finding the nth term of a series, \(x_n\), involves a bit of detective work where the partial sums play a crucial role. This is because each term is essentially the difference between two consecutive partial sums: \[ x_n = s_n - s_{n-1} \]In our example, this calculation is completed by resolving \[ x_n = \frac{2n-1}{n(n+1)} \]This formula reveals how complex terms arise from simple arithmetic manipulations of partial sums.
- Solving for individual terms like this not only broadens your mathematical toolkit but also fortifies your problem-solving skills.
- The simplicity behind the computation method hides the profound complexity—and beauty—of infinite series.