Chapter 9: Problem 27
Do the sequences, converge or diverge? If a sequence converges, find its limit. $$\cos (\pi n)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The sequence diverges as it alternates between -1 and 1.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Sequence
The given sequence is \( \cos(\pi n) \), where \( n \) is a sequence of natural numbers \( n = 1, 2, 3, \ldots \). We need to determine if this sequence converges to a single value or diverges.
02
Compute the First Few Terms
Calculate the first few terms of the sequence to identify any pattern. For \( n = 1, 2, 3, 4 \), we have: \( \cos(\pi \times 1) = -1 \), \( \cos(\pi \times 2) = 1 \), \( \cos(\pi \times 3) = -1 \), \( \cos(\pi \times 4) = 1 \). The sequence alternates between -1 and 1.
03
Identify the Pattern
From the previous step, we see that the sequence is periodic with period 2: \( -1, 1, -1, 1, \ldots \). This repetitive pattern indicates that the sequence does not approach a single value.
04
Analyze Convergence or Divergence
A sequence converges if the terms eventually get arbitrarily close to a specific number. Since \( \cos(\pi n) \) alternates between -1 and 1, it does not get closer to any single value as \( n \) increases. Hence, the sequence diverges.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cosine Function
The cosine function, denoted as \( \cos(x) \), is a fundamental trigonometric function that describes the x-coordinate of a point on the unit circle at a specific angle \( x \). It is defined for all real numbers, and its range lies between -1 and 1. This function is periodic, meaning it repeats its values in a regular cycle. For the cosine function, this cycle occurs every \( 2\pi \) radians, making it useful in analyzing periodic behaviors.
- The cosine of 0 is 1,
- The cosine of \( \pi/2 \) is 0,
- The cosine of \( \pi \) is -1,
- The cosine of \( 3\pi/2 \) is 0.
Divergence
Divergence is a term that describes a sequence or series failing to converge to a limit. For a sequence to be considered divergent, its terms do not settle down to a fixed value as the sequence progresses. In the context of the sequence \( \cos(\pi n) \), as \( n \) increases, the sequence alternates between -1 and 1.
Since there is no single number that the sequence terms approach, the sequence is said to diverge. It does not stabilize on one number but rather repeats in a non-converging manner.
Since there is no single number that the sequence terms approach, the sequence is said to diverge. It does not stabilize on one number but rather repeats in a non-converging manner.
- Divergent sequences do not have a finite limit.
- An analysis of divergence often involves checking if a sequence does not settle or approach a meaningful limit.
Periodic Sequences
Periodic sequences are sequences whose terms repeat at regular intervals. They are characterized by a fixed pattern that continues indefinitely. For example, the sequence \( \cos(\pi n) \) is periodic, as it repeats the values -1 and 1 every two terms.Periodic sequences have a fundamental period, which is the smallest number of terms after which the pattern repeats. In our sequence, since \( \cos(\pi \times n) \) alternates between -1 and 1, it has a period of 2.
- Periodic sequences do not converge to a single value.
- They are useful for modeling cyclical phenomena in science and engineering.
- The periodic nature is closely related to trigonometric functions and their properties.