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Find the limit of the following sequences or determine that the limit does not exist. $$\left\\{\frac{(-1)^{n+1} n^{2}}{2 n^{3}+n}\right\\}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The limit is 0.

Step by step solution

01

Write down the limit definition

In this step, we need to write down the definition of the limit of a sequence. The limit of a sequence as n approaches infinity is given by: $$\lim_{n \to \infty} a_{n}$$ For our sequence, we have: $$\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{(-1)^{n+1} n^{2}}{2 n^{3}+n}$$
02

Simplify the numerator and denominator

In this step, we will simplify the numerator and the denominator, by factoring out the highest power of n. In this case, the highest power of n in both the numerator and the denominator is n². Factoring out n², we get: $$\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{(-1)^{n+1}}{\frac{2 n^{3}+n}{n^{2}}} = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{(-1)^{n+1}}{2n+1}$$
03

Analyze the simplified limit

At this point, we have the simplified limit as: $$\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{(-1)^{n+1}}{2n+1}$$ Let's analyze the behavior of the numerator and the denominator. As n approaches infinity, the denominator (2n+1) also approaches infinity. However, the numerator, (-1)^(n+1), oscillates between -1 and 1.
04

Conclusion

Since the numerator oscillates between -1 and 1, while the denominator approaches infinity, the limit of the sequence is 0. Hence, $$\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{(-1)^{n+1} n^{2}}{2 n^{3}+n} = 0$$

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Calculus
Calculus is the branch of mathematics that deals with the study of how things change. It provides a framework for modeling systems in which there is change, and a way to deduce the predictions of such models. One of the foundational concepts in calculus is the concept of a limit, which describes the behavior of a function as its argument approaches some value. Limits can apply to sequences, functions of a real variable, complex functions, and more. In the context of sequences, finding the limit involves determining what value a sequence approaches as the term number becomes arbitrarily large. For instance, if we have a sequence described by a function like \( a_n = \frac{(-1)^{n+1}n^2}{2n^3 + n} \) and we're interested in the behavior as \( n \) approaches infinity, calculus provides tools like limit analysis to figure out that behavior.
Convergence and Divergence
Within the realm of calculus, we often talk about the convergence or divergence of sequences or series. A sequence is said to converge if it approaches a specific value as \( n \) tends to infinity. Divergence, on the other hand, means that the sequence does not settle towards any one value as \( n \) becomes very large. Convergence can be determined through limit analysis. If the limit of a sequence as \( n \) goes to infinity is a finite number, we have convergence. Conversely, if the terms of a sequence become infinitely large or do not approach a specific value, the sequence is divergent. The given sequence \( \frac{(-1)^{n+1}n^2}{2n^3 + n} \) is convergent because as \( n \) gets very large, it approaches zero.
Infinite Series
An infinite series is the sum of the terms of an infinite sequence. While our problem deals with the limit of a single sequence, the concepts of convergence and divergence apply to series as well. If the partial sums of the series have a limit, then the series converges to that limit. Otherwise, it diverges. Understanding the behavior of infinite series is crucial when dealing with functions represented as series expansions, like power series or Fourier series. Calculus provides us with various tests, such as the p-test, ratio test, and root test, which help determine convergence or divergence of an infinite series. The sequence we analyze doesn't constitute a series itself, but the analysis of its limit has parallels with series convergence.
Limit Analysis
Limit analysis is the process of evaluating the limit of a sequence or function. The tools of limit analysis allow us to rigorously determine the value that a particular sequence or function approaches as the variable tends to infinity or some other point. In the given step-by-step solution, limit analysis is performed by first recognizing the highest power of \( n \) that dominates the sequence for large \( n \) and then simplifying the expression. By observing the behavior of the numerator, which oscillates, and the denominator, which grows without bound, we conclude that their ratio approaches zero. This analytical approach is critical in verifying whether a sequence converges or diverges and to what value it converges, if any.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Suppose a function \(f\) is defined by the geometric series \(f(x)=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} x^{2 k}\) a. Evaluate \(f(0), f(0.2), f(0.5), f(1),\) and \(f(1.5),\) if possible. b. What is the domain of \(f ?\)

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A tank is filled with 100 L of a \(40 \%\) alcohol solution (by volume). You repeatedly perform the following operation: Remove 2 L of the solution from the tank and replace them with 2 L of \(10 \%\) alcohol solution. a. Let \(C_{n}\) be the concentration of the solution in the tank after the \(n\) th replacement, where \(C_{0}=40 \% .\) Write the first five terms of the sequence \(\left\\{C_{n}\right\\}\). b. After how many replacements does the alcohol concentration reach \(15 \% ?\). c. Determine the limiting (steady-state) concentration of the solution that is approached after many replacements.

An infinite product \(P=a_{1} a_{2} a_{3} \ldots,\) which is denoted \(\prod_{k=1}^{\infty} a_{k}\) is the limit of the sequence of partial products \(\left\\{a_{1}, a_{1} a_{2}, a_{1} a_{2} a_{3}, \ldots\right\\} .\) Assume that \(a_{k}>0\) for all \(k\) a. Show that the infinite product converges (which means its sequence of partial products converges) provided the series \(\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \ln a_{k}\) converges. b. Consider the infinite product $$P=\prod_{k=2}^{\infty}\left(1-\frac{1}{k^{2}}\right)=\frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{8}{9} \cdot \frac{15}{16} \cdot \frac{24}{25} \cdots$$ Write out the first few terms of the sequence of partial products, $$P_{n}=\prod_{k=2}^{n}\left(1-\frac{1}{k^{2}}\right)$$ (for example, \(P_{2}=\frac{3}{4}, P_{3}=\frac{2}{3}\) ). Write out enough terms to determine the value of \(P=\lim _{n \rightarrow \infty} P_{n}\) c. Use the results of parts (a) and (b) to evaluate the series $$\sum_{k=2}^{\infty} \ln \left(1-\frac{1}{k^{2}}\right)$$

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