/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 56 Find the limit of the following ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

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Find the limit of the following sequences or state that they diverge. $$\left\\{\frac{\cos (n \pi / 2)}{\sqrt{n}}\right\\}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
**Answer:** The sequence diverges.

Step by step solution

01

Observe the sequence components

To find the limit of a sequence, it is important to observe its components. In this case, we need to analyze the properties of $$\cos (n \pi / 2)$$ and $$\sqrt{n}$$ individually.
02

Determine the behavior of the cosinus term

Let's analyze the behavior of $$\cos (n \pi / 2)$$. Observe that for integer n's, it takes the following values: 1. $$n = 0: \cos(0) = 1$$ 2. $$n = 1: \cos(\pi / 2) = 0$$ 3. $$n = 2: \cos(\pi) = -1$$ 4. $$n = 3: \cos(3 \pi / 2) = 0$$ 5. $$n = 4: \cos(2 \pi) = 1$$ ...and so on. We notice that the values of the cosinus term keep oscillating between 1, 0, and -1.
03

Determine the behavior of the root term

Now let's analyze the behavior of the $$\sqrt{n}$$. As n increases, $$\sqrt{n}$$ increases, but at a decreasing rate.
04

Analyze the behavior of the entire sequence

With the information from steps 2 and 3, we can now analyze the behavior of the complete sequence. When n increases, the denominator $$\sqrt{n}$$ also increases, causing the value of the fraction to decrease. However, the value of the numerator $$\cos (n \pi / 2)$$ will oscillate between 1, 0, and -1. So the overall sequence values mainly depend on the oscillating behavior of the numerator, and it will not converge or diverge in a smooth manner.
05

Determine if the sequence converges or diverges

As we have observed that the sequence $$\left\\{\frac{\cos (n \pi / 2)}{\sqrt{n}}\right\\}$$ oscillates between positive and negative values due to the behavior of the cosinus function, combined with the fact that the denominator increases at a decreasing rate, it is safe to conclude that the sequence does not converge, and thus, the sequence diverges. So, the final answer is the sequence diverges.

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Key Concepts

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

Oscillating sequences
An oscillating sequence is a sequence whose terms alternate in some regular pattern rather than approaching a single value. In the context of the given sequence \( \left\{ \frac{\cos (n \pi / 2)}{\sqrt{n}} \right\} \), let's focus on understanding why it oscillates.

The numerator, \( \cos(n \pi / 2) \), alternates between values of 1, 0, and -1 as \( n \) progresses. This behavior creates a repeating pattern, causing the terms of the sequence to swing back and forth instead of moving towards a fixed value.

What's important with an oscillating sequence is to recognize this intrinsic back-and-forth movement. This movement prevents the sequence from settling into a limit. Thus, the sequence cannot converge to a single quantity, primarily due to its oscillating nature. Understanding such a pattern is crucial for identifying and analyzing sequences that might initially appear complex.
Convergence and divergence
Convergence and divergence are key concepts in studying sequences. A sequence converges if its terms approach a specific number as they progress indefinitely. Divergence happens when these terms do not approach any single value. In the provided sequence \( \left\{ \frac{\cos (n \pi / 2)}{\sqrt{n}} \right\} \), understanding why it diverges is important.

Although the denominator \( \sqrt{n} \) continuously increases, providing a slowing factor as \( n \) grows larger, the oscillating nature of the numerator dominates the behavior of the sequence. Because \( \cos(n \pi / 2) \) cycles through 1, 0, and -1 repeatedly, the sequence cannot steady itself towards a finite value.

This lack of convergence due to the oscillation and non-steady behavior leads us to conclude that this sequence diverges. Noticing traits like these in sequences helps to predict their long-term behavior and classify them as either convergent or divergent.
Sequence analysis
Evaluating a sequence involves breaking down its components to understand its overall behavior. This process is known as sequence analysis. Taking the sequence \( \left\{ \frac{\cos (n \pi / 2)}{\sqrt{n}} \right\} \) as an example, sequence analysis is clearly demonstrated.

By separately examining the behavior of \( \cos(n \pi / 2) \) and \( \sqrt{n} \), one can gather insights about the sequence as a whole. The cosine term, alternate between 1, 0, and -1, contributes periodic changes to the sequence's value. The \( \sqrt{n} \), increasing but at a diminishing rate, plays a steady role by growing larger and larger, though it can't completely counteract the oscillating nature.

To comprehensively analyze a sequence, recognizing the interplay between its components—oscillating numerators versus increasing denominators, for instance—is vital. This method allows effective prediction of whether a sequence will eventually stabilize or continue fluctuating indefinitely. In this particular sequence, oscillation outstrips stabilization, affirming its divergence.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Use the formal definition of the limit of a sequence to prove the following limits. $$\lim _{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{1}{n^{2}}=0$$

The expression $$1+\frac{1}{1+\frac{1}{1+\frac{1}{1+\frac{1}{1+}}}}.$$ where the process continues indefinitely, is called a continued fraction. a. Show that this expression can be built in steps using the recurrence relation \(a_{0}=1, a_{n+1}=1+1 / a_{n},\) for \(n=0,1,2,3, \ldots . .\) Explain why the value of the expression can be interpreted as \(\lim _{n \rightarrow \infty} a_{n},\) provided the limit exists. b. Evaluate the first five terms of the sequence \(\left\\{a_{n}\right\\}\). c. Using computation and/or graphing, estimate the limit of the sequence. d. Assuming the limit exists, use the method of Example 5 to determine the limit exactly. Compare your estimate with \((1+\sqrt{5}) / 2,\) a number known as the golden mean. e. Assuming the limit exists, use the same ideas to determine the value of $$a+\frac{b}{a+\frac{b}{a+\frac{b}{a+\frac{b}{a+}}}}$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are positive real numbers.

James begins a savings plan in which he deposits \(\$ 100\) at the beginning of each month into an account that earns \(9 \%\) interest annually or, equivalently, \(0.75 \%\) per month. To be clear, on the first day of each month, the bank adds \(0.75 \%\) of the current balance as interest, and then James deposits \(\$ 100\). Let \(B_{n}\) be the balance in the account after the \(n\) th deposit, where \(B_{0}=\$ 0\). a. Write the first five terms of the sequence \(\left\\{B_{n}\right\\}\). b. Find a recurrence relation that generates the sequence \(\left\\{B_{n}\right\\}\). c. How many months are needed to reach a balance of \(\$ 5000 ?\)

Consider the following infinite series. a. Write out the first four terms of the sequence of partial sums. b. Estimate the limit of \(\left\\{S_{n}\right\\}\) or state that it does not exist. $$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{3}{10^{k}}$$

A heifer weighing 200 lb today gains 5 lb per day with a food cost of \(45 \mathrm{c} /\) day. The price for heifers is \(65 \mathrm{q} / \mathrm{lb}\) today but is falling \(1 \% /\) day. a. Let \(h_{n}\) be the profit in selling the heifer on the \(n\) th day, where \(h_{0}=(200 \mathrm{lb}) \cdot(\$ 0.65 / \mathrm{lb})=\$ 130 .\) Write out the first 10 terms of the sequence \(\left\\{h_{n}\right\\}\). b. How many days after today should the heifer be sold to maximize the profit?

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