Chapter 8: Problem 56
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.
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.
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.
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.