Chapter 3: Problem 16
Show that \(\lim \left(n^{2} / n !\right)=0\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The limit as n approaches infinity of \(n^{2} / n !\) is zero.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the problem
Firstly, recognize that \(n^{2} / n !\) is a sequence and that n is approaching infinity. It is necessary to show that as n gets arbitrarily large, the sequence converges to zero. This means that for any number greater than zero (no matter how small), there exists a point in the sequence after which all terms are within this number from zero.
02
Exploring the Form of the Sequence
Rewrite the sequence in a form that allows for easier comparison. The sequence \(n^{2} / n !\) can be rewritten as \((n / n!) \cdot n = (1 / (n-1)!) \cdot n\). Note that \((n-1)!\) is the product of all positive integers from 1 to \(n - 1\).
03
Apply the Limit Definition
The limit as x approaches infinity of a sequence is zero, if and only if for every positive number \(\epsilon\), there exists some number \(N\) such that for all n greater than or equal to N, the absolute value of the difference between the n-th term and zero is less than \(\epsilon\). In this case, that is saying that for all \(\epsilon > 0\) there exists some \(N\) such that if \(n \geq N\) then \(\left | ((1 / (n-1)!) \cdot n) - 0 \right | < \(\epsilon\).
04
Evaluate the Limit
Note that for \(n \geq 2\), the sequence can be written as \((1 / (n-1)!) \cdot n\), which is less than or equal to \(1/n\). But, the limit as n approaches infinity of \(1/n\) is zero. Therefore, by the squeeze theorem, the limit as n approaches infinity of the sequence \((1 / (n-1)!) \cdot n\) or equivalently \(n^{2} / n !\) is also zero.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Limits
In the realm of real analysis, limits help us understand what happens to a function or sequence as we approach a particular point. Talking about limits of sequences, we're interested in what values the sequence approaches as the index grows infinitely large.
The notation \(\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n \) refers to the limit of the sequence \(a_n\) as \(n\) approaches infinity. If this limit exists and is a specific number \(L\), it means that for any arbitrarily small positive number \(\epsilon\), there exists a point after which all the sequence terms \(|a_n - L|\) are less than \(\epsilon\).
For the sequence \(n^2 / n!\), we analyze how it behaves as \(n\) increases. Through the limit definition, we validate that \(n^2/n!\) converges to zero.
The notation \(\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n \) refers to the limit of the sequence \(a_n\) as \(n\) approaches infinity. If this limit exists and is a specific number \(L\), it means that for any arbitrarily small positive number \(\epsilon\), there exists a point after which all the sequence terms \(|a_n - L|\) are less than \(\epsilon\).
For the sequence \(n^2 / n!\), we analyze how it behaves as \(n\) increases. Through the limit definition, we validate that \(n^2/n!\) converges to zero.
Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of numbers generated by some mathematical rule. In real analysis, sequences are fundamental in understanding functions, continuity, and limits.
Consider the sequence \(n^2 / n!\):
Consider the sequence \(n^2 / n!\):
- \(n^2\) grows rapidly because it's a power of \(n\).
- \(n!\) (n factorial) grows even quicker because it's the product of all positive integers up to \(n\).
Squeeze Theorem
The Squeeze Theorem, or Sandwich Theorem, is a crucial tool when evaluating limits. It allows us to determine the limit of a sequence by comparing it to two other sequences whose limits are known. If a sequence \(a_n\) is 'squeezed' between two sequences \(b_n\) and \(c_n\), and both \(\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n = L\) and \(\lim_{n \to \infty} c_n = L\), then \(\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n = L\).
For \(n^2/n!\), we found that it is less than or equal to \(1/n\) for \(n \geq 2\). Since \(1/n\) approaches zero as \(n\) goes to infinity, we apply the Squeeze Theorem to conclude that \(n^2/n!\) must also approach zero.
Using the Squeeze Theorem simplifies the task of finding limits, especially when direct computation is challenging.
For \(n^2/n!\), we found that it is less than or equal to \(1/n\) for \(n \geq 2\). Since \(1/n\) approaches zero as \(n\) goes to infinity, we apply the Squeeze Theorem to conclude that \(n^2/n!\) must also approach zero.
Using the Squeeze Theorem simplifies the task of finding limits, especially when direct computation is challenging.