Chapter 1: Problem 2
If \(\left(x_{n}\right)\) is Cauchy and has a convergent subsequence, say, \(x_{n_{4}} \longrightarrow x\), show that \(\left(x_{n}\right)\) is convergent with the limit \(x\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The sequence \((x_n)\) is convergent with the limit \(x\).
Step by step solution
01
Definition of a Cauchy sequence
Recall that a sequence \( (x_n) \) is Cauchy if for every \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exists \( N \) such that for all \( m, n > N \), \( |x_m - x_n| < \epsilon \). This implies that the terms of the sequence get arbitrarily close to each other as the sequence progresses.
02
Definition of a convergent sequence
A sequence converges to a limit \( x \) if for every \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exists an \( N \) such that for all \( n > N \), \( |x_n - x| < \epsilon \).
03
Use the property of the convergent subsequence
We are given that the subsequence \( x_{n_4} \to x \). This means that for every \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exists a \( K \) such that for all \( k > K \), \( |x_{n_k} - x| < \epsilon/2 \).
04
Apply the Cauchy condition to the original sequence
Since \( (x_n) \) is Cauchy, for the given \( \epsilon/2 \), there exists an \( N \) such that for all \( m, n > N \), \( |x_m - x_n| < \epsilon/2 \).
05
Show \((x_n)\) converges to \(x\)
By the convergence of the subsequence, there is an index \( n_k > N \) such that \( |x_{n_k} - x| < \epsilon/2 \). For any \( n > N \), making \( m = n_k \), we have \( |x_n - x| \leq |x_n - x_{n_k}| + |x_{n_k} - x| < \epsilon/2 + \epsilon/2 = \epsilon \). This satisfies the definition of convergence, hence \( (x_n) \to x \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Convergent Sequence
In mathematics, a convergent sequence is a sequence of numbers that approaches a specific value, known as the limit, as the sequence progresses. Think of it like walking towards a destination: each step you take gets you closer to your final stop. A sequence
- Converges to a limit \( x \) if, for every tiny positive number (\( \epsilon \)), you can find a point in the sequence (after which all terms are close to this limit) so that the distance between each term and \( x \) is smaller than \( \epsilon \).
- Formally, this means for every \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exists a number \( N \) such that for all \( n > N \), \( |x_n - x| < \epsilon \).
Subsequence
A subsequence is a sequence derived from another sequence by omitting some of its elements, without changing the order of the remaining elements. If you imagine cutting a string of pearls but only slipping off some pearls, the pearls you leave make up the subsequence.
- A subsequence of a sequence \( (x_n) \) is denoted by \( (x_{n_k}) \), where \( (n_k) \) is a strictly increasing sequence of indices.
- Subsequences maintain the order of appearance as in the original sequence, they just might "skip" some elements.
- Importantly, if a subsequence converges to some limit \( x \), it can provide key information about the convergence of the full sequence.
Convergence Proof
Proving that a sequence converges requires demonstrating that the terms of the sequence get arbitrarily close to a certain number, called the limit. In the case of a Cauchy sequence \( (x_n) \) with a known convergent subsequence \( (x_{n_k}) \rightarrow x \), convergence can be shown as follows:
- First, note that a subsequence converges to a limit means for every \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exists \( K \) such that for all \( k > K \), \( |x_{n_k} - x| < \epsilon/2 \).
- The original sequence being Cauchy implies that for the \( \epsilon/2 \) chosen, there exists an \( N \) so that for all \( m, n > N \), we have \( |x_m - x_n| < \epsilon/2 \).
- Pick \( m = n_k \), with \( n_k > N \). Due to the convergence of \( (x_{n_k}) \), we know \( |x_{n_k} - x| < \epsilon/2 \).
- Therefore, for any \( n > N \), the triangle inequality gives \( |x_n - x| \leq |x_n - x_{n_k}| + |x_{n_k} - x| < \epsilon/2 + \epsilon/2 = \epsilon \).