Chapter 11: Problem 97
In Exercises \(97-100,\) determine if the sequence is nondecreasing and if it is bounded from above. $$ a_{n}=\frac{3 n+1}{n+1} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The sequence is nondecreasing and bounded from above by 3.
Step by step solution
01
Write the sequence formula
The sequence given is \(a_n = \frac{3n + 1}{n + 1}\). Our task is to determine if this sequence is nondecreasing and if it is bounded from above.
02
Check if the sequence is nondecreasing
To check if a sequence \(a_n\) is nondecreasing, we must ensure that \(a_{n+1} \geq a_n\) for all \(n\). Calculate \(a_{n+1}\): \[a_{n+1} = \frac{3(n+1) + 1}{(n+1) + 1} = \frac{3n + 4}{n + 2}.\] We need to compare \(a_{n+1}\) and \(a_n\): \[\frac{3n+4}{n+2} \geq \frac{3n+1}{n+1}.\] Clear the fractions by cross-multiplying: \[(3n+4)(n+1) \geq (3n+1)(n+2).\] Expanding both sides gives: \[3n^2 + 7n + 4 \geq 3n^2 + 7n + 2.\] Simplifying gives: \[4 \geq 2,\] which is true, confirming the sequence is nondecreasing.
03
Determine if the sequence is bounded from above
To check if the sequence \(a_n\) is bounded from above, find the limit as \(n\) approaches infinity. The degree of the numerator and denominator both being 1, examine \(\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{3n + 1}{n + 1} = \frac{3}{1} = 3\). This shows the sequence approaches 3, thereby bounding the sequence above by 3.
04
Conclusion
The sequence \(a_n = \frac{3n+1}{n+1}\) is nondecreasing, as shown by \(a_{n+1} \geq a_n\). Additionally, it is bounded from above by 3, as the limit as \(n\) approaches infinity shows the series tending towards 3.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Nondecreasing Sequences
A nondecreasing sequence is one where each term is not less than the previous term. In mathematical terms, this means for any term \( a_n \), the next term \( a_{n+1} \) is either equal to or greater than \( a_n \). For the sequence \( a_n = \frac{3n + 1}{n + 1} \), we confirmed that it is indeed nondecreasing.
To determine this, we compared \( a_{n+1} \) and \( a_n \). After simplification, it showed:
The inclusion of terms like \( 3n + 4 \) and \( n + 2 \) should not confuse the essential understanding. It's all about confirming one term doesn’t dip below the one before it.
To determine this, we compared \( a_{n+1} \) and \( a_n \). After simplification, it showed:
- The inequality \( a_{n+1} \geq a_n \).
- This holds for all \( n \), meaning the entire sequence maintains the nondecreasing condition.
The inclusion of terms like \( 3n + 4 \) and \( n + 2 \) should not confuse the essential understanding. It's all about confirming one term doesn’t dip below the one before it.
Bounded Sequences
A sequence is termed 'bounded from above' if there exists a number such that no term in the sequence exceeds that number. For the sequence \( a_n = \frac{3n + 1}{n + 1} \), we sought to find if there was an upper boundary. The crucial method here is analyzing the behavior of the sequence as \( n \) becomes very large.
What's fascinating about this sequence is that both its numerator and denominator tend towards infinity, yet at the same rate. This relationship culminates in:
What's fascinating about this sequence is that both its numerator and denominator tend towards infinity, yet at the same rate. This relationship culminates in:
- The limit as \( n \to \infty \) is \( \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{3n + 1}{n + 1} = 3 \).
- Which means the sequence settles around and does not exceed 3 after sufficiently large \( n \).
Limits of Sequences
Understanding the concept of limits in sequences is key in analyzing their long-term behavior. Limits tell us the value that the terms of a sequence approach as \( n \) becomes very large. For the sequence \( a_n = \frac{3n + 1}{n + 1} \), we determined that its limit, as \( n \to \infty \), is 3.
In sequences, the approach to the limit is vital because:
In sequences, the approach to the limit is vital because:
- A sequence approaching a finite limit \( L \) implies stability over time.
- The elements of the sequence become arbitrarily close to \( L \) as \( n \) increases.