Chapter 10: Problem 133
For a sequence \(\left\\{a_{n}\right\\}\) the terms of even index are denoted by \(a_{2 k}\) and the terms of odd index by \(a_{2 k+1} .\) Prove that if \(a_{2 k} \rightarrow L\) and \(a_{2 k+1} \rightarrow L,\) then \(a_{n} \rightarrow L\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
If both subsequences converge to \( L \), then the entire sequence also converges to \( L \).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Problem
We have a sequence \( \{a_n\} \) where the even-indexed terms \( a_{2k} \) and the odd-indexed terms \( a_{2k+1} \) both converge to the limit \( L \). We need to show that the entire sequence also converges to \( L \).
02
Using Definition of Sequence Convergence
According to the definition of convergence, a sequence \( a_n \) converges to \( L \) if for every \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exists an integer \( N \) such that for all \( n > N \), \( |a_n - L| < \epsilon \).
03
Convergence of Even-indexed Terms
By assumption, \( a_{2k} \rightarrow L \). This means that for every \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exists an integer \( N_1 \) such that for all even indexes \( 2k > N_1 \), \( |a_{2k} - L| < \epsilon \).
04
Convergence of Odd-indexed Terms
Similarly, since \( a_{2k+1} \rightarrow L \), for every \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exists an integer \( N_2 \) such that for all odd indexes \( 2k+1 > N_2 \), \( |a_{2k+1} - L| < \epsilon \).
05
Combining the Results
We need to find a single \( N \) such that for all \( n > N \), \(|a_n - L| < \epsilon \). Set \( N = \max(N_1, N_2) \). Then, for any \( n \), if \( n \) is even and \( n > N \), it follows that \( |a_{2k} - L| < \epsilon \). If \( n \) is odd and \( n > N \), then \(|a_{2k+1} - L| < \epsilon \). Thus, \( |a_n - L| < \epsilon \) for all \( n > N \).
06
Conclusion
Since for any \( \epsilon > 0 \), there exists an \( N \) such that for all \( n > N \), \( |a_n - L| < \epsilon \), we have shown that \( a_n \rightarrow L \). Thus, the entire sequence converges to the same limit \( L \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Even-Indexed Terms
When we refer to even-indexed terms in a sequence, these are the terms like \(a_2, a_4, a_6, ...\). Mathematically, these can be represented as \(a_{2k}\), where \(k\) is an integer. To visualize this, think about picking every second element from an ordered list, starting from the second position.
- If the sequence \(\{a_n\}\) represents someone's collection of marbles per month, the even-indexed terms are the number of marbles collected in February, April, June, and so on.
- For a sequence to converge, it means that as \(k\) goes to infinity, all the even-indexed terms get closer and closer to a specific number, called the limit \(L\).
- In our exercise, the even-indexed terms \(a_{2k}\) meet this condition as they converge to \(L\).
Odd-Indexed Terms
Odd-indexed terms in a sequence are those that fall at odd positions like \(a_1, a_3, a_5,...\). Representation-wise, they are denoted as \(a_{2k+1}\), where again \(k\) is an integer. These terms are similar to the even-indexed ones but start from the first item and skip every alternate term.
- Imagine a series of streetlights turning on in a row, with odd-indexed lights lighting up first. The sequence could represent the brightness levels of those particular lights.
- For convergence, as you consider more and more of these odd-indexed terms (as \(k\) increases), they too must approach the same limit \(L\).
- In the given exercise, the condition \(a_{2k+1} \to L\) implies that this behavior is occurring.
Limit of a Sequence
The concept of the limit is central to understanding sequence convergence. The goal is to show that the whole sequence \(\{a_n\}\) ends up surrounding a specific number \(L\) as you examine terms further in the sequence. This is what we call convergence.
- In simpler terms, for any small number \(\epsilon > 0\), there is a point after which all the terms of the sequence are within \(\epsilon\) of \(L\).
- The exercise showcases that when both the even-indexed and odd-indexed terms converge to \(L\), they combine to ensure that the whole sequence also converges.
- So, if you ever find yourself thinking about how sequences stabilize or what their end result is as \(n\) increases without bound, you are pondering about their limit.