Chapter 10: Problem 84
Which of the sequences \(\left\\{a_{n}\right\\}\) converge, and which diverge? Find the limit of each convergent sequence. \(a_{n}=\sqrt[n]{n^{2}+n}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The sequence converges to 1 as \( n \to \infty \).
Step by step solution
01
Write the sequence formula
The sequence you are given is \( a_n = \sqrt[n]{n^2 + n} \). This expression represents the \( n \)-th term of the sequence \( \{a_n\} \).
02
Simplify the expression inside the root
Notice that as \( n \) becomes very large, the term \( n^2 + n \) can be approximated by \( n^2 \) since \( n^2 + n \equiv n^2(1 + \frac{1}{n}) \). This simplification is helpful to explore the behavior of the sequence as \( n \to \infty \).
03
Rewrite the sequence using the simplification
Given the simplification, you can rewrite the expression as \( a_n = \sqrt[n]{n^2(1 + \frac{1}{n})} \). By property of roots, this can be expressed as \( a_n = \left(n^2\right)^{1/n}(1+\frac{1}{n})^{1/n} \).
04
Further simplify \((n^2)^{1/n}\)
Recall that \((n^2)^{1/n} = n^{2/n} = (e^{\ln(n^2)})^{1/n} = e^{\frac{2\ln(n)}{n}}\). As \( n \to \infty \), \( \frac{2\ln(n)}{n} \to 0\). Therefore, \( n^{2/n} \to e^0 = 1 \).
05
Simplify \((1+\frac{1}{n})^{1/n}\)
For the expression \( (1+\frac{1}{n})^{1/n} \), we can use the fact that \( (1+x)^{x} \to 1 \) as \( x \to 0 \). Thus, as \( n \to \infty \), \( (1+\frac{1}{n})^{1/n} \to 1 \).
06
Determine the limit of the sequence
Combining results from steps 4 and 5, we get \( a_n = n^{2/n}(1+\frac{1}{n})^{1/n} \to 1 \times 1 = 1 \). This confirms that the sequence converges to 1.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Limit of a Sequence
Understanding the limit of a sequence is crucial in determining whether it converges or not. The limit of a sequence \(\) is defined as the value that the terms of the sequence approach as \( n\) becomes very large. In the exercise, the sequence is given by \(a_n = \sqrt[n]{n^2 + n}\). To find its limit, we analyze the behavior of the sequence as \( n\) approaches infinity.
- If a sequence approaches a single finite value, it converges to that limit.
- If it doesn't settle on any value, it diverges.
Sequence Simplification
Sequence simplification is a technique to understand the long-term behavior of a sequence. In essence, it's about making complicated sequences easier to analyze. Simplifying the sequence \( a_n = \sqrt[n]{n^2 + n}\) involves approximating the inner expression \( n^2 + n\) when \( n\) is very large.
- First, observe that \( n^2 + n\) can be simplified to \( n^2(1 + \frac{1}{n})\). Here, \( n^2\) dominates since it's much larger than \( n\) when \( n\) is large.
- Next, use properties of roots: \( a_n = ((n^2)^{1/n})(1 + \frac{1}{n})^{1/n}\).
n-th Term Behavior
Analyzing the \( n \)-th term behavior of a sequence helps determine how each term changes as \( n\) increases. For the sequence \( a_n = \sqrt[n]{n^2 + n}\), let's focus on the components:
- The term \( (n^2)^{1/n}\) can be rewritten as \( n^{2/n} = e^{\frac{2\ln(n)}{n}}\), which approaches 1 since \( \frac{2\ln(n)}{n}\) tends to 0.
- Similarly, \( (1 + \frac{1}{n})^{1/n}\) goes to 1 as it uses the approximation \( (1+x)^x \to 1\) as \( x \to 0\).
Infinite Sequences
Infinite sequences are sequences that continue indefinitely as \( n\) progresses to infinity. They are a foundation in the study of calculus and analysis. Convergence or divergence in these sequences tells us about the potential for finding a limit.
- In our sequence \( a_n = \sqrt[n]{n^2 + n}\), viewing it as an infinite sequence allows us to examine how its terms behave over the entirety of their lifespan.
- By determining its limit, we conclude that this sequence doesn't just wander aimlessly but homes in on a specific number — in this case, 1.