M 317 sec 2

Exam on Chapters 1 and 2

Solutions

1.Let a n denote a bounded sequence that does not converge. Prove that a n contains at least two subsequences that converge to different limits. Solution: Since the sequence is bounded, it must have at least one limit point (B-W thm) If that is the only limit point, the sequence would be convergent thus there must be at least one more limit point. 2. Either give an example of a sequence with the following property or else state a theorem that shows why no such example is possible. a) a sequence of nested intervals whose lengths decrease to 0 but no points are contained in the intersection of the intervals. Solution: The sequence of intervals I n  0, 1 , n N is a nested sequence since n 1 , decrease to zero. But I n1 I n and their lengths |I n |  n n N I n contains no points. Since the intervals are not bounded, this does not violate the nested interval thm. b) an increasing bounded sequence that contains no convergent subsequence No such sequence is possible. Any subsequence of the original sequence retains terms in their original order which forces them to be increasing, and since the original sequence is bounded, so must the subsequences be bounded and then the monotone sequence theorem forces the subsequences to converge. 3.. For each of the following sequences, choose an L and find an N such that |a n L|   10
5

if

n  N, n2  n 1
3

or else state a result that shows the sequence does not converge. Solution a n2 n 1
3

L0 if

n2 n 1
3

0 

if

1  n3  1  n  1 n2 n2

Then |a n

L| 

n 1 N

b n 1  1 n  0, 4, 0, 8, 0, 12, 0, . . . This sequence is unbounded and has two limit points (zero and plus infinity) as well. Then either of two theorems can be used to show the sequence does not converge (not bounded implies not cvg or uniqueness of limits) 4.. Prove that a n  Solution: n is a Cauchy sequence. n1 |a n  am |  n n1  m m1 1 m1  m n n1 m1 0 as n  m

say n  m

n n1 m1

5. Tell which statements are true and explain your answer: a) a sequence is bounded if and only if all its subsequences are bounded. True. If |a n |  M n. then |a n k |  M n k . If |a n | is eventually larger than any B  0, then |a n k | is eventually larger than B. b) a sequence is monotone if and only if all its subsequences are monotone. True. Since the sequence is monotone and the subsequence maintains the order of its terms, the subsequence is monotone also. If the sequence contains a subsequence that is not monotone, then the original sequence is not monotone since the order of terms is preserved. 6. Suppose a n is a sequence of positive numbers. a) What can you conclude about a n if n N, a n1  1 ? an

Solution: The sequence is striclty decreasing since a n1  a n and since the terms are all positive, the sequence is bounded below by zero. Then the monotone sequence implies a n converges to 0. b) What can you conclude about a n if lim n 1 1 n a n  ?

The numerator converges to 1 so if the quotient goes to , the denominator must tend to 0. 7. Give an example of a sequence that is strictly decreasing to the limit 5. You must show that the sequence is strictly decreasing and state a theorem that tells you the limit is 5. Solution: The sequence a n  5  1 is strictly decreasing since n a n1  5  1  5  1  a n , and a n 5 n n n1 Then by the monotone sequence theorem, the sequence converges to 5. Could also use the squeeze theorem to prove convergence. 8. Give an example of a sequence that converges to the limit 5 where the sequence contains infinitely many terms that are greater than 5 as well as infinitely many terms that are less than 5 and prove the convergence. Solution: The sequence a n  5  1 1 n satisfies n 1 1  a 2n , n a 2n 1  5  5  5 2n 1 2n Then use the monotone sequence theorem or the definition of convergence 1 so |a n 5|  i.e., if n  1 |a n 5| n to prove a n 5