Questions tagged [limits-and-convergence]
Convergence of series, sequences and functions and different modes of convergence.
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Why do we teach calculus students the derivative as a limit?
I'm not teaching calculus right now, but I talk to someone who does, and the question that came up is why emphasize the $h \to 0$ definition of a derivative to calculus students?
Something a teacher ...
50
votes
1
answer
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Rearrangements of a power series at the boundary of convergence
Take some power series $f(z) = \sum a_n z^n$ with a finite non-zero radius of convergence. I can rearrange the terms of the series, say, to get a different infinite series
$$f_{\sigma}(z) = \sum_{n=0}^...
45
votes
5
answers
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How many rearrangements must fail to alter the value of a sum before you conclude that none do?
This will not be altogether unrelated to this earlier question.
For which classes $C$ of bijections from $\{1,2,3,\ldots\}$ to itself is it the case that for all sequences $\{a_i\}_{i=1}^\infty$ of ...
39
votes
3
answers
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A limit involving binomial coefficients: $\lim_{n\to\infty} (-1)^n\sum_{k=1}^n(-1)^k{n\choose k}^{-1/k}=\frac12$?
Experimentation suggests the limit
$$\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} (-1)^n\sum_{k=1}^n(-1)^k{n\choose k}^{-1/k}=\frac{1}{2}\ .$$
Does somebody have an idea for (a start of) a proof?
Added: There seem to ...
38
votes
7
answers
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Limits in category theory and analysis
Is it possible to regard limits in analysis (say, of real sequences or more generally nets in topological spaces) as limits in category theory? Is there some formal connection?
Edit ('13): Perhaps it ...
31
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0
answers
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A question related to the Hofstadter–Conway \$10000 sequence
The Hofstadter–Conway \$10000 sequence is defined by the nested recurrence relation $$c(n) = c(c(n-1)) + c(n-c(n-1))$$ with $c(1) = c(2) = 1$. This sequence is A004001 and it is well-known that this ...
30
votes
1
answer
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Rearrangements that never change the value of a sum
I posted this question on math.stackexchange.com and so far the only answer posted (also mentioned in the comments under the question) shows that one of my rash initial guesses about the bottom-line ...
28
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3
answers
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Does $a_n=\prod^n_{k=1}(1-e^{k\alpha \pi i})$ converge to zero when $\alpha$ is irrational?
I came across a problem concerning about the convergence of products. I wonder if the complex series $a_n=\prod^n_{k=1}(1-e^{k\alpha \pi i})$ converges to zero when $\alpha$ is irrational. Of course, ...
27
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4
answers
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Rate of convergence of $\frac{1}{\sqrt{n\ln n}}(\sum_{k=1}^n 1/\sqrt{X_k}-2n)$, $X_i$ i.i.d. uniform on $[0,1]$?
Let $(X_n)$ be a sequence of i.i.d. random variables uniformly distributed in $[0,1]$; and, for $n\geq 1$, set
$$
S_n = \sum_{k=1}^n \frac{1}{\sqrt{X_k}}\,.
$$
It follows from the generalized central ...
27
votes
5
answers
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How to show a function converges to 1
Consider the following recurrence relation in two variables:
$$f(a, b) = \frac{a}{a+b} f(a-1,b)+ \frac{b}{a+b}f(a+1,b-1) $$
for positive integers $a$ and $b$,
with the boundary conditions $f(0,b)=0$ ...
25
votes
1
answer
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"Harmonacci" recurrence and identities for $\pi$
While playing with something totally irrelevant I stumbled upon the recurrence:
$$a_{n+1} = \frac{1}{a_n} + a_{n-1}$$
It turns out that given $a_0 = 1, a_1 = 1$,
$$lim \frac{a_{2n}}{a_{2n-1}} = \...
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4
answers
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Letting $S(m)$ be the digit sum of $m$, then $\lim_{n\to\infty}S(3^n)=\infty$?
For any $m\in\mathbb N$, let $S(m)$ be the digit sum of $m$ in the decimal system.
For example, $S(1234)=1+2+3+4=10, S(2^5)=S(32)=5$.
Question 1 :Is the following true?
$$\lim_{n\to\infty}S(3^n)=\...
22
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1
answer
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A challenging (for me) limit calculation
How to calculate the following limit
$$
\lim_{n\to\infty}\sqrt{n}\underbrace{{}\sin(\sin(\sin(\sin(\cdots\sin(\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}})\cdots))))}_{n \text{ sin's}} \text{?}
$$
${}{}$
22
votes
1
answer
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Possible limits of $(1/n) \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} e^{i2\pi \cdot 2^k\alpha}$
I made a throwaway comment on math stackexchange the other day that got me thinking about the following question. Let
$$ f_n (\alpha) = \frac1n \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} e(2^k\alpha),$$
where $e(x) = \exp(i2\...
19
votes
4
answers
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Unique limits of sequences plus what implies Hausdorff?
It is known that there are non-Hausdorff spaces which admit unique limits for all convergent sequence (see here) and it is also known that unique limits for nets implies Hausdorff.
What I am ...
18
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1
answer
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Is the p-adic density of the image of a polynomial always rational?
This question was previously posted here on MSE.
Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients, and let $p$ be a prime number. For $n\in\mathbb N$, let $I_n$ be the number of integers $i\in\{1,\...
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"Find $\lim_{n \to \infty}\frac{x_n}{\sqrt{n}}$ where $x_{n+1}=x_n+\frac{n}{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}$" -where does this problem come from?
Recently, I encountered this problem:
"Given a sequence of positive number $(x_n)$ such that for all $n$,
$$x_{n+1}=x_n+\frac{n}{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}$$
Find the limit $\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \...
17
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1
answer
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Fraction of $S_n$ reachable by using every transposition once as $n\to\infty$?
For $n\in \mathbb{N}$ let $S_n$ denote the set of permutations (bijections) $\pi: \{0,\ldots,n-1\}\to \{0,\ldots,n-1\}$. A transposition swaps exactly $2$ elements and is often denoted by $(i \; k)$ ...
15
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2
answers
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In infinite dimensions, is it possible that convergence of distances to a sequence always implies convergence of that sequence?
This is a cross-posted on MSE here.
Let $(X,d)$ be a metric space. Say that $x_n\in X$ is a P-sequence if $\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}d(x_n,y)$ converges for every $y\in X.$ Say that $(X,d)$ is P-...
14
votes
2
answers
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Are weak and strong convergence of sequences not equivalent?
For some infinite-dimensional Banach spaces $E$, it is easy to find sequences $\langle x_i:i\in\mathbb N_0\rangle$ which converge to zero weakly but not in the norm topology, i.e. we have $\lim_{i\to\...
14
votes
2
answers
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Needing proof of convergence for a sequence
Let $\left\{u_i\right\}_{i=1}^\infty$ be a sequence of real vectors (i.e. $u_i\in R^n, i=1,2,... $) and $m$ an integer large enough such that $\sum_{i=1}^m u_i u_i^T$ is a positive definite matrix. ...
13
votes
5
answers
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Asymptotics of a Bernoulli-number-like function
Tony Lezard asked me the following question which seemed like it should not be too hard but which I did not immediately see how to answer. Define $f(n,k)$ recursively by $f(1,k) = 1$ and
$$f(n,k) = \...
13
votes
1
answer
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Behavior of $n^\alpha \sin^{\circ\, n}(n^{-\alpha}x)$
I'll write it formally: Let $\sin^{\circ\, 1}(x) = \sin(x)$ and $\sin^{\circ n+1}(x) = \sin\bigl(\sin^{\circ n}(x)\bigr)$ for $n\in \Bbb N$ with $n>1$.
What is the limit as $n \to \infty$?
It's ...
13
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2
answers
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Is there a $q$-L'Hospital's Rule?
Let $\binom{n}{j}_q$ be a $q$-binomial coefficient and $(x;q)_n = (1-x)(1-qx)\cdots(1-q^{n-1}x).$
Consider the sum $$f(n,m,r,k)= \sum\limits_{j = 0}^{2n} {( - 1)}^{ j}q^{mj^2+rj}
\binom{2n}{j}_{q^k}$...
13
votes
1
answer
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Is $\varliminf_{n \rightarrow +\infty} |n \sin n| = 0$ correct, where $n$ is an integer?
Is it true that $\varliminf_{n \rightarrow +\infty} |n \sin n| = 0$, where $n$
runs over the integers?
The existence of the limes inferior follows from Dirichlet's approximation theorem,
but the ...
12
votes
6
answers
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Discrete version of Ito's lemma
Could anyone give me some references where I could find
(a) discrete version(s) of Ito's lemma
(b) a proof how it converges to the continuous form in the limit
(c) its usage within stochastic ...
12
votes
1
answer
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Strange behavior of $x_{n+1}=x_n +\lambda \sin x_n$
Consider a sequence $(x_n)$ satisfying $x_{n+1}=x_n +\lambda \sin x_n$.
You would expect the sequence $x_n$ to depend on $x_0$ and to exhibit a chaotic, Brownian-type behavior, and indeed it does ...
12
votes
1
answer
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What is the structure associated to almost-everywhere convergence?
Let $M(X)$ be the vector space (actually it's an algebra) of all equivalent classes of measurable functions $X\to \mathbb{C}$ (where $X$ is a measured space) modulo equality almost-everywhere.
One ...
12
votes
1
answer
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Ultralimit versus partial limit
Let $\omega$ be a nonprincipal ultrafilter on $\mathbb N$.
A standard construction gives an $\omega$-limit, say $x_\omega$, for any bounded sequence $(x_n)$ of real numbers.
Namely, there is unique ...
12
votes
1
answer
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The geometric-mean factorial
Think of the factorial as $f(n) = n \odot (n-1) \odot \cdots \odot 2 \odot 1$,
where $\odot$ is the binary operator for multiplication, $\cdot$. This suggests exploring replacing
$\odot$ with other ...
12
votes
1
answer
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Subtracting the weak limit reduces the norm in the limit
Question
Let $X$ be some reflexive Banach space. Suppose $x_n$ is some sequence in $X$ that weak converges to some $y \neq 0$. Is it the case that
$$ \limsup \|x_n - y\| < \limsup \|x_n\| ?$$
...
12
votes
1
answer
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Convergence of the series involving Mobius functions $\sum_{k,d} \mu(d) x_{kd}$
(I originally asked this question here, but the problem appears much more difficult than I think after a moment of thought, so I think it might be more suitable to post it here. Please tell me if this ...
12
votes
2
answers
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Reference on Minty's trick
I am searching for a precise reference for the following result:
Consider $f:\mathbb{R}_+\rightarrow\mathbb{R}_+$ a nondecreasing function.
Assume that a sequence of nonnegative functions $(u_n)_n$ ...
12
votes
1
answer
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Convergence of an implicitly defined sequence of random variables
Let $\{X_n\}_{n\ge 1}$ be a sequence of independent identically distributed Poisson random variables with mean $\lambda^*$. Consider a sequence of random variables $\{\hat{\lambda}_{n}\}_{n\ge 1}$ ...
11
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3
answers
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What is the limit of $a (n + 1) / a (n)$?
Let $a(n) = f(n,n)$ where $f(m,n) = 1$ if $m < 2 $ or $ n < 2$ and $f(m,n) = f(m-1,n-1) + f(m-1,n-2) + 2 f(m-2,n-1)$ otherwise.
What is the limit of $a(n + 1) / a (n)$? $(2.71...)$
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votes
5
answers
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Emergence of the discrete from the continuum
An almost eternal theme in Mathematics is the approximation of the Continuum by the Discrete. This core idea goes back at least to Archimedes, and remains active to these very days (and quite likely ...
11
votes
2
answers
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Infinite limit of ratio of nth degree polynomials
The Problem
I have two recursively defined polynomials (skip to the bottom for background and motivation if you care about that) that represent the numerator and denominator of a factor and I want to ...
11
votes
2
answers
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Twice continuously differentiable implied by existence of limit
I have the following question. Let $f,g:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ be two continuous functions (vanishing at infinity) and assume that
$$
\frac{f(x+t)+f(x-t)-2f(x)}{t^2}\to g(x)
$$
for all $x\in X$ when ...
11
votes
3
answers
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Conditions under which $\lim_{s\to1^+}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{a_n}{n^s}=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{a_n}{n}$
I was working with some Dirichlet series and I realized that I have never seen any general conditions under which
\begin{equation}
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{a_n}{n}=\lim_{s\to1^+}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\...
11
votes
2
answers
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Value of $c$ such that $\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\sum_{k=1}^{n-1}\frac{1}{(n-k)c+\log(n!)-\log(k!)}=1$
What is the value of $c$ such that
$$\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\sum_{k=1}^{n-1}\frac{1}{(n-k)c+\log(n!)-\log(k!)}=1?$$
Numerically, it seems that the answer is $c=\log 2$. But I'd like to see a reason ...
11
votes
1
answer
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Integrals of power towers
Let's assume $x\in[0,1]$, and restrict all functions of $x$ that we consider to this domain. Consider a sequence $\mathcal S_n$ of sets of functions, where $n^{\text{th}}$ element is the set of all ...
10
votes
2
answers
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Convergence and non-convergence of left-point and mid-point Riemann sums
In standard calculus it is a well known fact that left-point and mid-point Riemann sums do become equal in the limit. When it comes to stochastic integration this is no longer the case. Taking the ...
10
votes
2
answers
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Central Limit Theorem (and Berry-Esseen theorem) for non-independent variables
Consider the triangular array $X_{n,k}$ such that, for each $n>0$, the variables $(X_{n,1},\cdots,X_{n,n})$ have the following properties:
For any given $1 \le L \le n$, all
subsets of
$(X_{n,1},\...
10
votes
1
answer
855
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Pointwise convergence imples uniform convergence in an infinite subset
I came upon this statement in a stack answer.
Statement :
If $f_n$ is a sequence of real valued functions (not necessarily continuous or measurable) on $[0,1]$ such that $f_n$ converges point-wise to $...
10
votes
1
answer
315
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Does the mean ratio of the largest prime factor in prime gaps to the lower bound of the gap converge?
Posting in MO since this questions has been unanswered in MSE for 3 months.
Let $p_n$ be the $n$-th prime and $q_n$ be largest among all the prime factors of the composite numbers between $p_n$ and $...
9
votes
2
answers
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How do I evaluate this sum :$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{H_{n}^3}{(n+1)2^n} $?
I have tried evaluating this series
$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{H_{n}^3}{(n+1)2^n} $$
using some methods but it's seems to me that it is very hard. However, I noticed that the series converges ...
9
votes
2
answers
608
views
Another limit involving the fractional part
It is known that
$$\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{1}{n}\sum_{k=1}^{n}\left\{ \frac{n}{k}\right\} =1-\gamma$$
where $\left\{ x\right\}$ is the fractional part of $x$ and $\gamma$ is the Euler constant. ...
9
votes
1
answer
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Convergence rate of the central limit theorem near the center of the distribution
I'm looking for fast convergence rates for the central limit theorem - when we are not near the tails of the distribution.
Specifically, from the general convergence rates stated in the Berry–Esseen ...
9
votes
2
answers
293
views
Ideal characterization of almost convergence
$\bullet$ A real sequence $x=(x_n)_n$ is called convergent to $\alpha$ in usual sense if for any $\epsilon>0$ the set $\{n\in\mathbb N:|x_n-\alpha|\geq\epsilon\}$ is finite.
$\bullet$ A real ...
9
votes
3
answers
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Asymptotic analysis of $x_{n+1} = \frac{x_n}{n^2} + \frac{n^2}{x_n} + 2$
Problem: Let $x_1 = 1$ and $x_{n+1} = \frac{x_n}{n^2} + \frac{n^2}{x_n} + 2, \ n\ge 1$.
Find the third term in the asymptotic expansion of $x_n$.
I have posted it in MSE six months ago without ...