Questions tagged [sequences-and-series]
for questions about sequences and series, e.g. convergence, closed form expressions, etc. Note that there is a different tag for spectral sequences, and also note that MathOverflow is not for homework. Please consider consulting the online encyclopedia for integer sequences, if you are trying to identify a given sequence that you have found in your research.
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On the first sequence without triple in arithmetic progression
In this Numberphile video (from 3:36 to 7:41), Neil Sloane explains an amazing sequence:
It is the lexicographically first among the sequences of positive integers without triple in arithmetic ...
32
votes
0
answers
2k
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The easily bored sequence
If we want to compare the repetitiveness of two finite words, it looks reasonable, first of all, to consider more repetitive the word repeating more times one of its factors, and secondarily to ...
31
votes
0
answers
2k
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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 ...
28
votes
0
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695
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Does this infinite primes snake-product converge?
This re-asks a question I posed on MSE:
Q. Does this infinite product converge?
$$
\frac{2}{3}\cdot\frac{7}{5}\cdot\frac{11}{13}\cdot\frac{19}{17}\cdot\frac{23}{29}\cdot\frac{37}{31} \cdot \cdots \...
23
votes
0
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1k
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Is A276175 integer-only?
The terms of the sequence A276123, defined by $a_0=a_1=a_2=1$ and $$a_n=\dfrac{(a_{n-1}+1)(a_{n-2}+1)}{a_{n-3}}\;,$$ are all integers (it's easy to prove that for all $n\geq2$, $a_n=\frac{9-3(-1)^n}{2}...
19
votes
0
answers
770
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Series for envelope of triangle area bisectors
The lines which bisect the area of a triangle form an envelope as shown in this picture
It is not difficult to show that the ratio of the area of the red deltoid to the area of the triangle is $$\...
18
votes
0
answers
746
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Two curious series for $1/\pi$
On Jan. 18, 2012 I conjectured that for any prime $p>3$ we have
$$R_p^2\equiv\frac1{10}\left(512\left(\frac{10}p\right)-27\left(\frac{-15}p\right)-475\right)\pmod p,$$
where $(\frac{\cdot}p)$ ...
16
votes
0
answers
392
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Division of a square and value of a disk
[Full disclosure] I asked this question on math.stackexchange with little success : https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1866295/division-of-a-square-and-value-of-a-disk
I cam across this problem ...
16
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0
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769
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How to explain the picturesque patterns in François Brunault's matrix?
How to explain the patterns in the matrix defined in François Brunault's
answer to the question Freeness of a Z[x] module depicted below? --
Choosing colors according to the highest power of 2 which ...
16
votes
0
answers
1k
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Regularizing the divergent sum $1^k + 2^k + \cdots$
EDIT:
Under this "regularization", the harmonic series can be interpreted as $s_{-1}$ and assigned a value $$s_{-1} = \lim_{k \rightarrow 1} \zeta(k) (2-2^k) = -2 \log 2$$
I was looking at ...
14
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0
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367
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Will a unit disk be completely covered by randomly placed disks of area $\pi,\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{3},\dots$ with probability $1$?
On a "bottom" disk of area $\pi$, we place "top" disks of area $\pi,\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{3},\dots$ such that the centre of each top disk is an independent uniformly random ...
13
votes
0
answers
305
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Convergence of the series $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(2+\sin n)^n}{3^n n^a}$ for $a\in(0,1)$
This is inspired by this Math.SE question, for $a=1$.
Borwein, Bailey, and Girgensohn pose in their book ([1,Problem 35]) as an open problem the convergence of the series
$$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(2+\...
11
votes
0
answers
319
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Does any real function have a Lipschitzian restriction on $D$?
Does any real function have a Lipschitzian restriction on $D$, where $D$ is an infinite subset of $\Bbb R$ with an accumulation point?
10
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0
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493
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New series for $\zeta(5)$ involving second-order harmonic numbers
In 1997 T. Amdeberhan and D. Zeilberger proved that
$$\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{(-1)^k(205k^2-160k+32)}{k^5\binom{2k}k^5}=-2\zeta(3).\tag{1}$$
In 2008 J. Guillera obtained that
$$\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{(...
10
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0
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662
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Is there a proof that OEIS-A002387 is $[ e^{n-\gamma} ]$?
Based on the comments on OEIS-A002387:
$a_{n}$ = 1, 2, 4, 11, 31, 83, 227, 616,...
it is likely, that the sequence $a_{n}$ coincides with $[ e^{n-\gamma} ]$ ,
where $\gamma$ is the Euler-Mascheroni ...
9
votes
0
answers
318
views
When exactly is the principal AGM equal to the optimal AGM?
Definitions
Following the terminology of SageMath, let the principal arithmetic-geometric mean, $\operatorname{AGP}$, of $(a,b)\in\mathbb{C}^2$ for $a\ne 0$, $b\ne 0$, $a\ne\pm b$ be defined as ...
9
votes
0
answers
389
views
Generalizing Ramanujan's and the Chudnovskys' 1/pi formula (Part 1)
Some years ago, I asked in MSE a question about the Chudnovsky brothers pi formula. Later, I asked in MO a related question. The former was unanswered until a few days ago when L. Miller gave me a ...
9
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0
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218
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On the first sequence without collinear triple
Let $u_n$ be the sequence lexicographically first among the sequences of nonnegative integers with graphs without collinear three points (as for $a_n=n^2$ or $b_n=2^n$). It is a variation of that one.
...
9
votes
0
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177
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Infinite series identities in search of a proof
This comes in relation to the Fishburn numbers.
I stumbled on the following relation for which I ask a proof if true.
Let $Q_i(z):=1-(1-t)^{i-1}(1-zt)$. Then
$$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(n+1)zt}{...
9
votes
0
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497
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Can an infinite sum depending on the logarithms of all positive integers be rational or algebraic?
Consider
$$ C = \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(-1)^{f_1(n)} f_2(n) \log{n} + f_3(n)}{f_4(n)}$$
The sum converges. $f_1$ is either $0$ or $n-1$, $f_2,f_3,f_4$ are
polynomials with integer coefficients and $ ...
8
votes
0
answers
316
views
A hypergeometric series for $\sqrt3\pi$ with converging rate $1/9$
Recently, I found a (conjectural) new series for $\sqrt3\pi$:
$$\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{(8k-3)\binom{4k}{2k}}{k(4k-1)9^k\binom{2k}k^2}=\frac{\sqrt3\pi}{18}.\label{1}\tag{1}$$
The series converges fast ...
8
votes
1
answer
359
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You have $n$ rectangles of area $1$ and variable height. Pack as many as possible in a semicircle of area $n$. How many leftovers will there be?
You have $n$ rectangles of area $1$ and variable height. Pack as many of these rectangles as possible in a semicircle of area $n$. How many leftover rectangles will there be, in terms of $n$?
How to ...
8
votes
0
answers
245
views
Switching the order of a summation and replacing a series by its analytical continuation
Background
A useful trick when trying to analyze a series $\sum_{n=0}^\infty f(n)$ is to expand $f(n)$ as some kind of series, swap the order of summation, and then evaluate the inner infinite sum. ...
8
votes
0
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513
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Concave and other bounded functions: Series representation and converging polynomials
Main Question
Suppose $f:[0,1]\to[0,1]$ is continuous, polynomially bounded, and belongs to a large class of functions (for example, the $k$-th derivative, $k\ge 0$, is continuous, Lipschitz ...
8
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0
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236
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Sequences for which $\prod (1-z^n)^{a(n)}$ is a polynomial
This is mostly a reference request.
I'm working with complex coefficients, although all I have in mind have integer coefficients.
Let $a=(a(n))_{n\ge 1}$ be a sequence, say of integers (I have non-...
8
votes
0
answers
274
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On rational Ramanujan-type series for $1/\pi$
A Ramanujan-type series for $1/\pi$ is a series of the following form
$$
\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(\frac12)_n(\frac{1}{s})_n(1-\frac{1}{s})_n}{(1)_n^3} (bn+a) z^n=\frac{1}{\pi},
$$
where $(c)_n=c(c+1)...
8
votes
0
answers
191
views
The condition on $\alpha$ that $\alpha^n$ is convergent modulo 1
We consider numbers $\alpha\in \mathbb{R}$ with $|\alpha|>1$. Is there any result about a characterization of those $\alpha$ so that $\{\alpha^n\}_{n\in \mathbb{N}}$ is convergent modulo 1?
I ...
8
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0
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140
views
Minimum length of sequence such that every integer from 1 to n can be achieved as the sum of some contiguous subsequence
This question literally came to me in a fever dream last night, and it's frustrating me to no end. I'll try to explain it as best I can, but there may not be a satisfying answer; the best outcome ...
8
votes
0
answers
557
views
Evaluating $\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \binom{2z}{z-kn}$
Can we turn this sum into a simpler form ?
$$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \binom{2z}{z-kn}=\Gamma(2z+1)\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\Gamma(z-kn+1)\Gamma(z+kn+1)} \qquad;\qquad (z;n)\in \mathbb C \times \mathbb ...
8
votes
0
answers
703
views
Is this 2x2 determinant sequence positive and increasing?
Let $X_1,X_2,X_3$ be three discrete (integer and non-negative valued) random variables with local probabilities $a_k:=\mathbb{P}(X_1=k)$, $b_k:=\mathbb{P}(X_2=k)$, $c_k:=\mathbb{P}(X_3=k)$ and $s_k:=\...
8
votes
0
answers
986
views
On the sum of consecutive primes and product of first and last
Lets consider the sequence of consecutive prime numbers $p_1=2 , p_2=3 ,p_4=5 , \cdots$
. $(p_n,p_{j})$ is to be called good prime pair if $$\sum_{i =n }^{j}p_i= p_n p_{j}$$
Meaning the sum of set of ...
7
votes
0
answers
174
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Permutations which change the value of a convergent series
I'm interested in the following combinatorial problem: What is a necessary and sufficent condition on a permutation $\sigma : \mathbb{N} \rightarrow \mathbb{N}$, so that there exist a summable ...
7
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0
answers
419
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On H. Cohen's four continued fractions for $\zeta(3), \zeta(5), \zeta(7)$?
After 6 years from this old MO post, I finally find in the literature polynomials of deg-$5$ for the continued fraction of $\zeta(5)$.
I. Recurrences involving $\zeta(5)$
In Cohen's 2022 paper, ...
7
votes
0
answers
297
views
Gottfried Helms' tetra-eta series
Here Gottfried Helms introduces the following fascinating divergent series
$$ T_2(x)=- \sum_{n=1}^\infty (-1)^n n^{n^x}$$
The terms don't go to zero, so technically the series does not converge ...
7
votes
0
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427
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Dynamics of a curious bijection of $\mathbb N$
The two sequences A48680 and A48679 of the OEIS define two mutually inverse bijections on the set of all strictly positive natural numbers given (for the comfort of the reader) as follows:
Given an ...
7
votes
0
answers
133
views
Characterization of tempered distributions from tempered sequences
Let $\mathcal{D}(\mathbb{R})$ be the space of compactly supported and infinitely smooth functions for its usual topology. Let
$\mathcal{D}'(\mathbb{R})$ be the topological dual of $\mathcal{D}(\...
7
votes
0
answers
199
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Fraction of elements in $\mathbb{Z}_n$ satisfying a certain equation
From a question arising in Game Theory, I want to calculate the sequence
$$
a_n =
\max_{f_A, f_B : \mathbb{Z}_n \to \mathbb{Z}_n}
\frac{\#
\left\{
(x,y) | f_A(x) - f_B(y) = xy \mod n
\right\}}{n^2}
$$...
7
votes
0
answers
225
views
Is there a connection between the sequence of a finite number of Stieltjes constants and the integer partitions number?
Lehmer 1988 and Keiper 1992 made major progress on evaluating the series:
$$\sigma_r = \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \left( \frac{1}{\rho_k^r} + \frac{1}{(1-\rho_k)^r}\right) \quad r \in \mathbb{N}$$
where $\...
7
votes
0
answers
330
views
Do generalizations of the identity $\sum_{n=k+2}^{\infty} \binom{n-1}{k} (\zeta(n) -1) = 1 $ exist?
On p. 263 of Borwein's paper entitled “Computational Strategies for the Riemann zeta function”, the following identity is stated: $$\sum_{n=k+2}^{\infty} \binom{n-1}{k} (\zeta(n) -1) =1 . \qquad \...
7
votes
0
answers
197
views
My research paper involves computing additional terms of an existing OEIS sequence. Should I first amend the sequence or publish the results?
In the course of my research I computed terms of an existing OEIS sequence that are currently unknown. Having prepared my paper for publication, I am now faced with a (small) dilemma:
Do I first ...
7
votes
0
answers
210
views
How to prove the identity $\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{3H_{k-1}^2+4H_{k-1}/k}{k^2\binom{2k}k}=\frac{\pi^4}{360}$?
For each $n=0,1,2,\ldots$, the harmonic number $H_n$ is given by
$$H_n:=\sum_{0<k\le n}\frac1k.$$
In 2016 I conjectured that
$$\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{3H_{k-1}^2+4H_{k-1}/k}{k^2\binom{2k}k}=\frac{...
7
votes
0
answers
308
views
Alternative approaches to Zudilin's proof of Apéry's theorem
The article
Wadim Zudilin, Apéry's theorem. Thirty years after, Int. J. Math. Comput. Sci. 4 (2009), no. 1 pp 9–19. (arXiv:math/0202159, with the title An elementary proof of Apéry's theorem)
...
7
votes
0
answers
205
views
Has this self-similar sequence the ratio $(\sqrt2+1)^2$?
This is inspired by a math.SE question, where an infinite sequence of pairwise distinct natural numbers $a_1=1, a_2, a_3, ...$ has been defined as follows:
$a_n$ is the smallest number such that $s_n:=...
7
votes
0
answers
934
views
A problem of Erdős on convergence of $\sum (-1)^nn/p_n$ and equidistribution of $\pi(n)$ modulo 2
Erdős asked1 whether the series
$$\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n n}{p_n}$$ converges.
Here, $p_n$ denotes the n-th prime.
I can show that this series converges simultaneously with the series $\sum_{...
7
votes
0
answers
247
views
Why does a polynomial with discriminant $d=-163$ appear in this sequence?
Fact 1: Given the eta quotient,
$$x_d= e^{2\pi\rm{i}/48}\,\frac{\eta(\tau)}{\eta(2\tau)}$$
where $\tau=\frac{1+\sqrt{-d}}2$, then $x_d$ for $d=11,19,43,67,163$ are the roots of the simple cubics,
$$...
7
votes
0
answers
122
views
in search of intepretations and connections for $k$-central binomials
Fix a positive integer $k$. Then, the sequences
$$c(n,k)=\frac{k^n}{n!}\prod_{m=1}^{n-1}(1+km)=[x^n]\left(\frac1{1-k^2x}\right)^{1/k}$$
are referred to as "$k$-central binomial coefficients",...
7
votes
0
answers
288
views
An integral for the tribonacci constant and the general case
When I asked for integrals involving the tribonacci constant $T$, user @nospoon gave the nice answer,
$$\int_0^{\infty} \eta( i \, x)\,\eta(i \,11 x) \,dx = \frac{ \ln T}{\sqrt{11}} $$
However, the ...
7
votes
0
answers
454
views
Analytic expression for the Tsirelson bound of the I3322 inequality?
Finding Tsirelson bounds for Bell inequalities is a well-loved problem in quantum information theory. A famous case where it is still open is for the I3322 inequality. In this paper Pál and Vértesi ...
7
votes
0
answers
186
views
How to assess the influence of a specific term in this telescoping series for $\zeta(s)$?
I like to expand on this (unanswered) MSE question.
Take the following, nicely symmetrical, telescoping series for $\zeta(s)$:
$$\displaystyle \zeta(s) = \frac{1}{2\,(s-1)} \left(1+\sum _{n=1}^{\...
7
votes
0
answers
325
views
About the first decimal of $\sqrt {n!}$
Do we have :
$$\sup\{\sqrt {n!} - E(\sqrt {n!}); n\in I\!\!N\}=1?$$
Where $E(\cdot)$ is the integer part function, and $n!=1\times 2...\times n$.