{"id":861,"date":"2025-06-20T17:18:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T17:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=861"},"modified":"2025-09-09T19:47:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:47:11","slug":"basics-of-differential-equations-learn-it-3-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/chapter\/basics-of-differential-equations-learn-it-3-2\/","title":{"raw":"Sequences and Their Properties: Learn It 3","rendered":"Sequences and Their Properties: Learn It 3"},"content":{"raw":"<h2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-1 text-text-100\">Evaluating Sequence Limits<\/h2>\r\nNow that we understand the basic theory of sequence limits, let's put our tools to work. We'll start by analyzing geometric sequences and then move on to more complex examples using algebraic limit laws.\r\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Geometric Sequences and Their Limits<\/h3>\r\nWe can use our theorem about function limits to evaluate [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}r^n[\/latex] for different values of [latex]r[\/latex].\r\n\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\" aria-label=\"Example\">Consider the sequence [latex]{(\\frac{1}{2})^n}[\/latex] and the related exponential function [latex]f(x) = (\\frac{1}{2})^x[\/latex]. Since [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}(\\frac{1}{2})^x = 0[\/latex], we conclude that the sequence [latex]{(\\frac{1}{2})^n}[\/latex] converges to 0.<\/section>This pattern extends to all geometric sequences:\r\n\r\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\" aria-label=\"Key Takeaway\">\r\n<h3>limits of geometric sequences [latex]{r^n}[\/latex]<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">If [latex]0 &lt; r &lt; 1[\/latex]: [latex]r^n \\to 0[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">If [latex]r = 1[\/latex]: [latex]r^n \\to 1[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">If [latex]r &gt; 1[\/latex]: [latex]r^n \\to \\infty[\/latex] (diverges)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Working with More Complex Sequences<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Now let's tackle sequences with more complicated terms. Consider the sequence [latex]{(\\frac{2}{3})^n + (\\frac{1}{4})^n}[\/latex].<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Rather than analyzing this directly, we can break it down using what we know about simpler sequences. Since both [latex]{(\\frac{2}{3})^n}[\/latex] and [latex]{(\\frac{1}{4})^n}[\/latex] converge to 0, their sum should converge to [latex]0 + 0 = 0[\/latex].<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">This intuitive approach works because of algebraic limit laws for sequences, which parallel the limit laws you learned for functions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\" aria-label=\"Key Takeaway\">\r\n<h3>algebraic limit laws for sequences<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"fs-id1169736851216\">Given sequences [latex]\\{{a}_{n}\\}[\/latex] and [latex]\\{{b}_{n}\\}[\/latex] and any real number [latex]c[\/latex], if there exist constants [latex]A[\/latex] and [latex]B[\/latex] such that [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}=A[\/latex] and [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n}=B[\/latex], then:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol id=\"fs-id1169736859587\" type=\"i\">\r\n \t<li><strong>Constant:<\/strong> [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}c=c[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Scalar multiplication:<\/strong> [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}c{a}_{n}=c\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}=cA[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Addition\/Subtraction:<\/strong> [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}({a}_{n}\\pm {b}_{n})=\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}\\pm \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n}=A\\pm B[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Multiplication<\/strong>: [latex]\\underset{\\text{n}\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}({a}_{n}\\cdot {b}_{n})=(\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n})\\cdot (\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n})=A\\cdot B[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Division<\/strong>: [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}(\\frac{{a}_{n}}{{b}_{n}})=\\frac{\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}}{\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n}}=\\frac{A}{B}[\/latex], provided [latex]B\\ne 0[\/latex] and each [latex]{b}_{n}\\ne 0[\/latex].<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/section><section class=\"textbox connectIt\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Proof<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n<p id=\"fs-id1169736843622\">We prove part iii.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-id1169736843625\">Let [latex] &gt;0[\/latex]. Since [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}=A[\/latex], there exists a constant positive integer [latex]{N}_{1}[\/latex] such that for all [latex]n\\ge {N}_{1}[\/latex]. Since [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n}=B[\/latex], there exists a constant [latex]{N}_{2}[\/latex] such that [latex]|{b}_{n}-B|&lt;\\frac{\\epsilon}{2}[\/latex] for all [latex]n\\ge {N}_{2}[\/latex]. Let [latex]N[\/latex] be the largest of [latex]{N}_{1}[\/latex] and [latex]{N}_{2}[\/latex]. Therefore, for all [latex]n\\ge N[\/latex],<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-id1169736852772\" style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]|\\left({a}_{n}+{b}_{n}\\right)\\text{-}\\left(A+B\\right)|\\le |{a}_{n}-A|+|{b}_{n}-B|&lt;\\frac{\\epsilon }{2}+\\frac{\\epsilon }{2}=\\epsilon [\/latex].<\/p>\r\n[latex]_\\blacksquare[\/latex]\r\n\r\n<\/section><section class=\"textbox proTip\" aria-label=\"Pro Tip\">\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">These laws let you break complex sequences into simpler pieces. Look for:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7\">\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Terms you can factor out (use scalar multiplication)<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Sums or differences of familiar sequences<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Products of sequences you already understand<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">Just like with function limits, these tools make seemingly difficult problems much more manageable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/section>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">The algebraic limit laws give us powerful tools for evaluating many sequence limits. Let's start with a fundamental result that we'll use repeatedly.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Since we know [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{n} = 0[\/latex], we can extend this to any positive power:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Key result:<\/strong> For any positive integer [latex]k[\/latex]: [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{n^k} = 0[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">This simple fact, combined with our limit laws, allows us to handle many complex sequences. But first, let's recall an important technique from precalculus that will help us with rational expressions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"textbox recall\" aria-label=\"Recall\">\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>End Behavior of Rational Functions<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">For [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{P(x)}{Q(x)}[\/latex] where [latex]P(x)[\/latex] and [latex]Q(x)[\/latex] are polynomials:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Case 1:<\/strong> If degree of [latex]P(x) &lt;[\/latex] degree of [latex]Q(x)[\/latex]: [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}} \\frac{P(x)}{Q(x)} = 0[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Case 2:<\/strong> If degree of [latex]P(x) &gt;[\/latex] degree of [latex]Q(x)[\/latex]: [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}} \\frac{P(x)}{Q(x)} = \\infty[\/latex] (or [latex]-\\infty[\/latex])<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Case 3:<\/strong> If degree of [latex]P(x) =[\/latex] degree of [latex]Q(x)[\/latex]: [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{P(x)}{Q(x)} = \\frac{\\text{leading coefficient of }P(x)}{\\text{leading coefficient of }Q(x)}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/section><section class=\"textbox example\" aria-label=\"Example\">\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739198467\" data-type=\"problem\">\r\n<p id=\"fs-id1169739198472\">For each of the following sequences, determine whether or not the sequence converges. If it converges, find its limit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol id=\"fs-id1169739198476\" type=\"a\">\r\n \t<li>[latex]\\left\\{5-\\frac{3}{{n}^{2}}\\right\\}[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n \t<li>[latex]\\left\\{\\frac{3{n}^{4}-7{n}^{2}+5}{6 - 4{n}^{4}}\\right\\}[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n \t<li>[latex]\\left\\{\\frac{{2}^{n}}{{n}^{2}}\\right\\}[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n \t<li>[latex]\\left\\{{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{n}\\right)}^{n}\\right\\}[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"44558893\"]Show Solution[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"44558893\"]\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736685702\" data-type=\"solution\">\r\n<ol id=\"fs-id1169736685704\" type=\"a\">\r\n \t<li>We know that [latex]\\frac{1}{n}\\to 0[\/latex]. Using this fact, we conclude that<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736685730\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{2}}=\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(\\frac{1}{n}\\right).\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(\\frac{1}{n}\\right)=0[\/latex].<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nTherefore,<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736592512\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(5-\\frac{3}{{n}^{2}}\\right)=\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}5 - 3\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{2}}=5 - 3.0=5[\/latex].<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nThe sequence converges and its limit is [latex]5[\/latex].<\/li>\r\n \t<li>By factoring [latex]{n}^{4}[\/latex] out of the numerator and denominator and using the limit laws above, we have<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736852722\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\begin{array}{cc}\\hfill \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{3{n}^{4}-7{n}^{2}+5}{6 - 4{n}^{4}}&amp; =\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{3-\\frac{7}{{n}^{2}}+\\frac{5}{{n}^{4}}}{\\frac{6}{{n}^{4}}-4}\\hfill \\\\ &amp; =\\frac{\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(3-\\frac{7}{{n}^{2}}+\\frac{5}{{n}^{4}}\\right)}{\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(\\frac{6}{{n}^{4}}-4\\right)}\\hfill \\\\ &amp; =\\frac{\\left(\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(3\\right)\\text{-}\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{7}{{n}^{2}}+\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{5}{{n}^{4}}\\right)}{\\left(\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{6}{{n}^{4}}-\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(4\\right)\\right)}\\hfill \\\\ &amp; =\\frac{\\left(\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(3\\right)\\text{-}7\\cdot \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{2}}+5\\cdot \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{4}}\\right)}{\\left(6\\cdot \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{4}}-\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(4\\right)\\right)}\\hfill \\\\ &amp; =\\frac{3 - 7\\cdot 0+5\\cdot 0}{6\\cdot 0 - 4}=-\\frac{3}{4}.\\hfill \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nThe sequence converges and its limit is [latex]\\frac{-3}{4}[\/latex].<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Consider the related function [latex]f\\left(x\\right)=\\frac{{2}^{x}}{{x}^{2}}[\/latex] defined on all real numbers [latex]x&gt;0[\/latex]. Since [latex]{2}^{x}\\to \\infty [\/latex] and [latex]{x}^{2}\\to \\infty [\/latex] as [latex]x\\to \\infty [\/latex], apply L\u2019H\u00f4pital\u2019s rule and write<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736843724\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\begin{array}{ccccc}\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{{2}^{x}}{{x}^{2}}\\hfill &amp; =\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{{2}^{x}\\text{ln}2}{2x}\\hfill &amp; &amp; &amp; \\text{Take the derivatives of the numerator and denominator.}\\hfill \\\\ &amp; =\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{{2}^{x}{\\left(\\text{ln}2\\right)}^{2}}{2}\\hfill &amp; &amp; &amp; \\text{Take the derivatives again.}\\hfill \\\\ &amp; =\\infty .\\hfill &amp; &amp; &amp; \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nWe conclude that the sequence diverges.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Consider the function [latex]f\\left(x\\right)={\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}[\/latex] defined on all real numbers [latex]x&gt;0[\/latex]. This function has the indeterminate form [latex]{1}^{\\infty }[\/latex] as [latex]x\\to \\infty [\/latex]. Let<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739077453\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]y=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}[\/latex].<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nNow taking the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation, we obtain<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739041766\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\text{ln}\\left(y\\right)=\\text{ln}\\left[\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}\\right][\/latex].<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nSince the function [latex]f\\left(x\\right)=\\text{ln}x[\/latex] is continuous on its domain, we can interchange the limit and the natural logarithm. Therefore,<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739041850\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\text{ln}\\left(y\\right)=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left[\\text{ln}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}\\right][\/latex].<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nUsing properties of logarithms, we write<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739027115\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left[\\text{ln}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}\\right]=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}x\\text{ln}\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)[\/latex].<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nSince the right-hand side of this equation has the indeterminate form [latex]\\infty \\cdot 0[\/latex], rewrite it as a fraction to apply L\u2019H\u00f4pital\u2019s rule. Write<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736850558\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}x\\text{ln}\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{\\text{ln}\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}{\\frac{1}{x}}[\/latex].<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nSince the right-hand side is now in the indeterminate form [latex]\\frac{0}{0}[\/latex], we are able to apply L\u2019H\u00f4pital\u2019s rule. We conclude that<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736741267\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{\\text{ln}\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}{\\frac{1}{x}}=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{4}{1+\\frac{4}{x}}=4[\/latex].<\/div>\r\n<span data-type=\"newline\">\r\n<\/span>\r\nTherefore, [latex]\\text{ln}\\left(y\\right)=4[\/latex] and [latex]y={e}^{4}[\/latex]. Therefore, since [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}={e}^{4}[\/latex], we can conclude that the sequence [latex]\\left\\{{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{n}\\right)}^{n}\\right\\}[\/latex] converges to [latex]{e}^{4}[\/latex].<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<h2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-1 text-text-100\">Evaluating Sequence Limits<\/h2>\n<p>Now that we understand the basic theory of sequence limits, let&#8217;s put our tools to work. We&#8217;ll start by analyzing geometric sequences and then move on to more complex examples using algebraic limit laws.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Geometric Sequences and Their Limits<\/h3>\n<p>We can use our theorem about function limits to evaluate [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}r^n[\/latex] for different values of [latex]r[\/latex].<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\" aria-label=\"Example\">Consider the sequence [latex]{(\\frac{1}{2})^n}[\/latex] and the related exponential function [latex]f(x) = (\\frac{1}{2})^x[\/latex]. Since [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}(\\frac{1}{2})^x = 0[\/latex], we conclude that the sequence [latex]{(\\frac{1}{2})^n}[\/latex] converges to 0.<\/section>\n<p>This pattern extends to all geometric sequences:<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\" aria-label=\"Key Takeaway\">\n<h3>limits of geometric sequences [latex]{r^n}[\/latex]<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">If [latex]0 < r < 1[\/latex]: [latex]r^n \\to 0[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">If [latex]r = 1[\/latex]: [latex]r^n \\to 1[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">If [latex]r > 1[\/latex]: [latex]r^n \\to \\infty[\/latex] (diverges)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Working with More Complex Sequences<\/h3>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Now let&#8217;s tackle sequences with more complicated terms. Consider the sequence [latex]{(\\frac{2}{3})^n + (\\frac{1}{4})^n}[\/latex].<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Rather than analyzing this directly, we can break it down using what we know about simpler sequences. Since both [latex]{(\\frac{2}{3})^n}[\/latex] and [latex]{(\\frac{1}{4})^n}[\/latex] converge to 0, their sum should converge to [latex]0 + 0 = 0[\/latex].<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">This intuitive approach works because of algebraic limit laws for sequences, which parallel the limit laws you learned for functions.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\" aria-label=\"Key Takeaway\">\n<h3>algebraic limit laws for sequences<\/h3>\n<p id=\"fs-id1169736851216\">Given sequences [latex]\\{{a}_{n}\\}[\/latex] and [latex]\\{{b}_{n}\\}[\/latex] and any real number [latex]c[\/latex], if there exist constants [latex]A[\/latex] and [latex]B[\/latex] such that [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}=A[\/latex] and [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n}=B[\/latex], then:<\/p>\n<ol id=\"fs-id1169736859587\" type=\"i\">\n<li><strong>Constant:<\/strong> [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}c=c[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scalar multiplication:<\/strong> [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}c{a}_{n}=c\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}=cA[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li><strong>Addition\/Subtraction:<\/strong> [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}({a}_{n}\\pm {b}_{n})=\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}\\pm \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n}=A\\pm B[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li><strong>Multiplication<\/strong>: [latex]\\underset{\\text{n}\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}({a}_{n}\\cdot {b}_{n})=(\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n})\\cdot (\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n})=A\\cdot B[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li><strong>Division<\/strong>: [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}(\\frac{{a}_{n}}{{b}_{n}})=\\frac{\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}}{\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n}}=\\frac{A}{B}[\/latex], provided [latex]B\\ne 0[\/latex] and each [latex]{b}_{n}\\ne 0[\/latex].<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox connectIt\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Proof<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p id=\"fs-id1169736843622\">We prove part iii.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-id1169736843625\">Let [latex]>0[\/latex]. Since [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{a}_{n}=A[\/latex], there exists a constant positive integer [latex]{N}_{1}[\/latex] such that for all [latex]n\\ge {N}_{1}[\/latex]. Since [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{b}_{n}=B[\/latex], there exists a constant [latex]{N}_{2}[\/latex] such that [latex]|{b}_{n}-B|<\\frac{\\epsilon}{2}[\/latex] for all [latex]n\\ge {N}_{2}[\/latex]. Let [latex]N[\/latex] be the largest of [latex]{N}_{1}[\/latex] and [latex]{N}_{2}[\/latex]. Therefore, for all [latex]n\\ge N[\/latex],<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-id1169736852772\" style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]|\\left({a}_{n}+{b}_{n}\\right)\\text{-}\\left(A+B\\right)|\\le |{a}_{n}-A|+|{b}_{n}-B|<\\frac{\\epsilon }{2}+\\frac{\\epsilon }{2}=\\epsilon[\/latex].<\/p>\n<p>[latex]_\\blacksquare[\/latex]<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox proTip\" aria-label=\"Pro Tip\">\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">These laws let you break complex sequences into simpler pieces. Look for:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Terms you can factor out (use scalar multiplication)<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Sums or differences of familiar sequences<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Products of sequences you already understand<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">Just like with function limits, these tools make seemingly difficult problems much more manageable.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">The algebraic limit laws give us powerful tools for evaluating many sequence limits. Let&#8217;s start with a fundamental result that we&#8217;ll use repeatedly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Since we know [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{n} = 0[\/latex], we can extend this to any positive power:<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Key result:<\/strong> For any positive integer [latex]k[\/latex]: [latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{n^k} = 0[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">This simple fact, combined with our limit laws, allows us to handle many complex sequences. But first, let&#8217;s recall an important technique from precalculus that will help us with rational expressions.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox recall\" aria-label=\"Recall\">\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>End Behavior of Rational Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">For [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{P(x)}{Q(x)}[\/latex] where [latex]P(x)[\/latex] and [latex]Q(x)[\/latex] are polynomials:<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Case 1:<\/strong> If degree of [latex]P(x) <[\/latex] degree of [latex]Q(x)[\/latex]: [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}} \\frac{P(x)}{Q(x)} = 0[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Case 2:<\/strong> If degree of [latex]P(x) >[\/latex] degree of [latex]Q(x)[\/latex]: [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}} \\frac{P(x)}{Q(x)} = \\infty[\/latex] (or [latex]-\\infty[\/latex])<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Case 3:<\/strong> If degree of [latex]P(x) =[\/latex] degree of [latex]Q(x)[\/latex]: [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{P(x)}{Q(x)} = \\frac{\\text{leading coefficient of }P(x)}{\\text{leading coefficient of }Q(x)}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox example\" aria-label=\"Example\">\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739198467\" data-type=\"problem\">\n<p id=\"fs-id1169739198472\">For each of the following sequences, determine whether or not the sequence converges. If it converges, find its limit.<\/p>\n<ol id=\"fs-id1169739198476\" type=\"a\">\n<li>[latex]\\left\\{5-\\frac{3}{{n}^{2}}\\right\\}[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li>[latex]\\left\\{\\frac{3{n}^{4}-7{n}^{2}+5}{6 - 4{n}^{4}}\\right\\}[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li>[latex]\\left\\{\\frac{{2}^{n}}{{n}^{2}}\\right\\}[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li>[latex]\\left\\{{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{n}\\right)}^{n}\\right\\}[\/latex]<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q44558893\">Show Solution<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q44558893\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736685702\" data-type=\"solution\">\n<ol id=\"fs-id1169736685704\" type=\"a\">\n<li>We know that [latex]\\frac{1}{n}\\to 0[\/latex]. Using this fact, we conclude that<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736685730\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{2}}=\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(\\frac{1}{n}\\right).\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(\\frac{1}{n}\\right)=0[\/latex].<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nTherefore,<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736592512\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(5-\\frac{3}{{n}^{2}}\\right)=\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}5 - 3\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{2}}=5 - 3.0=5[\/latex].<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nThe sequence converges and its limit is [latex]5[\/latex].<\/li>\n<li>By factoring [latex]{n}^{4}[\/latex] out of the numerator and denominator and using the limit laws above, we have<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736852722\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\begin{array}{cc}\\hfill \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{3{n}^{4}-7{n}^{2}+5}{6 - 4{n}^{4}}& =\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{3-\\frac{7}{{n}^{2}}+\\frac{5}{{n}^{4}}}{\\frac{6}{{n}^{4}}-4}\\hfill \\\\ & =\\frac{\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(3-\\frac{7}{{n}^{2}}+\\frac{5}{{n}^{4}}\\right)}{\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(\\frac{6}{{n}^{4}}-4\\right)}\\hfill \\\\ & =\\frac{\\left(\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(3\\right)\\text{-}\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{7}{{n}^{2}}+\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{5}{{n}^{4}}\\right)}{\\left(\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{6}{{n}^{4}}-\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(4\\right)\\right)}\\hfill \\\\ & =\\frac{\\left(\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(3\\right)\\text{-}7\\cdot \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{2}}+5\\cdot \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{4}}\\right)}{\\left(6\\cdot \\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{1}{{n}^{4}}-\\underset{n\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left(4\\right)\\right)}\\hfill \\\\ & =\\frac{3 - 7\\cdot 0+5\\cdot 0}{6\\cdot 0 - 4}=-\\frac{3}{4}.\\hfill \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nThe sequence converges and its limit is [latex]\\frac{-3}{4}[\/latex].<\/li>\n<li>Consider the related function [latex]f\\left(x\\right)=\\frac{{2}^{x}}{{x}^{2}}[\/latex] defined on all real numbers [latex]x>0[\/latex]. Since [latex]{2}^{x}\\to \\infty[\/latex] and [latex]{x}^{2}\\to \\infty[\/latex] as [latex]x\\to \\infty[\/latex], apply L\u2019H\u00f4pital\u2019s rule and write<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736843724\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\begin{array}{ccccc}\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{{2}^{x}}{{x}^{2}}\\hfill & =\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{{2}^{x}\\text{ln}2}{2x}\\hfill & & & \\text{Take the derivatives of the numerator and denominator.}\\hfill \\\\ & =\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{{2}^{x}{\\left(\\text{ln}2\\right)}^{2}}{2}\\hfill & & & \\text{Take the derivatives again.}\\hfill \\\\ & =\\infty .\\hfill & & & \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nWe conclude that the sequence diverges.<\/li>\n<li>Consider the function [latex]f\\left(x\\right)={\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}[\/latex] defined on all real numbers [latex]x>0[\/latex]. This function has the indeterminate form [latex]{1}^{\\infty }[\/latex] as [latex]x\\to \\infty[\/latex]. Let<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739077453\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]y=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}[\/latex].<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nNow taking the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation, we obtain<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739041766\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\text{ln}\\left(y\\right)=\\text{ln}\\left[\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}\\right][\/latex].<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nSince the function [latex]f\\left(x\\right)=\\text{ln}x[\/latex] is continuous on its domain, we can interchange the limit and the natural logarithm. Therefore,<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739041850\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\text{ln}\\left(y\\right)=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left[\\text{ln}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}\\right][\/latex].<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nUsing properties of logarithms, we write<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169739027115\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\left[\\text{ln}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}\\right]=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}x\\text{ln}\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)[\/latex].<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nSince the right-hand side of this equation has the indeterminate form [latex]\\infty \\cdot 0[\/latex], rewrite it as a fraction to apply L\u2019H\u00f4pital\u2019s rule. Write<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736850558\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}x\\text{ln}\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{\\text{ln}\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}{\\frac{1}{x}}[\/latex].<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nSince the right-hand side is now in the indeterminate form [latex]\\frac{0}{0}[\/latex], we are able to apply L\u2019H\u00f4pital\u2019s rule. We conclude that<span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-id1169736741267\" class=\"unnumbered\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-type=\"equation\" data-label=\"\">[latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{\\text{ln}\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}{\\frac{1}{x}}=\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}\\frac{4}{1+\\frac{4}{x}}=4[\/latex].<\/div>\n<p><span data-type=\"newline\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\nTherefore, [latex]\\text{ln}\\left(y\\right)=4[\/latex] and [latex]y={e}^{4}[\/latex]. Therefore, since [latex]\\underset{x\\to \\infty }{\\text{lim}}{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{x}\\right)}^{x}={e}^{4}[\/latex], we can conclude that the sequence [latex]\\left\\{{\\left(1+\\frac{4}{n}\\right)}^{n}\\right\\}[\/latex] converges to [latex]{e}^{4}[\/latex].<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"menu_order":7,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":671,"module-header":"- Select Header -","content_attributions":[],"internal_book_links":[],"video_content":null,"cc_video_embed_content":{"cc_scripts":"","media_targets":[]},"try_it_collection":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/861"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/861\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2260,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/861\/revisions\/2260"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/671"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/861\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=861"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=861"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/calculus2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}