Textbook Question
"21–26. Recurrence relations Write the first four terms of the sequence {aₙ} defined by the following recurrence relations.
aₙ₊₁ = 3aₙ-12; a₁ = 10
Ch. 10 - Sequences and Infinite Series
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Functions210
- Ch. 2 - Limits371
- Ch. 3 - Derivatives633
- Ch. 4 - Applications of the Derivative412
- Ch. 5 - Integration328
- Ch. 6 - Applications of Integration331
- Ch. 7 - Logarithmic, Exponential Functions, and Hyperbolic Functions177
- Ch. 8 - Integration Techniques394
- Ch. 9 - Differential Equations179
- Ch. 10 - Sequences and Infinite Series339
- Ch. 11 - Power Series218
- Ch.12 - Parametric and Polar Curves215
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 10, Problem 10.2.31
13–52. Limits of sequences
Find the limit of the following sequences or determine that the sequence diverges.
{(3ⁿ⁺¹ + 3)⁄3ⁿ}
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the given sequence: \(a_n = \frac{3^{n+1} + 3}{3^n}\).
Rewrite the expression to simplify it by separating the terms in the numerator: \(a_n = \frac{3^{n+1}}{3^n} + \frac{3}{3^n}\).
Simplify each term using the properties of exponents: \(\frac{3^{n+1}}{3^n} = 3^{(n+1)-n} = 3^1 = 3\) and \(\frac{3}{3^n} = 3 \cdot 3^{-n} = 3^{1-n}\).
Express the sequence as \(a_n = 3 + 3^{1-n}\) and analyze the behavior of \(3^{1-n}\) as \(n\) approaches infinity.
Since \(3^{1-n} = \frac{3}{3^n}\) and \$3^n$ grows without bound as \(n \to \infty\), \(3^{1-n} \to 0\). Therefore, the limit of the sequence is \(\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n = 3 + 0 = 3\).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Limits of Sequences
The limit of a sequence is the value that the terms of the sequence approach as the index goes to infinity. If the terms get arbitrarily close to a specific number, the sequence converges; otherwise, it diverges. Understanding this helps determine the behavior of sequences like (3ⁿ⁺¹ + 3)/3ⁿ as n grows large.
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Introduction to Sequences
Properties of Exponents
Exponents follow specific rules such as a^(m+n) = a^m * a^n and a^m / a^n = a^(m-n). Applying these properties simplifies expressions involving powers, which is essential for rewriting and analyzing sequences like (3ⁿ⁺¹ + 3)/3ⁿ to find their limits.
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Algebraic Simplification
Algebraic simplification involves rewriting expressions in simpler or more convenient forms. For sequences, this often means factoring or dividing terms to isolate dominant parts, making it easier to evaluate limits. Simplifying (3ⁿ⁺¹ + 3)/3ⁿ helps identify the dominant term as n approaches infinity.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
8–32. {Use of Tech} Estimating errors in partial sums For each of the following convergent alternating series, evaluate the nth partial sum for the given value of n. Then use Theorem 10.18 to find an upper bound for the error |S − Sₙ| in using the nth partial sum Sₙ to estimate the value of the series S.
∑ (k = 1 to ∞) (−1)ᵏ / k⁴; n = 4
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Textbook Question
55–70. More sequences
Find the limit of the following sequences or determine that the sequence diverges.
aₙ = (−1)ⁿ ⁿ√n
Textbook Question
11–86. Applying convergence tests Determine whether the following series converge. Justify your answers.
∑ (from k = 1 to ∞)(⁵√k) / ⁵√(k⁷ + 1)
Textbook Question
55–70. More sequences
Find the limit of the following sequences or determine that the sequence diverges.
{tan⁻¹n / n}
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Textbook Question
13–52. Limits of sequences
Find the limit of the following sequences or determine that the sequence diverges.
{(1 + (2 / n))ⁿ}
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