Skip to main content
Ch. 10 - Sequences and Infinite Series
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 10, Problem 10.2.83b

Explain why or why not
Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.




b.If limₙ→∞aₙ = 0 and limₙ→∞bₙ = ∞, then limₙ→∞aₙbₙ = 0.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the given limits. We have two sequences \(a_n\) and \(b_n\) such that \(\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n = 0\) and \(\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n = \infty\). This means \(a_n\) approaches zero and \(b_n\) grows without bound as \(n\) becomes very large.
Step 2: Analyze the product \(a_n b_n\). The question asks if \(\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n b_n = 0\) necessarily holds. Since \(a_n\) tends to zero and \(b_n\) tends to infinity, the product is an indeterminate form of type \(0 \times \infty\). This means the limit could be zero, infinite, or some finite number depending on the rates at which \(a_n\) approaches zero and \(b_n\) grows.
Step 3: Consider a counterexample to test the statement. For instance, if \(a_n = \frac{1}{n}\) and \(b_n = n\), then \(a_n b_n = \frac{1}{n} \times n = 1\), which does not tend to zero but to 1. This shows the statement is not always true.
Step 4: Alternatively, if \(a_n = \frac{1}{n^2}\) and \(b_n = n\), then \(a_n b_n = \frac{1}{n^2} \times n = \frac{1}{n}\), which tends to zero. This shows the limit can be zero in some cases.
Step 5: Conclusion: Since the product limit depends on the relative rates of \(a_n\) and \(b_n\), the statement "If \(\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n = 0\) and \(\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n = \infty\), then \(\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n b_n = 0\)" is not necessarily true. It requires additional conditions to hold.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
3m
Was this helpful?

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 describes the value that the terms of the sequence approach as the index goes to infinity. Understanding how to evaluate limits of sequences is fundamental to analyzing their long-term behavior and determining convergence or divergence.
Recommended video:
Guided course
8:22
Introduction to Sequences

Indeterminate Forms

An indeterminate form arises when the limit of a product or quotient involves conflicting behaviors, such as one factor approaching zero and another approaching infinity. In such cases, the limit cannot be directly concluded and requires further analysis or counterexamples.
Recommended video:
6:20
Circles in General Form

Counterexamples in Limit Analysis

Counterexamples are specific cases that disprove a general statement. When evaluating limit statements, constructing or identifying sequences that violate the proposed limit helps demonstrate whether the statement is true or false.
Recommended video:
05:50
One-Sided Limits
Related Practice
Textbook Question

41–44. {Use of Tech} Remainders and estimates Consider the following convergent series.


b. Find how many terms are needed to ensure that the remainder is less than 10⁻³.


41. ∑ (k = 1 to ∞) 1 / k⁶

Textbook Question

Loglog p-series Consider the series ∑ (k = 2 to ∞) 1 / (k(ln k)(ln ln k)ᵖ), where p is a real number.

b. Which of the following series converges faster? Explain.

∑ (k = 2 to ∞) 1 / (k(ln k)²) or ∑ (k = 3 to ∞) 1 / (k(ln k)(ln ln k)²)?

Textbook Question

39–40. {Use of Tech} Lower and upper bounds of a series

For each convergent series and given value of n, use Theorem 10.13 to complete the following.


c. Find lower and upper bounds (Lₙ and Uₙ, respectively) for the exact value of the series.


39. ∑ (k = 1 to ∞) 1 / k⁷ ; n = 2

Textbook Question

39–40. {Use of Tech} Lower and upper bounds of a series

For each convergent series and given value of n, use Theorem 10.13 to complete the following.


b. Find an upper bound for the remainder Rₙ.


39. ∑ (k = 1 to ∞) 1 / k⁷ ; n = 2

Textbook Question

Explain why or why not Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.


c. Suppose f is a continuous, positive, decreasing function, for x ≥ 1, and aₖ = f(k), for k = 1, 2, 3, …. If ∑ (k = 1 to ∞) aₖ converges to L, then ∫ (1 to ∞) f(x) dx converges to L.

Textbook Question

57–60. Heights of bouncing balls A ball is thrown upward to a height of hₒ meters. After each bounce, the ball rebounds to a fraction r of its previous height. Let hₙ be the height after the nth bounce. Consider the following values of hₒ and r.


b. Find an explicit formula for the nth term of the sequence {hₙ}.


h₀ = 30,r = 0.25

1
views