-4

Let $(A_n)$ be a sequence of positive real number such that $$ \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{A_{n+1}}{A_n}=r<1, $$ can we evaluate the $\lim\limits_{n\to\infty}A_n$?

egreg
  • 238,574

1 Answers1

4

Supposing$\displaystyle \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} = r < 1$, we can select an $m$ such that $r < m < 1$. The limit implies that there must exist an $s \in \mathbb{N}$ such that we have $\displaystyle \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} < m$ for all $n \geq s$. In particular, $a_{s+1} < ma_s$.

Taking this a step further and applying the above, we also have $a_{s+2} < m a_{s+1} < m^2a_s$. In general, $a_{s+k} < m^ka_s$.

What does this tell us about $a_n$ as $n \rightarrow \infty$?


Note: This is essentially the beginning of the proof of the ratio test for the convergence of $\displaystyle \sum a_n$, where $a_n$ is a sequence as above.

Kaj Hansen
  • 33,011
  • yes n tens to infinit,,,,nd what about limit An? – Manzil Pradhan Jul 14 '16 at 17:27
  • You have twice been given information about the relationship of what you are given to convergence of the series (i.e. sum) and asked "what does that tell you about the limit of the sequence- and you have twice responded "yes, n tends to infinity". Yes, everyone knew that from the start! The question is "if $\sum A_n$ converges, what must be true of the sequence $A_n$?" – user247327 Jul 15 '16 at 15:27