Lecture

Limit of a Sequence

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Description

This lecture covers the concept of the limit of a sequence, defining convergence towards a real number. It explains the notation and terminology used when a sequence converges or diverges, emphasizing the conditions for convergence. The lecture also delves into examples demonstrating how to determine the limit of a sequence and the importance of understanding the interval in which the sequence values lie. Various equivalent notations are presented, along with demonstrations to solidify the understanding of sequence limits.

In MOOCs (2)

Analysis I (part 3) : Real number sequences I and II

A sequence of real numbers is a function f:N→R . It is usual to write an:=f(n) for the value of f in n. For example, we could define a sequence f(n):=an:=12n, i.e. a0=1,a1=12,a2=14,a3=18,.... . The central concept is that of the limit of a sequence: this is a real number to which, intuitively, the given sequence gets closer and closer. For example, the sequence an given above admits the number zero as its limit. We'll define the concept of limit in a rigorous way and develop methods for establishing the exi

Analysis I

This course covers : Part 1: Prelude, basic concepts, real numbers. Part 2: Introduction to complex numbers. Part 3: Real number sequences I and II. Part 4: Limit of a function, continuous functions. Part 5: Continuous functions and derivable functions, the derivative function. Part 6: Studies of functions, limited developments. Part 7: Indefinite and definite integrals, integration (selected chapters).

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Ontological neighbourhood

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Topology: General topology

Related concepts (31)

Limit (mathematics)

In mathematics, a limit is the value that a function (or sequence) approaches as the input (or index) approaches some value. Limits are essential to calculus and mathematical analysis, and are used to define continuity, derivatives, and integrals. The concept of a limit of a sequence is further generalized to the concept of a limit of a topological net, and is closely related to and direct limit in . In formulas, a limit of a function is usually written as (although a few authors use "Lt" instead of "lim") and is read as "the limit of f of x as x approaches c equals L".

Limit inferior and limit superior

In mathematics, the limit inferior and limit superior of a sequence can be thought of as limiting (that is, eventual and extreme) bounds on the sequence. They can be thought of in a similar fashion for a function (see limit of a function). For a set, they are the infimum and supremum of the set's limit points, respectively. In general, when there are multiple objects around which a sequence, function, or set accumulates, the inferior and superior limits extract the smallest and largest of them; the type of object and the measure of size is context-dependent, but the notion of extreme limits is invariant.

Limit of a sequence

As the positive integer becomes larger and larger, the value becomes arbitrarily close to . We say that "the limit of the sequence equals ." In mathematics, the limit of a sequence is the value that the terms of a sequence "tend to", and is often denoted using the symbol (e.g., ). If such a limit exists, the sequence is called convergent. A sequence that does not converge is said to be divergent. The limit of a sequence is said to be the fundamental notion on which the whole of mathematical analysis ultimately rests.

Limit of a function

Although the function \tfrac{\sin x}{x} is not defined at zero, as x becomes closer and closer to zero, \tfrac{\sin x}{x} becomes arbitrarily close to 1. In other words, the limit of \tfrac{\sin x}{x}, as x approaches zero, equals 1. In mathematics, the limit of a function is a fundamental concept in calculus and analysis concerning the behavior of that function near a particular input. Formal definitions, first devised in the early 19th century, are given below. Informally, a function f assigns an output f(x) to every input x.

One-sided limit

In calculus, a one-sided limit refers to either one of the two limits of a function of a real variable as approaches a specified point either from the left or from the right. The limit as decreases in value approaching ( approaches "from the right" or "from above") can be denoted: The limit as increases in value approaching ( approaches "from the left" or "from below") can be denoted: If the limit of as approaches exists then the limits from the left and from the right both exist and are equal.

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