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Secondary 6 · Mathematics
Limits and continuity · Limits

Sequences; limit of a sequence

A social media post gets "likes" every hour: does the number level off or keep growing without bound? Answering that means computing the limit of a sequence. Here you will learn to compute it in the usual cases, to compare infinities of different "speeds" and, at the end, to prove rigorously that a limit equals what you claim.

Limit of a sequence: the idea

The limit of $a_n$ is the value the terms get close to as $n$ grows without bound. If they get close to a number $L$, the sequence converges and we write $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty} a_n=L$. If they grow without bound (or decrease without bound), it diverges.

Example: $a_n=\dfrac{3}{n}$ gives $3,\ \dfrac32,\ 1,\ \dfrac34,\dots$ and gets close to $0$.

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Given the sequence whose general term is $a_n = \frac{1}{n^2}$, with $n = 1, 2, 3, \dots$ a) Write the first four terms of the sequence. b) Reason intuitively what the…

Given the sequence whose general term is $a_n = \frac{1}{n^2}$, with $n = 1, 2, 3, \dots$

  1. a) Write the first four terms of the sequence.
  1. b) Reason intuitively what the value of its limit is as $n$ tends to infinity:
$$\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n$$
Solve
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It is estimated that the value of a laptop computer after $n$ years is given by the sequence $v_n = 1200 \times (0,8)^n$. Calculate the limit of this sequence and…

It is estimated that the value of a laptop computer after $n$ years is given by the sequence $v_n = 1200 \times (0,8)^n$. Calculate the limit of this sequence and interpret what the result means in the context of the device's depreciation.

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} 1200 \times (0,8)^n$$
Solve

Quotients of polynomials and radicals

For a quotient of polynomials in $n$, only the highest-degree term of each one matters.

With roots, a $\sqrt{25n^2+3}$ behaves like $\sqrt{25n^2}=5n$, of degree 1.

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Calculate the limit of the following rational sequence by comparing the degrees of the numerator and the denominator: $$a_n = \frac{5n^2 - 3n + 1}{2n^2 + 7}$$

Calculate the limit of the following rational sequence by comparing the degrees of the numerator and the denominator:

$$a_n = \frac{5n^2 - 3n + 1}{2n^2 + 7}$$
Solve
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Determine the value of the limit of the sequence $b_n$ as $n$ grows indefinitely: $$b_n = \frac{100n + 50}{n^2 - 1}$$

Determine the value of the limit of the sequence $b_n$ as $n$ grows indefinitely:

$$b_n = \frac{100n + 50}{n^2 - 1}$$
Solve
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On a social network, the number of "likes" on a post during the first few hours follows the sequence $c_n = \frac{4n^2}{n+2}$, where $n$ is the number of hours since…

On a social network, the number of "likes" on a post during the first few hours follows the sequence $c_n = \frac{4n^2}{n+2}$, where $n$ is the number of hours since publication. What happens to the number of "likes" in the very long term? Calculate:

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{4n^2}{n+2}$$
Solve
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Calculate the limit of the following sequence involving a square root, by analyzing the highest-degree term: $$d_n = \frac{\sqrt{9n^2 + n}}{2n - 3}$$ The graph shows…

Calculate the limit of the following sequence involving a square root, by analyzing the highest-degree term:

$$d_n = \frac{\sqrt{9n^2 + n}}{2n - 3}$$

The graph shows some of its first terms (starting from $n=3$).

Graph of the first terms of the sequence d_n, which decreases as n increases n dₙ 0 1 2 3 4 5 10 15 20 n → ∞
Solve
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Calculate the limit of the following sequence by analysing the degrees of the polynomials and justifying the result by comparing the leading terms:…

Calculate the limit of the following sequence by analysing the degrees of the polynomials and justifying the result by comparing the leading terms:

$a_n = \frac{(3n - 1)^2 \times (n + 2)}{(2n + 3)^3 - 5n}$

Solve

Difference of infinities: $\infty-\infty$

When you subtract two expressions that both tend to infinity, the result is not obvious. With roots, multiply and divide by the conjugate. With fractions, find a common denominator.

First eight terms of the sequence square root of n²+6n minus n, which approach the value 3 from below. y = 3 n = 1, 2, …, 8
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Solve the limit of the sequence $a_n = \sqrt{4n^2 + 3n - 1} - 2n$. To visualize its behavior, the figure shows the first eight terms $a_1, a_2, \dots, a_8$. Observe…

Solve the limit of the sequence $a_n = \sqrt{4n^2 + 3n - 1} - 2n$.

To visualize its behavior, the figure shows the first eight terms $a_1, a_2, \dots, a_8$. Observe which value they seem to approach and then justify the result by calculating the limit (for example, by multiplying and dividing by the conjugate).

Plot of the first eight terms of the sequence a_n, which grow slowly with n 0 0.5 1.0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 n aₙ
Solve
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Calculate the limit of the following sequence, which involves a subtraction of fractions with different denominators:…

Calculate the limit of the following sequence, which involves a subtraction of fractions with different denominators:

$a_n = \frac{2n^2 + 1}{n - 1} - \frac{2n^3 + 5}{n^2 + 2}$

State whether the sequence is divergent or convergent after resolving the indeterminate form $\infty - \infty$.

Solve

The hierarchy of infinities

Not all sequences that tend to $+\infty$ do so at the same speed.

Graphical comparison of growth speed: natural logarithm, power, exponential and factorial. ln n n² 2ⁿ n!
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Using the comparison of orders of infinity (exponential vs polynomial), find the limit of the sequence: $$e_n = \frac{3^n}{n^{10} + 500}$$

Using the comparison of orders of infinity (exponential vs polynomial), find the limit of the sequence:

$$e_n = \frac{3^n}{n^{10} + 500}$$
Solve
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Given the following sequences, use the hierarchy of infinities to determine, without performing extensive algebraic operations, the value of their limit as…

Given the following sequences, use the hierarchy of infinities to determine, without performing extensive algebraic operations, the value of their limit as $n \to \infty$:

  1. a) $b_n = \frac{n^5 + 10^6}{\ln(n^2 + 1) + 0.5^n}$
  1. b) $c_n = \frac{\sqrt{n^3 + 4n}}{2n + \sqrt[3]{n^5}}$
  1. c) $d_n = \frac{1.02^n}{n^{1000} + 5n}$
Solve
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In a biotechnology laboratory, the number of bacteria of a strain (in millions) after $n$ hours is modelled by the sequence:…

In a biotechnology laboratory, the number of bacteria of a strain (in millions) after $n$ hours is modelled by the sequence:

$P_n = \frac{12n^2 + \text{sen}(n)}{3n^2 + 500}$

Determine the bacterial population as time tends to infinity. Explain what happens to the term $\text{sen}(n)$ in the limit calculation.

Solve
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In the study of computer algorithms, it is essential to know the rate at which certain functions grow. Calculate the limit of the following sequence by comparing the…

In the study of computer algorithms, it is essential to know the rate at which certain functions grow. Calculate the limit of the following sequence by comparing the orders of infinity of the different terms (factorials, exponentials and powers):

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{n! + 10^n}{n^n - 5^n}$$

Give a reasoned explanation of which term dominates in the numerator and which in the denominator to justify your result.

Solve

The number $e$ and the $1^\infty$ indeterminate form

If the base tends to $1$ and the exponent to infinity, the result depends on who wins the "race." The key case defines the number $e$:

$$\lim_{n\to\infty}\left(1+\frac1n\right)^n=e\approx 2.718$$
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The figure shows, for $n=1,2,\dots,10$, the terms of two sequences: the blue points correspond to $a_n=\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)^{n}$ and the green points to $$xn =…

The figure shows, for $n=1,2,\dots,10$, the terms of two sequences: the blue points correspond to $a_n=\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)^{n}$ and the green points to

$$x_n = \left(1 + \frac{1}{n}\right)^{2n}$$ First ten terms of the sequences (1+1/n)^n in blue and (1+1/n)^(2n) in green 1 2 3 5 10 n 2 4 6 8 y Blue points: (1 + 1/n)n Green points: (1 + 1/n)2n
  1. a) Identify which of the two sequences in the figure (blue or green) corresponds to the definition of the number $e$ and write its limit.
  1. b) Calculate $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty} x_n$ (the green points), reasoning from the definition of $e$, and check that the result is consistent with the trend observed in the figure.
Solve
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An investor analyses the growth of a cryptocurrency whose daily evolution follows an exponential sequence rule. The relative value after $n$ days is given by:…

An investor analyses the growth of a cryptocurrency whose daily evolution follows an exponential sequence rule. The relative value after $n$ days is given by:

$V_n = \left( \frac{5n^2 + 3n}{5n^2 - 2} \right)^{n+1}$

Calculate the value to which the currency tends in the long term using the relation with the number $e$.

Solve
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Calculate the value of the following limit of a sequence which yields an indeterminate form of the type $1^\infty$, paying special attention to the algebraic…

Calculate the value of the following limit of a sequence which yields an indeterminate form of the type $1^\infty$, paying special attention to the algebraic manipulation of the base and the exponent:

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \left( \frac{2n^2 + 5n - 1}{2n^2 - 3n + 2} \right)^{\frac{n^2 + 1}{2n - 3}}$$
Solve

Finding parameters from a limit

Sometimes the limit is already given and what is missing is a parameter. The idea: impose the condition that makes the limit have that value and solve.

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Find the values of the real parameters $k$ and $t$ such that the following equality holds: $\lim_{n \to \infty} \left( \frac{kn + 5}{3n - 1} \right)^n = e^t$ Given that…

Find the values of the real parameters $k$ and $t$ such that the following equality holds:

$\lim_{n \to \infty} \left( \frac{kn + 5}{3n - 1} \right)^n = e^t$

Given that the limit of the base is $1$ and the final result is $e^2$.

Solve
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Find the values of the real parameters $a$ and $b$ such that the following equality between the limit of the sequence and the given value holds: $$\lim_{n \to \infty}…

Find the values of the real parameters $a$ and $b$ such that the following equality between the limit of the sequence and the given value holds:

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \left( \frac{n^2 + 5n + 1}{n - 2} - an - b \right) = 0$$
Solve

Roots of different index

There is no direct conjugate between $\sqrt[3]{\ }$ and $\sqrt{\ }$. The trick is to add and subtract an intermediate term.

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Determine the limit of the following sequence, which involves a difference of roots of different order (cube root and square root). To solve it, you will need to…

Determine the limit of the following sequence, which involves a difference of roots of different order (cube root and square root). To solve it, you will need to factorise a common term or use the technique of adding and subtracting an intermediate term to split the expression into two manageable limits:

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \left( \sqrt[3]{n^3 + 3n^2} - \sqrt{n^2 - 4n} \right)$$
Solve

The squeeze theorem

If a sequence is trapped between two others that have the same limit, it shares that limit.

Intermediate sequence trapped between an upper bound and a lower bound that converge to the same limit L. L upper bound c lower bound b the intermediate sequence a is trapped between the other two

The squeeze theorem also works when a term that oscillates appears, like $\cos(n)$, which has no limit but is always between $-1$ and $1$.

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Use the Sandwich Theorem (or Squeeze Theorem) to find the value of the limit of the sequence $a_n$ defined by the following sum of fractions: $$an = \frac{n}{n^2+1} +…

Use the Sandwich Theorem (or Squeeze Theorem) to find the value of the limit of the sequence $a_n$ defined by the following sum of fractions:

$$a_n = \frac{n}{n^2+1} + \frac{n}{n^2+2} + \frac{n}{n^2+3} + \dots + \frac{n}{n^2+n}$$ L n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 bₙ cₙ aₙ
Solve

Recursive sequences

In a recursive sequence, each term is computed from the previous one: $a_{n+1}=f(a_n)$.

Look at the first terms of this recursive sequence and check that they get close to $4$:

$n$ 1 2 3 4
$a_n$ $1$ $3.6056$ $3.9504$ $3.9938$
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Study the behavior of the recurrence sequence defined by: $a_1 = 2$ $a_{n+1} = \frac{1}{2} \left( a_n + \frac{2}{a_n} \right)$ If we assume that the sequence is…

Study the behavior of the recurrence sequence defined by:

$a_1 = 2$

$a_{n+1} = \frac{1}{2} \left( a_n + \frac{2}{a_n} \right)$

If we assume that the sequence is convergent and that its limit is $L$ ($L > 0$), calculate this value by solving the equation $L = \frac{1}{2} \left( L + \frac{2}{L} \right)$. Which famous irrational constant does this result correspond to?

Solve
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A sequence is defined recursively by the formula: $$a_1 = \sqrt{6}$$ $$a_{n+1} = \sqrt{6 + a_n}$$ Assuming that the sequence is convergent (you can visualize its…

A sequence is defined recursively by the formula:

$$a_1 = \sqrt{6}$$ $$a_{n+1} = \sqrt{6 + a_n}$$

Assuming that the sequence is convergent (you can visualize its behavior in the diagram below), calculate the exact value of its limit $L = \lim_{n \to \infty} a_n$.

1 2 4 1 2 3 4 0 an an+1 y = x y = √(x + 6) a1 a2 L=? L = ?
Solve
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A surveillance drone is programmed to make a series of jumps in a straight line. In the first second it travels $d$ meters. In each subsequent second, it travels a…

A surveillance drone is programmed to make a series of jumps in a straight line. In the first second it travels $d$ meters. In each subsequent second, it travels a distance that is half the distance traveled in the previous second plus one extra meter to compensate for the wind. If $x_n$ is the total cumulative distance after $n$ seconds:

  1. a) Find the expression for the general term of the distance traveled in each second $a_n$.
  2. b) Determine the distance the drone will travel in a given second as $n$ tends to infinity (that is, $\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n$).
Solve

Proving a limit with $\varepsilon$ and $N$

$\displaystyle\lim a_n=L$ means: for every $\varepsilon>0$ there exists a natural number $N$ such that, for every $n>N$, $|an-L|<\varepsilon$.

Terms of a sequence relative to a band of radius epsilon around L: from N on they stay inside. L+ε L−ε n = N
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Given the sequence $a_n = \frac{3n + 2}{n + 1}$, prove using the formal definition of a limit ($\varepsilon$ and $N$) that its limit is $L = 3$. To do so, for a given…

Given the sequence $a_n = \frac{3n + 2}{n + 1}$, prove using the formal definition of a limit ($\varepsilon$ and $N$) that its limit is $L = 3$.

To do so, for a given value of $\varepsilon = 0.001$, determine from which term $N$ of the sequence it holds that $|a_n - L| < \varepsilon$.

Solve

Back to the beginning: if the "likes" follow a model with a higher degree in the numerator, they grow without bound; if the higher degree is in the denominator, they fade toward $0$; and if the degrees coincide, they level off at the quotient of the leading coefficients.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section