Decreasing Sequence
You buy a cell phone for $\$12{,}000$ and every year it is worth less than the year before. A hot piece of metal cools down minute by minute, and a ball bounces lower each time. In all three cases, each term is smaller than the previous one. Is it enough to look at a few values to be sure? No: here you are going to prove it with algebra.
Looking at the first terms
The first step is to calculate a few terms and see what happens. It is a good way to suspect something, but it is not yet a proof.
Given the following sequences defined by their general term, identify which ones are strictly decreasing by empirically calculating their first four terms:…
Given the following sequences defined by their general term, identify which ones are strictly decreasing by empirically calculating their first four terms: $a_n = 5 - 2n$, $b_n = n^2 - 4$, $c_n = \frac{1}{2^n}$, $d_n = (-1)^n \times n$.
The difference criterion
If $a_{n+1}-an<0$ for all $n$, every step goes downward. So, to prove that a sequence decreases, calculate the difference, simplify it, and study its sign.
Prove, by analysing the sign of the difference $a_{n+1} - a_n$, that the polynomial sequence with general term $a_n = -4n + 7$ is strictly decreasing for every natural…
Prove, by analysing the sign of the difference $a_{n+1} - a_n$, that the polynomial sequence with general term $a_n = -4n + 7$ is strictly decreasing for every natural number $n$.
A mountaineer descends a mountain at a constant rate. Their altitude in meters at the end of each hour $n$ of the journey is modeled by the sequence $h_n = 3500 - 150n$.…
A mountaineer descends a mountain at a constant rate. Their altitude in meters at the end of each hour $n$ of the journey is modeled by the sequence $h_n = 3500 - 150n$. Prove analytically that the sequence of altitudes $(h_n)$ is strictly decreasing.
Fractions and exponentials with the difference
When $a_n$ is a fraction, you have to subtract fractions: find the common denominator and look at the numerator. The denominators are usually positive, so the numerator decides the sign.
With exponentials, you factor out the power.
Check whether the rational sequence $b_n = \frac{3}{n+2}$ is decreasing. To do so, set up the expression $b_{n+1} - b_n$ and determine whether the result is less than or…
Check whether the rational sequence $b_n = \frac{3}{n+2}$ is decreasing. To do so, set up the expression $b_{n+1} - b_n$ and determine whether the result is less than or equal to zero for any $n \ge 1$.
Prove that the sequence with general term $a_n = \frac{2n+5}{3n+1}$ is strictly decreasing. To do so, set up the inequality $a_{n+1} < a_n$, perform algebraic operations…
Prove that the sequence with general term $a_n = \frac{2n+5}{3n+1}$ is strictly decreasing. To do so, set up the inequality $a_{n+1} < a_n$, perform algebraic operations and arrive at a statement that is true for all $n \ge 1$.
The temperature in degrees Celsius of a piece of metal cooling in a room at room temperature is given by the sequence $T_n = 20 + 80 \times (0,85)^n$, where $n$…
The temperature in degrees Celsius of a piece of metal cooling in a room at room temperature is given by the sequence $T_n = 20 + 80 \times (0,85)^n$, where $n$ represents the time elapsed in minutes. Prove that $(T_n)$ is a decreasing sequence and calculate algebraically the expression for the exact temperature drop that occurs between minute $n$ and minute $n+1$.
The ratio criterion
It is ideal for powers and factorials, because the ratio simplifies a lot.
This criterion explains depreciation models: if an asset loses a percentage $p$ of its value each year, the value gets multiplied by $1-\frac{p}{100}$, which is less than 1. For example, a cell phone that loses $20\%$ per year is worth $V_n = 12{,}000\cdot 0.8^n$ pesos and its ratio is $0.8<1$.
Use the ratio test $\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}$ to prove that the geometric sequence of positive terms $a_n = \left(\frac{3}{4}\right)^n$ is strictly decreasing.
Use the ratio test $\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}$ to prove that the geometric sequence of positive terms $a_n = \left(\frac{3}{4}\right)^n$ is strictly decreasing.
An industrial machine loses $12\%$ of its value each year relative to the immediately preceding year. If its initial purchase value is $900\,000$ pesos, find the…
An industrial machine loses $12\%$ of its value each year relative to the immediately preceding year. If its initial purchase value is $900\,000$ pesos, find the expression for the general term $V_n$ representing its value after $n$ years and prove mathematically that the sequence $(V_n)$ is decreasing.
A rubber ball is dropped from an initial height of $5$ meters. On each successive bounce, the ball reaches a height equal to $\frac{3}{4}$ of the maximum height of the…
A rubber ball is dropped from an initial height of $5$ meters. On each successive bounce, the ball reaches a height equal to $\frac{3}{4}$ of the maximum height of the previous bounce. Let $h_n$ be the maximum height reached after the $n$th bounce on the ground. Write the general term of the sequence and prove that it is strictly decreasing.
Decreasing from a certain term on
Some sequences do not decrease from the start: they rise for a while and then fall forever. You have to locate from which position the behavior changes: solve the inequality in $n$ and take the first natural number that satisfies it.
With factorials, the ratio simplifies because $(n+1)! = (n+1)\cdot n!$.
Calculate the first five terms of the quadratic sequence $c_n = -n^2 + 6n$. Is it a decreasing sequence from the first term? Determine from which value of $n$ onwards…
Calculate the first five terms of the quadratic sequence $c_n = -n^2 + 6n$. Is it a decreasing sequence from the first term? Determine from which value of $n$ onwards the sequence becomes strictly decreasing.
State whether the following statement is true or false and justify your answer with a numerical counterexample: "Every sequence whose terms are all negative is…
State whether the following statement is true or false and justify your answer with a numerical counterexample: "Every sequence whose terms are all negative is necessarily a decreasing sequence".
Consider the sequence combining a power and a factorial $b_n = \frac{5^n}{n!}$. Calculate its first six terms and observe its behavior. Using the ratio test, determine…
Consider the sequence combining a power and a factorial $b_n = \frac{5^n}{n!}$. Calculate its first six terms and observe its behavior. Using the ratio test, determine analytically from which exact value of $n$ the sequence becomes strictly decreasing.
Study the monotonicity of the sequence $d_n = \frac{(-1)^n}{n}$. Is it a decreasing sequence? Define a new sequence $e_n = |d_n|$ by taking the modulus of each term and…
Study the monotonicity of the sequence $d_n = \frac{(-1)^n}{n}$. Is it a decreasing sequence? Define a new sequence $e_n = |d_n|$ by taking the modulus of each term and prove step by step that $(e_n)$ is indeed a strictly decreasing sequence.
Recursive sequences
When the sequence is given recursively, $a_{n+1}$ is already expressed in terms of $a_n$, so the difference almost comes out by itself.
Sometimes the difference depends on $x_n$ and you have to use a known property of the terms.
And when the difference cannot be bounded directly, you use induction.
A sequence is defined recursively by the first term $a_1 = 15$ and the recurrence relation $a_{n+1} = a_n - \frac{1}{n}$. Justify mathematically why this sequence is…
A sequence is defined recursively by the first term $a_1 = 15$ and the recurrence relation $a_{n+1} = a_n - \frac{1}{n}$. Justify mathematically why this sequence is strictly decreasing for all $n \ge 1$.
In a chemical reactor, the concentration $C_n$ of a radioactive isotope after $n$ hours is given by the recurrence relation $C_1 = 100$ and…
In a chemical reactor, the concentration $C_n$ of a radioactive isotope after $n$ hours is given by the recurrence relation $C_1 = 100$ and $C_{n+1} = 0.5 \times C_n + 10$. Prove by mathematical induction that $C_{n+1} < C_n$ for all $n \ge 1$, concluding that the sequence of concentrations is strictly decreasing.
The Babylonian method for approximating the value of $\sqrt{3}$ generates a sequence defined by $x_1 = 2$ and the recurrence relation…
The Babylonian method for approximating the value of $\sqrt{3}$ generates a sequence defined by $x_1 = 2$ and the recurrence relation $x_{n+1} = \frac{1}{2} \left( x_n + \frac{3}{x_n} \right)$. Given that all terms of the sequence satisfy $x_n > \sqrt{3}$, prove analytically that $x_{n+1} < x_n$ for all $n \ge 1$, thus showing that the sequence of approximations is strictly decreasing.
Radicals and bounds
A subtraction of square roots is hard to analyze. The trick, already familiar from rationalizing, is to multiply by the conjugate.
Another useful tool is to split the fraction: $\dfrac{3^n+2}{3^n} = 1+\dfrac{2}{3^n}$. This makes it immediately clear that the terms are greater than 1 and that the addend $\frac{2}{3^n}$ decreases.
A decreasing sequence is always bounded above by its first term. What matters is whether it also has a lower bound.
Prove that the sequence constructed using radicals $c_n = \sqrt{n+2} - \sqrt{n}$ is strictly decreasing. Multiply and divide by the conjugate expression before analysing…
Prove that the sequence constructed using radicals $c_n = \sqrt{n+2} - \sqrt{n}$ is strictly decreasing. Multiply and divide by the conjugate expression before analysing whether $c_{n+1} < c_n$.
Consider the sequence defined by $a_n = \frac{3^n + 2}{3^n}$. Prove that it is bounded below by $1$ and that it is strictly decreasing. Finally, determine from which…
Consider the sequence defined by $a_n = \frac{3^n + 2}{3^n}$. Prove that it is bounded below by $1$ and that it is strictly decreasing. Finally, determine from which value of $n$ onwards the difference between two consecutive terms has a modulus less than $10^{-4}$.
Parameters and operations with sequences
If the sequence depends on a parameter, the procedure is the same: calculate the difference, require it to be negative for all $n\ge1$, and solve for the parameter. The key is the worst case: the condition must hold for every $n$, so it is imposed at the most demanding $n$.
Another common question is what happens when you operate with sequences. The sum of two decreasing sequences is decreasing, because $(u_{n+1}+v_{n+1})-(u_n+v_n) = (u_{n+1}-u_n)+(v_{n+1}-v_n)$ is a sum of two negatives. With the product you have to watch the sign of the terms: use the hypothesis $u_n,v_n>0$ and compare step by step, one factor at a time.
Given the polynomial sequence $a_n = -kn^2 + 8n - 3$, determine the set of values that the real parameter $k$ must take to ensure that the sequence is strictly…
Given the polynomial sequence $a_n = -kn^2 + 8n - 3$, determine the set of values that the real parameter $k$ must take to ensure that the sequence is strictly decreasing for all $n \ge 1$.
Find the rigorous mathematical condition that the real parameter $p$ must satisfy for the rational sequence $a_n = \frac{pn+4}{2n+3}$ to be strictly decreasing…
Find the rigorous mathematical condition that the real parameter $p$ must satisfy for the rational sequence $a_n = \frac{pn+4}{2n+3}$ to be strictly decreasing throughout its natural domain $n \ge 1$.
Let $(u_n)$ and $(v_n)$ be two sequences of strictly positive real numbers. Knowing that $(u_n)$ is strictly decreasing and $(v_n)$ is also strictly decreasing, prove…
Let $(u_n)$ and $(v_n)$ be two sequences of strictly positive real numbers. Knowing that $(u_n)$ is strictly decreasing and $(v_n)$ is also strictly decreasing, prove algebraically that the product sequence defined by $w_n = u_n \times v_n$ is, in turn, strictly decreasing.
Partial sums, logarithms, and factorials
If $S_n=a_1+\dots+a_n$ is the sum of the first terms, then $S_{n+1}-S_n=a_{n+1}$. Therefore: if all the $a_n$ are negative, $(S_n)$ is strictly decreasing. And if $E_n = c - S_n$ with $a_n>0$, then $E_{n+1}-En=-a_{n+1}<0$: $(E_n)$ decreases.
With logarithms, the sum simplifies because $\ln\frac{a}{b}=\ln a-\ln b$ and the intermediate terms cancel (telescoping sum).
With factorials and powers of $n$, the ratio simplifies as follows:
When the ratio contains an expression like $\left(1+\frac1n\right)^n$, remember that it is compared with $e$ using the inequality you are given.
Consider the sequence of partial sums $S_n = \sum_{i=1}^n \frac{1}{3^i}$. Let $E_n = \frac{1}{2} - S_n$ be the sequence measuring the distance between $S_n$ and the…
Consider the sequence of partial sums $S_n = \sum_{i=1}^n \frac{1}{3^i}$. Let $E_n = \frac{1}{2} - S_n$ be the sequence measuring the distance between $S_n$ and the theoretical limit of the infinite series. Prove that $(E_n)$ is a strictly decreasing sequence and express it in closed form in terms of $n$.
Study whether the logarithmic sequence $a_n = \ln\left(\frac{n+1}{n+2}\right)$ is increasing or decreasing. Then, prove that the sequence of partial sums…
Study whether the logarithmic sequence $a_n = \ln\left(\frac{n+1}{n+2}\right)$ is increasing or decreasing. Then, prove that the sequence of partial sums $S_n = a_1 + a_2 + \dots + a_n$ is strictly decreasing and find a simplified algebraic expression for $S_n$ by applying the properties of logarithms.
Consider the sequence defined by $a_n = \frac{n^n}{n! \times e^n}$. Given that the inequality $\left(1 + \frac{1}{n}\right)^n < e$ holds for any natural number $n$,…
Consider the sequence defined by $a_n = \frac{n^n}{n! \times e^n}$. Given that the inequality $\left(1 + \frac{1}{n}\right)^n < e$ holds for any natural number $n$, prove using the ratio test that $(a_n)$ is a strictly decreasing sequence.
Back to the beginning: the cell phone that loses $20\%$ of its value each year has $V_n=12{,}000\cdot 0.8^n$. Since $\frac{V_{n+1}}{V_n}=0.8<1$ and all the values are positive, the sequence is strictly decreasing: each year it is worth less than the year before.