Appetizers and Lessons for Mathematics and Reason   
www.whyslopes.com             ( Français
 Logic mastery is key to easing or avoiding learning difficulties in work & studies. 

Online Volumes (Book Orders)
1,  Elements of Reason. 1996
1A. Pattern Based Reason  1995
1B. Math Curriculum Notes 1996
2. Three Skills for Algebra  1995
3.
_Why_Slopes_&_More_Math_1995

External Links:  Tutoring Services

Parents: Help your child or teen learn

Site  Folders
1. Arithmetic Videos  11-2008
2.  Algebra Videos (to appear)
3. Solving Linear Equations  04-2005
4.-Fractions-Rates-Proportns-Units-2006
5.  Algebra, Odds & Ends, HS level-2001
6.-Euclidean-Geometry/Complex No.s 
7.  Analytic Geometry/Functions 2006
8.  Number Theory. 2006-7
9.  Complex Numbers More 2001. 
10  Exponents & Radicals Exactly 2008
11. Calculus  2005

12.Real  Analysis 1995
13. Electric Circuits Etc  2007
Mathematics How TOs & site 
content guides  08- 2008
1. Arithmetic
2. Algebra 
3. More Algebra 
4. Geometry  
5. More Geometry
6. Calculus
D. Monotone Sequences  Back ] Up ] Next ]


Limits of Monotonic Sequences

Vocabulary.   A sequence qk with the property qk ³ qk+1 for every whole number k, is said to be a decreasing sequence. A sequence qk with the property qk £ qk+1 for every whole number k, is said to be an increasing sequence. A sequence qk is said to be monotonic if it is an increasing sequence or a decreasing sequence.

Theorem D.2. [On Decreasing Sequences]

If
the infinite sequence q1,q2,q3¼ has the property that for each whole numbers k, qk ³ qk+1 ³ Q for some real number Q, a lower bound, then the sequence converges to a limit A ³ Q. The limit A is the greatest lower bound of the set of points in the sequence.

 

Proof:

First, by mathematical induction, n < j implies qn ³ qj.

Second, if there exist a whole number K > 0 such that k ³ K implies qk = qK then the limit is given by A = qK and the sequence takes on at most K distinct values q1,¼,qK. Otherwise for every K > 0, there is a k > K such that qk ¹ qK. In this case, the range of values assumed by the sequence is an infinite set. The case where the range of values is an infinite set is considered next.

An small assertion: observe A > qm for some m implies that A > qm ³ qn for all n ³ m. This in turn implies A is not a limit point. The interval of length qm-A centered at A contains at most m elements of the sequence. That A > qm for some m implies that A is not a limit point of the sequence qj ³ qj+1.

According to the Weierstrass theorem, the infinite set formed by the sequence qj has a limit point A. The contrapositive of the above assertion now implies that the limit point A £ qp for all whole numbers p. But now for each whole number k, the interval A+[1/2]10-k to A (with A included) contains infinitely many elements of the sequence. Therefore there is some sequence element qn with the property that A+[1/2]10-k ³ qn ³ A. Therefore p ³ n implies A+[1/2]10-k ³ qn ³ qp ³ A since qp ³ A and qn ³ qp whenever p > n. Finally, since k is arbitrary, we conclude include the sequence qn converges to a limit A. Moreover, we can say there are no points in the sequence qn to the left of A.


The proof of the following theorem is similar.

Theorem D.3 [On Increasing Sequences]

 If the infinite sequence q1,q2,q3¼ has the property that for each whole numbers k, qk £ qk+1 £ Q for some real number Q, an upper bound, then the sequence converges to a limit B £ Q. The limit B is the least upper bound of the set of points in the sequence.

 

the Real Analysis appendices of
Why Slopes
and
More Math

understanding & explaining
Reason and Math
Volume 3
Printed in Canada
ISBN 0-9697564-3-7

Presenting Appendices from  Volume 3, Why Slopes and More Math,  If the  epsilon-delta viewpoint of limits, continuity and convergence is not yet comfortable, see  Chapters 14 to 19 in Volume 3 are related.  

A. What's Next
B. Pigeon Hole Principle
B. Bolzano-Weierstrass
C1. Triangle Inequality
C2. Triangle Inequality
C. More T.Inequality
D. Sets & Sequences
D. Monotone Sequences
E. Limits,  Properties
E Limits & Error Control
F. Continuous Functions
F. Closed Range Thm
F. Intermediate Val. Thm
F. Compactness Thm
F. Equicontinuity Thm
F Extreme Value Thm
G. Rolle's Theorem etc
G. Mean Val. Thm.
G. Constant Difference Thm
G. Lipschitz Continuity I
PS: One Sided Range Theorems
G. Velocity Revisited
G. Sufficient Conditions
H. Riemann Sums Conv
H. Lipschitz Continuity II

Proofs of  one-sided theorems could be of interest in the study of 2D topology.


If  you like these appendices to Volume 3,  you may also like (a)  the foreword of Volume 3 and chapter 14 with its decimal view of limits, (b) Volume 2,  Three Skills for Algebra (for its 4 skills, not 3, for algebra), (c)  this treatment of  Exponents & Radicals Exactly,  (d) this geometric treatment of  complex numbers,  (e) the  Euclidean Geometry with a geometric proof of the distributive law for complex numbers,   (f) Pattern Based Reason  - its  logic elements and  online postscripts for 

Vol 1A Logic Postscripts
online only include

Proof by Absurdity alias proof by contradiction

How the demand for consistency supports the law of the excluded middle

Reality versus or with the aid of Imagination

 


www.whyslopes.com   Back ] Up ] Next ] [Top of this Page]   

Road Safety Message  Do not walk on a road with your back to the traffic - rule of thumb
Please report by
email,  errors in mathematics or grammar or terminology to site author
 

All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners.
Copyright to comments & contributions are owned by the Poster. 
The Rest © 1995 onward by site author,   Alan Selby (
email form) All Rights Reserved.