Math Problem Statement

c_(n+1)=(1-1/n)c_n + b_n, lim(b_nn^2)=0. Find limit of c_n

Solution

We are tasked to find the limit of the sequence cnc_n given the recurrence relation:

cn+1=(11n)cn+bn,c_{n+1} = \left(1 - \frac{1}{n}\right)c_n + b_n, where limnbnn2=0\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n n^2 = 0.


Step 1: Observations

  1. The factor (11n)\left(1 - \frac{1}{n}\right) in the recurrence relation suggests that the sequence cnc_n may be governed by a weighted sum of its past values, modified slightly by bnb_n.
  2. The condition limnbnn2=0\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n n^2 = 0 implies that bnb_n approaches 0 faster than 1n2\frac{1}{n^2} as nn \to \infty.

Step 2: Rewrite the Recurrence Relation

Define cn=dn+c~nc_n = d_n + \tilde{c}_n, where dnd_n solves the homogeneous part:

dn+1=(11n)dn.d_{n+1} = \left(1 - \frac{1}{n}\right)d_n.

The solution to the homogeneous equation can be written as:

dn=c1k=1n1(11k).d_n = c_1 \prod_{k=1}^{n-1} \left(1 - \frac{1}{k}\right).

Using the property k=1n1(11k)=1n\prod_{k=1}^{n-1} \left(1 - \frac{1}{k}\right) = \frac{1}{n}, we get:

dn=c1n.d_n = \frac{c_1}{n}.

Thus, dn0d_n \to 0 as nn \to \infty.


Step 3: Particular Solution and Total Sequence

Now consider the particular solution c~n\tilde{c}_n due to bnb_n. Assume that as nn \to \infty, c~nL\tilde{c}_n \to L, a constant. Substituting into the recurrence relation:

L=(11n)L+bn.L = \left(1 - \frac{1}{n}\right)L + b_n.

For large nn, this simplifies to bn0b_n \to 0 due to limnbnn2=0\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n n^2 = 0. Hence, the total solution cnc_n asymptotically approaches 0.


Final Answer

limncn=0.\lim_{n \to \infty} c_n = 0.

Would you like a more detailed explanation or derivation of any specific step?


Relative Questions

  1. What happens if limnbnn20\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n n^2 \neq 0?
  2. How does the solution change if bn=1n3b_n = \frac{1}{n^3}?
  3. Can this method be applied to more general recurrence relations of this form?
  4. How is the homogeneous solution dnd_n related to the series sum?
  5. What are the conditions on bnb_n for cnc_n to converge?

Tip:

Always analyze the growth rate of terms in recurrence relations to identify dominant behavior over large nn.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Sequences
Limits
Recurrence Relations

Formulas

c_(n+1) = (1 - 1/n) * c_n + b_n
lim(b_n * n^2) = 0
Product formula for (1 - 1/n): Π(1 - 1/k) = 1/n

Theorems

Limit Theorem for Sequences
Asymptotic Behavior of Recurrence Relations

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Mathematics