Math Problem Statement

Fix a number 0 < x < 1 and consider the sequence of real numbers given by s_n = x^{1/n}. Prove the sequence converges and find its limit.

Solution

We are given the sequence sn=x1/ns_n = x^{1/n}, where 0<x<10 < x < 1, and the task is to prove that this sequence converges and find its limit. We're also instructed to use the Monotone Convergence Theorem and consider the subsequence s2ns_{2n}.

Step 1: Intuition about the limit

The sequence is sn=x1/ns_n = x^{1/n}, where xx is a number between 0 and 1. As nn \to \infty, the exponent 1n0\frac{1}{n} \to 0, which implies:

sn=x1/nx0=1asn.s_n = x^{1/n} \to x^0 = 1 \quad \text{as} \quad n \to \infty.

Thus, intuitively, the sequence sns_n seems to converge to 1.

Step 2: Monotonicity of the sequence

Let's analyze whether the sequence is monotonic. To do this, we can check if the sequence is decreasing or increasing by comparing sns_n and sn+1s_{n+1}.

sn+1=x1/(n+1).s_{n+1} = x^{1/(n+1)}.

Now, we want to check if sn+1sns_{n+1} \leq s_n, i.e., if x1/(n+1)x1/nx^{1/(n+1)} \leq x^{1/n}. This is equivalent to:

(x1/n)n(x1/(n+1))n+1.\left( x^{1/n} \right)^n \leq \left( x^{1/(n+1)} \right)^{n+1}.

Since 0<x<10 < x < 1, the function x1/nx^{1/n} is increasing as nn \to \infty, which implies that the sequence is increasing and bounded above by 1. By the Monotone Convergence Theorem, the sequence converges.

Step 3: Subsequence analysis

The hint also suggests considering the subsequence s2n=x1/(2n)s_{2n} = x^{1/(2n)}. Similar to the main sequence, as nn \to \infty, 12n0\frac{1}{2n} \to 0, so s2nx0=1s_{2n} \to x^0 = 1.

Step 4: Conclusion

The sequence sn=x1/ns_n = x^{1/n} is increasing and bounded above by 1, which means it converges by the Monotone Convergence Theorem. Therefore, the limit of the sequence is:

limnsn=1.\lim_{n \to \infty} s_n = 1.

Would you like more details on any part of the solution?


Here are 5 follow-up questions to explore further:

  1. How does the Monotone Convergence Theorem guarantee convergence in sequences?
  2. What happens to the sequence if x>1x > 1 instead of 0<x<10 < x < 1?
  3. How would the behavior of the sequence change if x=1x = 1?
  4. Could you extend this analysis to more complex sequences, like x1/nkx^{1/n^k} for some integer kk?
  5. How could we apply similar reasoning to sequences involving logarithms or trigonometric functions?

Tip: Monotonicity is a powerful property that simplifies proving convergence when you can establish a sequence is bounded and either increasing or decreasing.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Sequences and Series
Exponential Functions
Monotonic Sequences

Formulas

s_n = x^{1/n}

Theorems

Monotone Convergence Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Calculus or Real Analysis