MA 109 (Tutorial Sheet 1)
Sayan Dutta
Department of Mathematics
IIT Bombay
Contact: sayan.math30@[Link]
November 25, 2020
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
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Problem 2 (iv)
Show that the limit lim (n)1/n exists and find the limit.
n→∞
Remark
A sequence {xn } in R is a function f : N → R with f (n) = xn .
A sequence {xn } is said to converge to a point c if for every > 0,
there exists n0 ∈ N such that
|xn − c| < , ∀ n ≥ n0
It is always easy to check whether a given limit exists or not, by
just using the definition of limits?
No. Sometimes, we need to use some extra tools like the sandwich
theorem. (Same reason why you had to remember so many
integration formulae in your JEE days.)
We will take the help of the binomial theorem for solving this
particular problem. (How do I know this? Well, the same way you
can solve probably any integral just by looking at it - practice and
observation.)
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
109 (Tutorial Sheet 1) November 25, 2020
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Solution of Problem 2(iv)
Proof.
1
Note that for any n ∈ N, n > 1 we have n n > 1.
Then there exists some positive real number, say dn , such that
1
n n = 1 + dn .
If we show that lim dn exists, then we can conclude that
n→∞
1
lim (n) n also exists and
n→∞
1
lim n n = 1 + lim dn .
n→∞ n→∞
1
For each n ∈ N, n = 1 + dn =⇒ n = (1 + dn )n .
n
Using the binomial expansion, we get
1 1
n = 1 + ndn + n(n − 1)d2n + · · · + dnn ≥ 1 + n(n − 1)d2n .
2 2
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
109 (Tutorial Sheet 1) November 25, 2020
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Solution of Problem 2(iv)
Proof.
Since dn > 0 and n > 0, each of the terms in the binomial
expansion is positive. Hence,
n ≥ 1 + 21 n(n − 1)d2n .
q
2
After some easy calculations, we get ≤ i.e. dn ≤ n2 .
d2n n,
q q
Thus we get 0 ≤ dn ≤ n2 . Since { n2 } is a sequence converging
to 0, by sandwich theorem {dn } is also a convergent sequence and
lim dn = 0. Thus we get
n→∞
1
lim n n = lim (1 + dn ) = 1 + lim dn = 1 + 0 = 1.
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
109 (Tutorial Sheet 1) November 25, 2020
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Problem 5(iii)
Prove that the following sequence is convergent by showing that it is
monotone and bounded. Also, find the limit :
an
a1 = 2, an+1 = 3 + 2 , ∀ n ≥ 1.
Remark
an 6+an
an+1 = 3 + 2 = 2 .
Thus for each n ∈ N, an+1 is the arithmetic mean of an and 6.
Since a1 = 2 < 6, intuitively it should be easy to see that
an < an+1 and 2 ≤ an ≤ 6 for each n ∈ N. (Never write such a
statement in your exams. Nothing is “easy to see” in exams.
Always explain your steps properly.)
If lim an = L, then lim an+1 = L. (You can prove this using the
n→∞ n→∞
− n definition of limit.)
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
109 (Tutorial Sheet 1) November 25, 2020
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Solution of Problem 5(iii)
Proof.
We use the method of mathematical induction to show that
2 ≤ an ≤ 6 for each n ∈ N.
Since 2 ≤ a1 ≤ 6 is given in the question, the statement is true for
n = 1.
Suppose the statement be true for some n = k, i.e. 2 ≤ ak ≤ 6. We
will show that this implies 2 ≤ ak+1 ≤ 6. Now,
2 ≤ ak ≤ 6
=⇒ 1 ≤ a2k ≤ 3
=⇒ 4 ≤ 3 + a2k ≤ 6
=⇒ 2 ≤ 4 ≤ ak+1 ≤ 6.
Thus 2 ≤ an ≤ 6 for each n ∈ N and this shows that the sequence
{an } is bounded.
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
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Solution of Problem 5(iii)
Proof.
Next we use the method of mathematical induction to show that
an < an+1 for each n ∈ N.
Since a1 = 2 and a2 = 4, the statement is true for n = 1.
Suppose the statement be true for some n = k, i.e. ak < ak+1 . We
will show that this implies ak+1 < ak+2 . Now,
ak+2 − ak+1
a ak
= 3 + k+1 2 − 3 + 2
ak+1 −ak
= 2 > 0.
Thus an < an+1 for each n ∈ N and this shows that the sequence
{an } is monotonically increasing.
This concludes that the given sequence is a convergent sequence.
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
109 (Tutorial Sheet 1) November 25, 2020
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Solution of Problem 5(iii)
Proof.
Suppose lim an = L. Then we also have lim an+1 = L.
n→∞ n→∞
an
Also, the sequence {3 + 2 } is convergent to the point 3 + L2 .
Thus we have
L
L=3+
.
2
Solving this we get L = 6 as the required limit.
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
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Problem 7
If lim an = L 6= 0, show that there exists n0 ∈ N such that
n→∞
|L|
|an | ≥ , ∀ n ≥ n0 .
2
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MABombayContact:
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Solution of Problem 7
Proof.
For every > 0, there exists some m ∈ N such that
|an − L| < , ∀ n ≥ m.
Triangle inequality gives us |L| − |an | ≤ |an − L| < , ∀ n ≥ m.
In other words for n ≥ m,
|an | > |L| − .
|L|
Taking = 2 , we get some m = n0 such that
|L| |L|
|an | ≥ |L| − 2 = 2 , ∀ n ≥ n0 .
Hence, proved.
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
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Problem 9
For given sequences {an }n≥1 and {bn }n≥1 , prove or disprove the
following :
1 {an bn }n≥1 is convergent, if {an }n≥1 is convergent.
2 {an bn }n≥1 is convergent, if {an }n≥1 is convergent and {bn }n≥1 is
bounded.
Remark
To disprove a statement, it is enough to give a counter example.
But it is NOT enough to give an example in order to
prove a statement.
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
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Solution of Problem 9
Proof.
1 This statement is false.
Let an = n1 . Then {an } is convergent to 0. Let bn = n2 . Then the
sequence {an bn } = {n} is not convergent, as {n} is not bounded.
2 This statement is false.
Let an = 1 and bn = (−1)n for all n ∈ N. Then {an }, being a
constant sequence, is convergent and {bn } is bounded as
|bn | = 1, ∀ n ∈ N. But the sequence {an bn } = {(−1)n } is not
convergent.
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
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Problem 11
Let f, g : (a, b) → R be functions and suppose that lim f (x) = 0 for
x→c
c ∈ [a, b]. Prove or disprove the following statements:
1 lim [f (x)g(x)] = 0.
x→c
2 lim [f (x)g(x)] = 0, if g is bounded.
x→c
3 lim [f (x)g(x)] = 0, if lim g(x) exists.
x→c x→c
Definition
Let f : (a, b) → R be a function. We say the limit of f at c ∈ (a, b) is L
or lim f (x) = L, if for every > 0, there exists δ > 0 such that
x→c
|f (x) − L| < , whenever |x − c| < δ.
Alternatively, we say lim f (x) = L if for every sequence {xn }
x→c
converging to c, we have {f (xn )} converging to L.
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
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Solution of Problem 11
Proof.
1 The statement is false.
Let c = 0 and f, g : (−2, 2) → R be defined as f (x) = x and
(
1
x 2, x 6= 0
g(x) =
1, x = 0.
Then (
1
x, x 6= 0
f (x)g(x) =
0, x = 0.
The sequence {xn } = { n1 } in (−2, 2) converges to 0 as n → ∞. But
{f (xn )g(xn )} = { x1n } = {n} is not a convergent sequence. Hence,
lim [f (x)g(x)] does not exist.
x→c
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
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Solution of Problem 11
Proof.
2 The statement is true.
Let M > 0 be such that |g(x)| ≤ M for all x ∈ (a, b). Then
0 ≤ |f (x)g(x)| ≤ M |f (x)|.
Since lim f (x) = 0, by sandwich theorem we have
x→c
lim [f (x)g(x)] = 0.
x→c
3 The statement is true.
Let lim g(x) = L. Then we have
x→c
lim [f (x)g(x)] = lim f (x) . lim g(x) = 0.L = 0
x→c x→c x→c
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Problem 13 (iii)
Discuss the continuity of the following function :
x
[x] ,
if 1 ≤ x < 2
f (x) = 1, if x = 2,
√
6 − x, if 2 < x ≤ 3.
Sayan Dutta (Department of MathematicsIIT
MABombayContact:
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Solution of Problem 13 (iii)
Proof.
f (1) = 1 as [1] = 1.
For 1 < x < 2, f (x) = x. Let c ∈ [1, 2). For any sequence {xn } in
[1, 2) converging to c, {f (xn )} = {xn } converges to c = f (c). (Since
c ∈ [1, 2) and f (x) = x in [1, 2).) Thus f is continuous on [1, 2).
√ √
For 2 < x ≤ 3, we have 0 < 3 ≤ 6 − x < 2. Let c ∈ (2, 3]. For
any sequence√xn → c, we √ have
{f (xn )} = { 6 − xn } → 6 − c = f (c). Thus f (x) is continuous
at x = c for any c ∈ (2, 3].
We will now show that f is discontinuous at x = 2.
It is enough to show that there is a sequence {xn } converging to 2
such that {f (xn )} does not converge to f (2) = 1.
Consider the sequence {xn } = 2 − n1 . Then {xn } → 2 and
{f (xn )} = {xn } = {2 − n1 } → 2 as n → ∞. But f (2) = 1 6= 2.
Thus {f (xn )} does not converge to f (2).
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