Calculus (3rd Edition)

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1464125260
ISBN 13: 978-1-46412-526-3

Chapter 11 - Infinite Series - 11.1 Sequences - Exercises - Page 538: 75

Answer

Example: ${a_n} = \cos \pi n$ for $n = 1,2,3,...$. The sequence $\left\{ {{a_n}} \right\}$ diverges. However, $\mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty } \left| {{a_n}} \right| = 1$. So, the sequence $\left\{ {\left| {{a_n}} \right|} \right\}$ converges.

Work Step by Step

As an example, consider ${a_n} = \cos \pi n$ for $n = 1,2,3,....$. We may write out this sequence as $-1,1,-1,1,...$. Since the terms bounce back and forth with values $-1$ and $1$ but never settle down to approach a limit, $\left\{ {{a_n}} \right\}$ diverges. However, $\left| {{a_n}} \right| = \left| {\cos \pi n} \right| = 1$ for $n=1,2,3,...$. So, $\mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty } \left| {{a_n}} \right| = 1$. Thus, the sequence $\left\{ {\left| {{a_n}} \right|} \right\}$ converges.
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