The sum of the first nn terms of a sequence, uru_r, is given by ∑r=1nur=1−n(n+1)!\displaystyle\sum_{r=1}^n u_r = 1 - \dfrac{n}{(n+1)!}.

  1. (a)

    Find unu_n in terms of nn, for n≥2n \ge 2, expressing your answer as a single algebraic fraction.

  2. (b)

    Show that ∑r=5nur<130\displaystyle\sum_{r=5}^n u_r < \dfrac{1}{30} for all n≥5n \ge 5.

  3. (c)

    Explain why ∑r=1∞ur\displaystyle\sum_{r=1}^{\infty} u_r is a convergent series.

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Worked solution

2(a)

1. Apply the relationship between the $n$th term and the sum of the first $n$ terms.

un=Sn−Sn−1u_n = S_n - S_{n-1}
un=(1−n(n+1)!)−(1−n−1n!)u_n = \left( 1 - \dfrac{n}{(n+1)!} \right) - \left( 1 - \dfrac{n-1}{n!} \right)

2. Find a common denominator to combine the terms into a single fraction.

un=n−1n!−n(n+1)!u_n = \dfrac{n-1}{n!} - \dfrac{n}{(n+1)!}
un=(n−1)(n+1)(n+1)!−n(n+1)!u_n = \dfrac{(n-1)(n+1)}{(n+1)!} - \dfrac{n}{(n+1)!}

3. Simplify the numerator to express the answer as a single algebraic fraction.

un=n2−1−n(n+1)!u_n = \dfrac{n^2 - 1 - n}{(n+1)!}
un=n2−n−1(n+1)!u_n = \dfrac{n^2 - n - 1}{(n+1)!}

Answer

n2−n−1(n+1)!\dfrac{n^2 - n - 1}{(n+1)!}

2(b)

1. Express the required sum as the difference of two sums starting from the first term.

∑r=5nur=∑r=1nur−∑r=14ur\sum_{r=5}^n u_r = \sum_{r=1}^n u_r - \sum_{r=1}^4 u_r

2. Substitute the given sum formula to evaluate and simplify the expression.

∑r=5nur=(1−n(n+1)!)−(1−4(4+1)!)\sum_{r=5}^n u_r = \left( 1 - \frac{n}{(n+1)!} \right) - \left( 1 - \frac{4}{(4+1)!} \right)
=1−n(n+1)!−1+4120= 1 - \frac{n}{(n+1)!} - 1 + \frac{4}{120}
=130−n(n+1)!= \frac{1}{30} - \frac{n}{(n+1)!}

3. Conclude the proof by showing the subtracted term is always strictly positive.

Since n≥5n \ge 5, n>0n > 0 and (n+1)!>0(n+1)! > 0.
Therefore, n(n+1)!>0\frac{n}{(n+1)!} > 0.

Subtracting a strictly positive number from 130\frac{1}{30} yields a value strictly less than 130\frac{1}{30}.

Thus, ∑r=5nur<130\sum_{r=5}^n u_r < \frac{1}{30} for all n≥5n \ge 5.

Answer

Shown

2(c)

1. Evaluate the limit of the sum to $n$ terms as $n$ approaches infinity and state the conclusion.

As n→∞n \to \infty, n(n+1)!→0\frac{n}{(n+1)!} \to 0.

lim⁡n→∞∑r=1nur=lim⁡n→∞(1−n(n+1)!)=1−0=1\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{r=1}^n u_r = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left( 1 - \frac{n}{(n+1)!} \right) = 1 - 0 = 1

Since the limit of the sum to nn terms approaches a finite constant (11) as n→∞n \to \infty, the series is convergent.

Answer

As n→∞n \to \infty, n(n+1)!→0\frac{n}{(n+1)!} \to 0. Thus lim⁡n→∞Sn=1\lim_{n \to \infty} S_n = 1, which is a finite constant, so the series converges.

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