What Values of x Allow Convergence in a Geometric Sequence of Sine Functions?

If ##|2cosx| = |2||cosx| < 1##, then ##-1 < cosx < 1/2##. If ##cosx = 1/2##, then ##x = \pi/3##. If ##cosx = -1/2##, then ##x = 2\pi/3##. So the sequence converges for ##x \in [\pi/3, 2\pi/3]## and the limit is 0.
  • #1
Matejxx1
72
1

Homework Statement


given a geometric sequence sin(x),sin(2x), . . .
c) find for which values of x∈(0,π) this sequence converges and calculate its limit

Homework Equations


|q|<1 or -1<q<1

The Attempt at a Solution


Ok so in part a) and b) i calculated the quotient and found out that
q=sin2x/sinx
q=(2*cos(x)*sin(x))/(sin(x))
q=2*cos(x)
so know i tried to figure out for which values x will converge
|q|<1
-1<q<1
-1<2*cos(x)<1 /:2
-1/2<cos(x)<1/2
2π/3>x>π/3
which means that the sequence will converge when the angle is anywhere between 120° and 60°
However I'm unsure now how to continue to find the limit because I've never seen an example where the value x isin't exactly defined
could someone show me how this is done or give me some kind of a hit or check if I made a mistake somewhere inbetween
Thanks
 
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  • #2
What makes you think that is s geometric sequence?

Also, you use both the terms series and sequence. Which is it?
 
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  • #3
I'm really sorry I made a mistake while translating the text into english.
Also it is written in the problem that this is a geometric sequence
 
  • #4
And the sequence is sin(x), 2 cos(x)sin(x), 4cos^2(x)sin(x), 8 cos^3(x)sin(x), ... ?
Yes, the "geometric sequence a, ar, ar^2, ar^3, ... converges for -1< r< 1 and converges to a/(1- r). Here you are saying that a= sin(x) and r= 2cos(x).
 
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  • #5
Matejxx1 said:
I'm really sorry I made a mistake while translating the text into english.
Also it is written in the problem that this is a geometric sequence
Perhaps there is a problem in translation, but clearly ##sin(nx)## is not in general a geometric sequence. Take ##x = \pi/2## for example.
 
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  • #6
Perhaps it will be better if I write the whole problem out not just the last step I'll try to do that right now
 
  • #7
HallsofIvy said:
And the sequence is sin(x), 2 cos(x)sin(x), 4cos^2(x)sin(x), 8 cos^3(x)sin(x), ... ?
yes that's the sequence.
HallsofIvy said:
converges to a/(1- r). Here you are saying that a= sin(x) and r= 2cos(x).
but woudn't that just give me the sum of all elements of the sequence?
Edit :
I asked my profesor if he could give me the solutions and he didn't have much time but I did get to take a picture if this helps in any way
20160118_105655.jpg

so the solutions to 5 c)
are π/3 ≤ x < 2*π/3 --------- it is the same that I got but I don't know why there is an equal sign?
x=π/3 ----------- the limit is sqrt(3)/2
π/3 < x < 2*π/3 the limit is 0 <------------------- i get this because if -1< r< 1 the sequence converges to 0
Could someone explain the equal sign in the first inequality
 
  • #8
So, the question is: For which values of x does the geometric sequence converge:

##sinx, sinx(2cosx), sinx(2cosx)^2 \dots##
 
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  • #9
yes basically
 
  • #10
Matejxx1 said:
yes basically
Why do you think ##|q| < 1##?
 
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  • #11
Well, I though if the series converges the sequence would converge as well.
Therefore I went ahead and wrote that |q|<1
 
  • #12
Many sequences converge when the corresponding series does not.

What about #q =1##?
 
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  • #13
Hmmm, now that you pointed it out if q=1 the limit of the sequence would simply be sin(x)
 
  • #14
Matejxx1 said:

Homework Statement


given a geometric sequence sin(x),sin(2x), . . .
c) find for which values of x∈(0,π) this sequence converges and calculate its limit

Is the sequence
sin(x), sin(2x), sin(3x), sin(4x), sin(5x), ...
or is it
sin(x), sin(x), sin(4x), sin(8x), sin(16x), ...?
 
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  • #15
the sequence is
sin(x), sin(x)*2cos(x), sin(x)*(2*cos(x))2, sin(x)*(2*cos(x))3, sin(x)*(2*cos(x))4, . . .
 
  • #16
PeroK said:
Many sequences converge when the corresponding series does not.

What about #q =1##?
i think I get it now
the sequence
an=sin(x)*(2*cos(x))n-1 will converge when either |2*cos(x)|<1--------- when that is true the sequence will converge to 0
or when 2*cos(x)=1
2*cos(x)>1 this is not possbile because a limit would not exist here
2*cos(x)=-1 because the limit doesn't exist here either
am I correct about this?
 
  • #17
Matejxx1 said:
i think I get it now
the sequence
an=sin(x)*(2*cos(x))n-1 will converge when either |2*cos(x)|<1--------- when that is true the sequence will converge to 0
or when 2*cos(x)=1
2*cos(x)>1 this is not possbile because a limit would not exist here
2*cos(x)=-1 because the limit doesn't exist here either
am I correct about this?
Yes.
 

Related to What Values of x Allow Convergence in a Geometric Sequence of Sine Functions?

What is a limit of a sequence?

A limit of a sequence is a value that the terms of the sequence approach as the position numbers of the terms increase without bound.

How do you find the limit of a sequence?

The limit of a sequence can be found by evaluating the values of the terms in the sequence as the position numbers increase without bound. This can be done by using a formula or by manually calculating the values.

Why is finding the limit of a sequence important?

Finding the limit of a sequence is important in many mathematical and scientific applications. It helps to determine the behavior and patterns of a sequence and is used in fields such as calculus, physics, and statistics.

What are the methods for finding the limit of a sequence?

There are several methods for finding the limit of a sequence, including using the Squeeze Theorem, the Monotone Convergence Theorem, and the Ratio Test. These methods involve analyzing the behavior and properties of the terms in the sequence to determine the limit.

What are some common misconceptions about finding the limit of a sequence?

One common misconception about finding the limit of a sequence is that it always exists. In reality, not all sequences have a limit. Another misconception is that the limit of a sequence is always the last term in the sequence. This is not always the case, as the limit can be any value that the terms approach as the position numbers increase without bound.

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