Thomas' Calculus 13th Edition

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32187-896-5
ISBN 13: 978-0-32187-896-0

Chapter 10: Infinite Sequences and Series - Section 10.1 - Sequences - Exercises 10.1 - Page 572: 146

Answer

$ a.\quad$ Converges to $L=1.$. See image. Steps given below. $ b.\quad$ $N=1180$ $N=117,250$ (possible answers)

Work Step by Step

$a.\quad $ The steps you take will depend on the CAS you are using, but they follow the same logic. Using the free online CAS at geogebra.org/cas: Cell 1: Enter the function representing the sequence $a(x)= (123456)^{1/x}$ From the dropdown menu, select "Table of values" In the dialog box for the table, set the range from 1 to 25, step 1. When we observe the graph, the points seem to drop towards the x-axis. Zooming out sufficiently, we see that they approach the line $y=1$. The sequence seems to converge to $1$. In the next free cell of the CAS, we find the limit when $ n\rightarrow\infty$ Here, we enter "L=Limit(a, infinity)" (without quotes) The CAS returns the limit to be $L=1$. $ b.\quad$ $\epsilon=0.01.$ Zooming out, we find where the graph of $a(x)$ intersects the line $y=1.01$ The cas returns $x=1178.216$ So, we can take $N=1180$. $\epsilon=0.0001.$ Keeping the zoom as above, we find where the graph of $a(x)$ intersects the line $y=1.0001$ The cas returns $x=117,242.26$ So, we can take $N=117,250$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.