Sequence and Series

Author:              Zhiming Ou

                         Mattermatics Learning Center

Publisher:       3265 Public Way

ISBN: 978-0-9866371-9-3

Summary

Starting from the simple pattern in a sequence of numbers, we travel through arithmetic sequence, geometric sequence and general recursive sequence and series, and delve into infinite sequences and series. Many natural phenomena can only be described by an infinite process.

It is an important ability to discover the pattern involved in a list of objects. The general methods are (1) comparing consecutive terms, (2) by mathematical induction, (3) solving mathematical recursion, (4) finding a closed form for a series. This book shows all the skills to obtain this ability.

Content

Chapter 1 Sequence of Numbers           4

  • 1.1 General term of a Sequence 4
  • 1.2 Patterns in Equations 12

 

Chapter 2 Arithmetic Sequences and Series       14

  • 2.1 Arithmetic Sequence 14
  • 2.2 Arithmetic Series 17

 

Chapter 3 Geometric Sequence and Series     21

  • 3.1 Geometric Sequences 21
  • 3.2 Geometric Series 23

 

Chapter 4 Financial Mathematics       26

  • 4.1. Compounded Interest 26
  • 4.2. Present Values 27
  • 4.3. Amount of Annuity 28
  • 4.4. Present Value of an Annuity 29
  • 4.5. Installments 30

 

Chapter 5 Recursive Sequences        33

  • 5.1 Concept of Recursive Sequence 33
  • 5.2 Solving Recursive Sequences 36
  • 5.3 Series and Summation 40

Sigma Notation       40

The Telescoping Skill      41

Relationship between Sn and tn    42

 

Chapter 6 Mathematical Induction         43

  • 6.1 The Principle of Mathematical Induction 43

Proof by Induction    44

The Principle of Mathematical Induction      46

  • 6.2 The Method of Induction 49
  • 6.3 Flawed Proofs by Induction 52

 

Chapter 7 Transformations of Sequences       54

  • 7.1 Transform a Sequence to some known Sequence 54
  • 7.2 Recursive equations with complicated functions 55
  • 7.3 Properties of Sequences 56

Chapter 8 Advanced Methods for Solving Linear Recurrence     59

  • 8.1 Formula for General Linear Recurrence 60
  • 8.2 Infinite Geometric Series 61
  • 8.3 Generating Functions 62

 

Chapter 9 Infinite Series and Products       65

  • 9.1 Concept 65
  • 9.2 Linear Operations with Series 68
  • 9.3 Test of Convergence 70

 

Chapter 10 Power Series      81

  • 10.1 Convergence 81
  • 10.2 Representations of Functions as Power Series 84
  • 10.3 Operations on Power Series 88

 

Chapter 11 Trigonometric Series      92

  • 11.1 Convergence of Trigonometric Series 92
  • 11.2 Fourier Series 93

Convergence         95

Parseval’s Identity             96

Poisson’s Summation Formula         96

 

Chapter 12 General Function Term Series        98

  • 12.1 Definition 98

uniformly convergent series      99

  • 12.2 Infinite Products 100
  • 12.3 Dirichlet Series 101