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Next: Question 10 Up: Theoretical Mathematics, Final Examination, Previous: Question 8

Question 9

Let $ \displaystyle{x_n = - \left(\frac{n+2}{n + 1}\right)}$, if $ n$ is odd and $ \displaystyle{x_n = \frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}}$ if $ n$ is even.

Let $ \mathbb{X} = \{ x_n: n \in \mathbb{N}\}$.
For any $ k \in \mathbb{N}$, put $ \mathbb{X}_k = \{ x_n: n \ge k, n \in \mathbb{N}\}$.
Let $ a_k = \inf(\mathbb{X}_k)$ and $ b_k = \sup(\mathbb{X}_k)$, for any $ k \in \mathbb{N}$.
Put $ \mathbb{J}_k = [a_k, b_k]$, for any $ k \in \mathbb{N}$.
Prove that $ \{ \mathbb{J}_k: k \in \mathbb{N}\}$ is a nested sequence of intervals.
Do there exist three subsequences of $ \mathbb{X}$ with different limits?
Explain your answer.



George A. J. Sparling 2012-04-25