Let a1,a2,…,an,… be a geometric progression with a1=3−2a and ratio q=a−23−2a, where a=23,2 is a real number. Set Sn=∑i=1nai, n≥1. Prove that if the sequence {Sn}n=1∞ is convergent and its limit is S, then S<1.
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Solution: Since Sn=a1⋅1−q1−qn, the sequence {Sn}n=1∞ converges if and only if ∣q∣<1. Therefore −1<a−23−2a<1, whence a∈(1,35)\{23}. In this case S=n→∞limSn=a1⋅1−q1=1−a−23−2a3−2a=3a−5(3−2a)(a−2) and we have to prove that for every a∈(1,35)\{23} the inequality 3a−5(3−2a)(a−2)<1 holds. This inequality is equivalent to 3a−52a2−4a+1>0 and since 3a−5<0, we have to prove that f(a)=2a2−4a+1<0. This follows from f(1)=−1 and f(35)=−91.
Source: MathNet,
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