Let's try to formulate a good definition for the value of a general sum_{k in K}, where K might be infinite. For starters, let's assume that all the terms ak are nonnegative. Then a suitable definition is not hard to find: If there's a bounding constant A such that sum_{k in F} a_k <= A

teevaituinomakw

teevaituinomakw

Answered question

2022-09-05

Concrete Mathematics: Formulating definition for value of a general infinite sum
I am having trouble following the explanation which I will reproduce below shortly. I think it is just saying if an infinite sum has a "bounding constant" such as the first example they give, S = 1 + 1 2 + 1 4 + 1 8 + . . . bounded by 2 then them resulting sum is finite even if the "inputs" are infinite. If the sum has no bounding constant then the sum result is infinite.
Below is the paragraph to give context so I can highlight the part that confuses me:
Let's try to formulate a good definition for the value of a general sum k K , where K might be infinite. For starters, let's assume that all the terms ak are nonnegative. Then a suitable definition is not hard to find: If there's a bounding constant A such that
k F a k A
I think I get the above but then this last part I am not following:
for all finite subsets F K, then we define k K a k to be the least such A.
Is this a way of saying our sum will be A big if that is the bounding constant? I don't understand what they mean by "the least such A".

Answer & Explanation

Everett Melton

Everett Melton

Beginner2022-09-06Added 12 answers

Step 1
Consider the series
S = 1 2 + 1 4 + 1 8 + + 1 2 k +
The partial sums (the summations referred in the post) are 1 2 , 3 4 , 7 8 , 9 16 , and so on. Now, you notice that all of these are less than 1 (the bounding constant).
Step 2
But observe that the partial sums are also always less than 2, 3, or even 2102 × 10 31 . However, for any number less than 1, you will always find a partial sum which exceeds that number. (Try proving that!) Hence, it follows 1 is the least number satisfying this property. If we don't use it, we will be left with infinitely many A's which wouldn't be any use of us then.

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