Existence of Monotonic Subsequences

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 102 views

If Every Monotonic Subsequence of a Sequence is Bounded Then the Sequence is Also Bounded

In the realm of real analysis, sequences and series are fundamental concepts that have far-reaching implications in mathematics and its applications. A sequence is a function whose domain is the set of natural numbers, and its range is a set of real numbers. In this article, we will delve into the concept of monotonic subsequences and their relationship with bounded sequences. Specifically, we will explore the theorem that states if every monotonic subsequence of a sequence is bounded, then the sequence itself is also bounded.

Theorem Statement

The theorem in question is stated as follows:

Theorem (Bartle 4th ed.): If every monotonic subsequence of a sequence $(x_n)$ is bounded, then show that $(x_n)$ is bounded.

Proof by Contradiction

To prove this theorem, we will employ a proof by contradiction. This method involves assuming the opposite of what we want to prove and then showing that this assumption leads to a logical contradiction.

Assumption

Assume that the sequence $(x_n)$ is unbounded. This means that for any real number $M$ , there exists a natural number $n$ such that $|x_n| > M$ .

Existence of Monotonic Subsequences

Since the sequence $(x_n)$ is unbounded, it must have at least one monotonic subsequence. A monotonic subsequence is a subsequence that is either monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing.

Boundedness of Monotonic Subsequences

Now, let's assume that every monotonic subsequence of $(x_n)$ is bounded. This means that for any monotonic subsequence $(x_{n_k})$ , there exists a real number $M$ such that $|x_{n_k}| \leq M$ for all $k$ .

Contradiction

However, this assumption leads to a contradiction. If every monotonic subsequence of $(x_n)$ is bounded, then the sequence $(x_n)$ itself must be bounded. This is because a sequence is bounded if and only if all its subsequences are bounded.

Conclusion

Therefore, our initial assumption that the sequence $(x_n)$ is unbounded must be false. This means that the sequence $(x_n)$ is indeed bounded.

Alternative Proof

Another way to prove this theorem is to use the following argument:

If the sequence $(x_n)$ is unbounded, then it has at least one monotonic subsequence that is unbounded.
However, this is impossible since every monotonic subsequence of $(x_n)$ is bounded by assumption.
Therefore, the sequence $(x_n)$ must be bounded.

Discussion

This theorem has important implications in real analysis and its applications. For example, it can be used to prove the boundedness of sequences that arise in mathematical modeling of physical systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have proven the theorem that states if every monotonic subsequence of a sequence is bounded, then the sequence itself is also bounded. This result has far-reaching implications in real analysis and its applications.

References

Bartle, R. G. (2011). The Elements of Real Analysis. Wiley.

Additional Notes

This theorem can be generalized to sequences of real numbers in higher dimensions.
The proof by contradiction is a powerful tool in mathematics that can be used to prove a wide range of results.

Glossary

Monotonic subsequence: A subsequence that is either monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing.
Bounded sequence: A sequence whose elements are all within a certain range.
Unbounded sequence: A sequence whose elements are not all within a certain range.

FAQs

Q: What is the relationship between monotonic subsequences and bounded sequences?
A: If every monotonic subsequence of a sequence is bounded, then the sequence itself is also bounded.
Q: How can we prove this theorem?
A: We can use a proof by contradiction or an alternative proof using the argument above.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) =====================================

Q: What is the significance of the theorem that states if every monotonic subsequence of a sequence is bounded, then the sequence itself is also bounded?

A: This theorem has far-reaching implications in real analysis and its applications. It can be used to prove the boundedness of sequences that arise in mathematical modeling of physical systems.

Q: What is a monotonic subsequence?

A: A monotonic subsequence is a subsequence that is either monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing. In other words, it is a subsequence where each element is either greater than or equal to the previous element (increasing) or less than or equal to the previous element (decreasing).

Q: What is a bounded sequence?

A: A bounded sequence is a sequence whose elements are all within a certain range. In other words, there exists a real number M such that |x_n| ≤ M for all n.

Q: What is an unbounded sequence?

A: An unbounded sequence is a sequence whose elements are not all within a certain range. In other words, for any real number M, there exists a natural number n such that |x_n| > M.

Q: How can we prove that a sequence is bounded if every monotonic subsequence is bounded?

A: We can use a proof by contradiction or an alternative proof using the argument above. The proof by contradiction involves assuming that the sequence is unbounded and then showing that this assumption leads to a logical contradiction. The alternative proof involves showing that if every monotonic subsequence is bounded, then the sequence itself must be bounded.

Q: What are some applications of this theorem?

A: This theorem has far-reaching implications in real analysis and its applications. It can be used to prove the boundedness of sequences that arise in mathematical modeling of physical systems. For example, it can be used to prove the boundedness of the sequence of partial sums of a convergent series.

Q: Can this theorem be generalized to sequences of real numbers in higher dimensions?

A: Yes, this theorem can be generalized to sequences of real numbers in higher dimensions. The proof involves using a similar argument to the one used in the one-dimensional case.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when working with this theorem?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when working with this theorem include:

Assuming that a sequence is bounded without checking if every monotonic subsequence is bounded.
Failing to recognize that a sequence may have multiple monotonic subsequences.
Not using a proof by contradiction or an alternative proof when trying to prove that a sequence is bounded.

Q: How can we use this theorem to prove the boundedness of a sequence?

A: To use this theorem to prove the boundedness of a sequence, we need to show that every monotonic subsequence of the sequence is bounded. We can do this by using a proof by contradiction or an alternative proof using the argument above.

Q: What are some real-world applications of this theorem?

Q: Can this theorem be used to prove the convergence of a sequence?

A: Yes, this theorem can be used to prove the convergence of a sequence. If a sequence is bounded and monotonic, then it must converge to a limit.