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Introduction
In order to make us understand the information more on approaches of a given real
sequence a n n1 , we give two definitions, thier names are upper limit and lower limit. It
is fundamental but important tools in analysis.
Definition of limit sup and limit inf
Definition Given a real sequence a n n1 , we define
b n supa m : m n
and
c n infa m : m n.
Example 1 1 n n1 0, 2, 0, 2, . . . , so we have
b n 2 and c n 0 for all n.
Example 1 n n n1 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . , so we have
b n and c n for all n.
Example n n1 1, 2, 3, . . . , so we have
b n n and c n for all n.
Proposition Given a real sequence a n n1 , and thus define b n and c n as the same as
before.
1 b n , and c n n N.
2 If there is a positive integer p such that b p , then b n n N.
If there is a positive integer q such that c q , then c n n N.
3 b n is decreasing and c n is increasing.
By property 3, we can give definitions on the upper limit and the lower limit of a given
sequence as follows.
Definition Given a real sequence a n and let b n and c n as the same as before.
(1) If every b n R, then
infb n : n N
is called the upper limit of a n , denoted by
lim
n
sup a n .
That is,
lim
n
sup a n inf b n .
n
If every b n , then we define
lim
n
sup a n .
Remark The concept of lower limit and upper limit first appear in the book (Analyse
Alge’brique) written by Cauchy in 1821. But until 1882, Paul du Bois-Reymond
gave explanations on them, it becomes well-known.
Example 1 1 n n1 0, 2, 0, 2, . . . , so we have
b n 2 and c n 0 for all n
which implies that
lim sup a n 2 and lim inf a n 0.
Example 1 n n n1 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . , so we have
b n and c n for all n
which implies that
lim sup a n and lim inf a n .
Example n n1 1, 2, 3, . . . , so we have
b n n and c n for all n
which implies that
lim sup a n and lim inf a n .
(2) If lim n inf a n , then we call the sequence a n diverges to ,
denoted by
lim a .
n n
(3) Suppose that lim n inf a n , lim n inf b n , lim n sup a n ,
lim n sup b n , and a n 0, b n 0 n, then
lim
n
inf a n lim
n
inf b n
lim
n
infa n b n
lim
n
inf a n lim
n
sup b n (or lim
n
inf b n lim
n
sup a n )
lim
n
supa n b n
lim
n
sup a n lim
n
sup b n .
In particular, if a n converges, we have
lim
n
supa n b n lim a lim sup b n
n n n
and
lim
n
infa n b n lim a lim inf b n .
n n n
(2) The proof is easy if we list the definition of limit sup and limit inf. So, we
omit it.
Exercise Let a n be a real sequence satisfying a np a n a p for all n, p. Show that
ann converges.
Hint: Consider its limit inf.