Subsequence

Suppose u:Z+→Ru:\mathbb{Z}^+\rightarrow \mathbb{R} be a sequence and v:Z+→Z+v:\mathbb{Z}^+\rightarrow\mathbb{Z}^+ be an increasing sequence. Then u∘v:Z+→Ru\circ v: \mathbb{Z}^+\rightarrow \mathbb{R} is a subsequence of uu.

Monotonic Subsubsequence

Every sequence has a monotonic subsequence.

  • Let n∈Z+n\in\mathbb{Z}^+ be called “good” iff ∀m>n, un>um\forall m>n,\,u_n > u_m.
  • Suppose unu_n has infinitely many “good” points. That implies unu_n has a decreasing subsequence.
  • Suppose unu_n has finitely many “good” points. Let NN is the maximum of those. ∀n1>N, n1  is not "good"\forall n_1 > N,\,n_1\;\text{is not "good"} That implies unu_n has a increasing subsequence.

Bolzano-Weierstrass

Every bounded sequence on R\mathbb{R} has a converging subsequence.

From the above theorem, there is a monotonic subsequence unku_{n_k} which is also bounded. Bounded monotone sequences converge.

Convergence

Suppose unku_{n_k} is a subsequence of unu_n.

Sequence Converging

lim⁡n→∞un=L  ⟹  lim⁡nk→∞unk=L\lim_{n \to \infty} u_n = L \implies \lim_{n_k \to \infty} u_{n_k} = L

Sequence Diverging to Infinity

lim⁡n→∞uk=∞  ⟹  lim⁡nk→∞unk=∞\lim_{n \to \infty} u_k = \infty \implies \lim_{n_k \to \infty} u_{n_k} = \infty

Converging Subsequence

If unu_n is Cauchy and unku_{n_k} is a subsequence converging to LL, then unu_n converges to LL.

Written by October 17, 2026 1 min read
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