Evaluate $\lim_{n\to \infty}\left(\frac{1}{5n-2}+\frac{1}{5n-1}+\cdots+\frac{1}{8n+2}\right)$

limitsreal-analysissequences-and-series

This is a problem taken from an exam of Analysis 1 course I attend.

$$\lim_{n\to \infty}\left(\frac{1}{5n-2}+\frac{1}{5n-1}+\cdots+\frac{1}{8n+2}\right)$$

I tryed to solve this limit and I've got the following results

$$\underbrace{\lim_{n\to \infty}\left(\frac{3n+5}{5n-2}\right)}_{{\longrightarrow}\frac{3}{5}}\geq\lim_{n\to \infty}\sum_{k=1}^{3n+5}\frac{1}{5n+k-3}\geq\underbrace{\lim_{n\to \infty}\left(\frac{3n+5}{8n+2}\right)}_{{\longrightarrow}\frac{3}{8}}$$

I was going for Squeeze theorem, but I got that $\text{LHS}\left(\frac{3}{5}\right)\space\ne\space \text{RHS}\left(\frac{3}{8}\right)$. Since the squeeze theorem works only in one direction, it's not guaranteed it diverges.

So, what did I do wrong or what other method to use on this problem ?

Reminder: The limit is supposed to be solved only with the knowledge prior to derivatives and integrals.

EDIT: Are these kinds of problems called truncated sums or series, similar problem here?

Thanks in advance

Best Answer

In one of your comments you cite a property you are allowed to use:

  • $\frac 1{k+1} < \ln (k+1) - \ln k < \frac 1k$

Using this you get

$$ \sum_{k=-2}^{3n+2} \left(\ln (5n+k+1) - \ln (5n+k)\right) <$$ $$\sum_{k=-2}^{3n+2}\frac 1{5n+k} < $$ $$\sum_{k=-2}^{3n+2}\left(\ln (5n+k) - \ln (5n+k-1)\right)$$

Hence, telescoping gives

$$\underbrace{\ln\left(\frac{8n+3}{5n-2}\right)}_{\stackrel{n\to\infty}{\longrightarrow}\ln \frac 85} < \sum_{k=-2}^{3n+2}\frac 1{5n+k} < \underbrace{\ln\left(\frac{8n+2}{5n-3}\right)}_{\stackrel{n\to\infty}{\longrightarrow}\ln \frac 85}$$