I am self-learning real analysis from Stephen Abott's Understanding Analysis. In Exercise 2.3.7, the author asks to prove or disprove basic results on convergence. I'd like to verify my solution, to ensure, I've understood the concepts, and if proof is technically correct and rigorous.
\textbf{Problem.} Give an example of each of the following, or state that such a request is impossible by referencing proper theorem(s):
(a) sequences $(x_n)$ and $(y_n)$, which both diverge, but whose sum $(x_n + y_n)$ converges;
(b) sequences $(x_n)$ and $(y_n)$, where $(x_n)$ converges, $(y_n)$ diverges, and $(x_n + y_n)$ converges;
(c) a convergent sequence $(b_n)$ with $b_n \ne 0$ for all $n$ such that $1/b_n$ diverges;
(d) an unbounded sequence $(a_n)$ and a convergent sequence $(b_n)$ with $(a_n – b_n)$ bounded
(e) two sequences $(a_n)$ and $(b_n)$, where $(a_n b_n)$ and $a_n$ converge but $(b_n)$ does not.
Solution.
(a) Consider the sequence $(x_n)$ given by $x_n = \sqrt{n+1}$ and the sequence $(y_n)$ given by $y_n = -\sqrt{n}$. Both sequences diverge, but the sum $(x_n + y_n)$ converges to $0$.
Also, consider the sequence $(x_n)$ given by $x_n = n$ and the sequence $(y_n)$ given by $y_n = -\sqrt{n^2 + 2n}$. Both sequences diverge, but the sum $(x_n + y_n)$ converges to $-1$.
(b) This request is impossible. If the $(x_n + y_n)$ is to be convergent, it implies we are able to make the distance $\vert{(x_n + y_n) – (x + y)}\vert$ as small as like. However, we cannot make $y_n$ to lie eventually in a set $(y – \epsilon, y + \epsilon)$. Hence, the sum cannot be convergent.
(c) Consider the sequence $(b_n)$ given by $b_n = \frac{1}{n}$. Then, $(b_n)$ is a convergent sequence but $1/b_n$ is divergent.
(d) This request is impossible. The key here is to show that, assuming here $(a_n)$ is bounded leads to the contradiction, leading to their difference also being bounded.
If $(a_n)$ is a bounded sequence, there exists a large number $M > 0$, such that $\vert{a_n}\vert < M$ for all $n \in \mathbf{N}$. If $(b_n)$ is a bounded sequence, there exists a large number $N > 0$, such that $\vert{a_n}\vert < N$ for all $n \in \mathbf{N}$.
Thus,
\begin{align*}
\vert{a_n – b_n}\vert &= \vert{a_n + (-b_n)}\vert \\
&\le \vert{a_n}\vert + \vert{-b_n}\vert\\
&< M + N
\end{align*}
(e) Consider the sequence $(a_n)$ given by $a_n = \frac{1}{n}$ and $(a_n b_n)$ given by $a_n b_n= \frac{\sin n}{n}$. Thus, $(a_n b_n)$ and $(a_n)$ converges, but $(b_n)$ does not.
Best Answer
Thank you for a detailed, well-asked question!
For (a), (c), and (e): your examples are all correct. I would say that you asserted several facts that haven't been justified (which would make the proof incomplete, if you were writing for someone else's judgment/understanding). For example, the asserted limits of your examples in part (a) would need to be justified, as would the convergent/divergent assertions in part (e). Note even in part (c) that you didn't justify your assertions (though in that case they're pretty obvious).
While the idea is reasonable, your proof for part (b) isn't rigorous. One detail: assuming that $(x_n+y_n)$ is convergent means that it converges to some number $z$, not to $x+y$ (indeed you didn't define either $x$ or $y$). Then you asserted, without proof, that $y_n$ can't be made to lie inside a small set. Your ideas are heading in the right direction, but you would need to use the precise definitions of convergence/divergence in exploiting the assumptions and in setting out what needs to be proved.
Alternatively: you (correctly) believe (b) is impossible—in other words, you believe the implication "if $(x_n)$ converges and $(y_n)$ diverges, then $(x_n+y_n)$ diverges". As it turns out, that statement is logically equivalent to "if $(x_n)$ converges and $(x_n+y_n)$ converges, then $(y_n)$ converges"—which you might well find easier to prove! (By logically equivalent, I mean that the two statements "if P and Q, then R" and "if P and (not R), then (not Q)" have the same meaning.)
Your proof for (d) seems to prove the following statement: "if $(a_n)$ is bounded and $(b_n)$ is bounded, then $(a_n+b_n)$ is bounded". That is a true fact, but is that what you want to prove here?