AP Calculus BC glossary

Sequence

A sequence is an ordered list of numbers indexed by the positive integers. A series is the sum of the terms of a sequence, so a sequence is a list while a series is a total.

A sequence converges when its terms approach a single limit. A series converges when its partial sums approach a limit, which is a stronger and quite different requirement.

The harmonic sequence 1n\frac{1}{n} converges to 0, but the harmonic series 1n\sum \frac{1}{n} diverges. That one example is the clearest reason the distinction matters.

The mistake

Concluding a series converges because its terms go to zero. Terms going to zero is necessary but nowhere near sufficient.

Appears in: Unit 10: Infinite Sequences and Series (BC)