Linear Combination of Null Sequences

October 7, 2024

This is a proof that the linear combination of null sequences is a null sequence.

Be (an)Q(a_n) \subset \mathbb{Q} and (bn)Q(b_n) \subset \mathbb{Q} null sequences. We want to prove that the sequence (cn)=λ(an)+μ(bn(c_n) = \lambda (a_n) + \mu (b_n) is a null sequence, for any λ,μQ\lambda, \mu \in \mathbb{Q}.

As we know, as (an)(a_n) is a null sequence, then exists an ϵQ\epsilon \in \mathbb{Q} such that for all ϵ>0\epsilon > 0, exists an NaNN_a \in \mathbb{N} such that for all nNan \geq N_a, we have an<ϵ|a_n| < \epsilon. The same is valid for (bn)(b_n), so exists an ϵQ\epsilon \in \mathbb{Q} such that for all ϵ>0\epsilon > 0, exists an NbNN_b \in \mathbb{N} such that for all nNbn \geq N_b, we have bn<ϵ|b_n| < \epsilon.

Taking max(Na,Nb)=N\max(N_a, N_b) = N, we have that for all nNn \geq N, we have an<ϵ|a_n| < \epsilon and bn<ϵ|b_n| < \epsilon, so:

  • For ϵ2λ>0\frac{\epsilon}{2|\lambda|} > 0, exists an NaNN_a \in \mathbb{N} such that for all nNn \geq N, we have an<ϵ2λ|a_n| < \frac{\epsilon}{2|\lambda|}.
  • For ϵ2μ>0\frac{\epsilon}{2|\mu|} > 0, exists an NbNN_b \in \mathbb{N} such that for all nNn \geq N, we have bn<ϵ2μ|b_n| < \frac{\epsilon}{2|\mu|}.

So, we can write:

cn=λan+μbnλan+μbn=λan+μbn<λϵ2λ+μϵ2μ=ϵ2+ϵ2=ϵ \begin{aligned} |c_n| &= |\lambda a_n + \mu b_n| \\ &\leq |\lambda a_n| + |\mu b_n| \\ &= |\lambda| |a_n| + |\mu| |b_n| \\ &< |\lambda| \frac{\epsilon}{2|\lambda|} + |\mu| \frac{\epsilon}{2|\mu|} \\ &= \frac{\epsilon}{2} + \frac{\epsilon}{2} \\ &= \epsilon \end{aligned}

Therefore, we have proved that the linear combination of null sequences is a null sequence.