Find rate of convergence for $\sqrt{n+1} - \sqrt{n} = 0$ as $n$ goes to infinity

179 Views Asked by At

We can use Taylor series to expand $\sqrt{x}$ $$ \sqrt{x} = \sqrt{n} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{n}}(x-n) - \frac{1}{4n^{3/2}}(x-n)^2 + ... $$

The solution provided to me uses expansion point around $\sqrt{n}$. And then we are supposed to substitute $x=n+1$

$$ \sqrt{n+1} = \sqrt n + \frac{1}{2\sqrt n}(n + 1 - n) + ... $$

And we arrive at

$$ \sqrt{n+1} - \sqrt n = (\sqrt n + \frac{1}{2\sqrt n}(n + 1 - n) + ...) - \sqrt n \\ = O(\frac{1}{\sqrt n}) $$

What I don't understand is how the expansion point is chosen.

1

There are 1 best solutions below

2
On BEST ANSWER

You can expand the series at anywhere you like (that make sense). For example, you can even try at $\sqrt{n + 1}$:

$$\sqrt{x} = \sqrt{n+1} + \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{n+1}} (x - n - 1) + \dfrac{1}{4(n+1)^{3/2}}(x - n - 1)^2 + \cdots$$

and sub $x = n$:

$$\sqrt{n} = \sqrt{n+1} + \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{n+1}} (-1) + \cdots$$

$$\Rightarrow \sqrt{n+1} - \sqrt{n} = \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{n+1}} + \cdots = O(1/\sqrt{n+1}) \rightarrow O(1/\sqrt{n})$$

That $n$ goes to infinity as you stated.

It's just for your convenience to expand the series at $x = n$.