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Part BCSIR NET December 2024one-subsequence-bounds-the-liminf-only-one-way

One subsequence bounds the liminf only one way

Let (xn)n≥1(x_{n})_{n}\ge_{1} be a sequence of real numbers that has a decreasing subsequence (x(nk))k≥1(x_(n_{k}))_{k}\ge_{1}. Assume that lim⁡(k→∞)x(nk)=2025\lim(k\to\infty) x_(n_{k}) = 2025. Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

  1. A.lim⁡inf⁡(n→∞)xn≥2025\lim \inf(n\to\infty) x_{n} \ge 2025
  2. B.lim⁡sup⁡(n→∞)xn≤2025\lim \sup(n\to\infty) x_{n} \le 2025
  3. C.lim⁡inf⁡(n→∞)xn≤2025\lim \inf(n\to\infty) x_{n} \le 2025✓ Correct
  4. D.lim⁡inf⁡(k→∞)x(nk)>2025\lim \inf(k\to\infty) x_(n_{k}) > 2025

You have the answer. Trap Analysis is why the other three were written.

Not a worked solution repeated four times — the specific reasoning error each wrong option was built to reward, and why this one tests limit assumed to exist.

See pricing

50 are analysed free — try those first.

The trap it tests

Limit assumed to exist

Reasoning with a limit before establishing there is one. limsup is not lim.

Drill statements like this

Related counterexample: limsup(aₙ + bₙ) = limsup aₙ + limsup bₙ

More on this topic

The chapter behind this: limsup and liminf — three equivalent definitions and the algebra — free to read

From The Real Line › limsup, liminf and subsequential limits

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