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Re: Easy question: Infinite Series, Infinite Sequences

• To: mathgroup@smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg10386] Re: [mg10339] Easy question: Infinite Series, Infinite Sequences
• From: seanross@worldnet.att.net
• Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 04:10:17 -0500
• References: <199801090441.XAA18896@smc.vnet.net.>

Brandon Burt wrote:
> 
> Hello, Mathematica users. I purchased my first version of Mathematica
> (3.0.1) today and I am so impressed with it! Calculates pi to 1,000
> decimal places instantly, does symbolic manipulations automatically ...
> how have I ever lived without it?
> 
> Now I've got to learn to use the durned thing. The online system is
> great and I'm learning how to use the front-end interface. I am
> studying infinite series/sequences and I quickly learned how to find
> the limit of a converging infinite sequence, as well as the sum of a
> converging infinite series. I haven't been able to find a command which
> outputs a list of the first n terms of some arbitrary sequence,
> however. For instance, I am looking for something like:
> 
> (input)    ListSequence[1/2^k, {k, 0, 5}] (output)    {1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8,
> 1/16}
> 
> Is this a function I will have to create myself, or have I just not
> looked hard enough? Also, what advice do you salty oldtimers have for a
> pink-cheeked newbie?
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Brandon Burt

You want the Series command.  You might also check out section 3.6 in
the mathematica book.  
Mathematica is a huge language.  It will take some time before you are
familiar with most of what it contains.  The only advice I could offer
is to purchase a hard copy of the mathematica book and Guide to
Standard Add-On Packages and put them on your bed stand and use them to
fall asleep at night while you browse the pages.  This is hard to do
with the on-line version.
-- 
Remove the _nospam_ in the return address to respond.

• References:
  • Easy question: Infinite Series, Infinite Sequences
    • From: "Brandon Burt" <Brandon.Burt@m.cc.utah.edu>