Divergent Sequence may be Bounded/Proof 1

Theorem

That is, there exist bounded sequences which are divergent.

Let $\sequence {x_n}$ be the sequence in $\R$ which forms the basis of Grandi's series, defined as:

$x_n = \paren {-1}^n$

It is clear that $\sequence {x_n}$ is bounded: above by $1$ and below by $-1$.

Aiming for a contradiction, suppose $x_n \to l$ as $n \to \infty$.

Let $\epsilon > 0$.

Then $\exists N \in \R: \forall n > N: \size {\paren {-1}^n - l} < \epsilon$.

But there are values of $n > N$ for which $\paren {-1}^n = \pm 1$.

It follows that $\size {1 - l} < \epsilon$ and $\size {-1 - l} < \epsilon$.

$\ds 2$

$=$

$\ds \size {1 - \paren {-1} }$

$\ds $

$\le$

$\ds \size {1 - l} + \size {l - \paren {-1} }$

$\ds $

$<$

$\ds 2 \epsilon$

This is a contradiction whenever $\epsilon < 1$.

Thus $\sequence {x_n}$ has no limit and, while definitely bounded, is unmistakably divergent.

$\blacksquare$