Electronic Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics

Chicago, Illinois, October 30-November 2, 2003

Paper C034

Using Excel Spreadsheet to Understand the Limiting Value of a Sequence

Nesan Sriskanda


Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC 29115
USA
Phone: (803) 535-5073


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ABSTRACT

Problems involving sequences and series are rarely common in science and mathematics subjects. Especially for students to find the limiting value of a sequence, in other words to determine the convergence or divergence of a sequence, is still a confusing part. This confusion can be solved numerically and graphically using the application of Excel spreadsheet techniques. Students could visualize the limiting value of a sequence. Students' understanding about the convergence of a sequence was overwhelming.

Keyword(s): calculus, limits, sequences and series, spreadsheets