Using Excel Spreadsheet to Understand the Limiting Value of a Sequence Nesan Sriskanda ICTCM 2003 November 2, 2003 Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC 29115 snesan@claflin.edu 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. Introduction In this paper I discuss how the Excel spreadsheet can be used to understand well about the convergence of a sequence and the behavior of functions where independent variable approaches to infinity ( ∞ ). I chose three most interesting sequence problems which are always intricate for students to see the correct answer analytically. The problems discussed are: : (i) 1 1 = ∞ → n n Limit n (ii) e Limit n n n = + ∞ → ) 1 ( 1 (iii) 0 ) ( sin = ∞ → n n n Limit Problem No. 1  1 / 1 = ∞ → n n n Limit Finding the limit of function n 1/n when n approaches to infinity (∞) is analytically very confused for freshmen level students. The complex part for them is to get the concept of an infinite number in the real world. This complex concept of infinity can be clearly explained by Excel techniques as shown in figure 1, and figure 2.