Problem 178
Easy Limits and Functions

Find limlimits_(n→∞)n(dfrac1+i2)^n

Find $\ \lim\limits_{n\to\infty}n\left(\dfrac{1+i}2\right)^n$.

Explanation of Method

Bound the modulus $|r|<1$, then apply the general fact that exponential decay always beats polynomial growth: $n^k|r|^n\to0$ for any fixed $k$ whenever $|r|<1$.

Step 1 · Modulus of the base

$$ r=\frac{1+i}2, \qquad |r|=\frac{\sqrt2}2=\frac1{\sqrt2}\approx0.707<1 $$

Step 2 · Reduce to a real limit

$$ \left|n\left(\frac{1+i}2\right)^n\right|=n|r|^n=\frac n{2^{n/2}} $$

Step 3 · Show $\dfrac n{2^{n/2}}\to0$ (ratio test)

Let $a_n=n\left(\frac1{\sqrt2}\right)^n$. Then:

$$ \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}=\frac{n+1}n\cdot\frac1{\sqrt2}\ \xrightarrow[n\to\infty]{}\ \frac1{\sqrt2}<1 $$

Since the ratio tends to a value strictly below $1$, $a_n\to0$.

Step 4 · Conclude

Since $\left|n\left(\frac{1+i}2\right)^n\right|=a_n\to0$:

$$ \boxed{\lim_{n\to\infty}n\left(\frac{1+i}2\right)^n=0} $$

General principle

For any complex $z$ with $|z|<1$ and any polynomial $p(n)$ (of any fixed degree): $\ p(n)z^n\to0$, because a fixed exponential decay rate always eventually dominates any fixed polynomial growth rate.

Result

$$ \lim_{n\to\infty}n\left(\frac{1+i}2\right)^n=0 $$

Since $\left|\frac{1+i}2\right|=\frac1{\sqrt2}<1$, the geometric decay overwhelms the linear factor $n$, driving the whole product to zero.