maths-with-python/breakpoints.py at master · IanHawke/maths-with-python · GitHub

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def test_sequence(N):
    """
    Compute the infinite sum of 2^{-n} starting from n = 0, truncating
    at n = N, returning the value of 2^{-n} and the truncated sum.

    Parameters
    ----------

    N : int
        Positive integer, giving the number of terms in the sum

    Returns
    -------

    limit : float
        The value of 2^{-N}
    partial_sum : float
        The value of the truncated sum

    Notes
    -----

    The limiting value should be zero, and the value of the sum should
    converge to 2.
    """

    # Start sum from zero, so give zeroth term
    limit = 1.0
    partial_sum = 1.0

    # At each step, increment sum and change summand
    for n in range(1, N+1):
        partial_sum += limit
        limit /= 2.0

    return limit, partial_sum

if __name__ == '__main__':
    print(test_sequence(50))