Maths WorkshopMaths problems with full solutions
Exercise 117Calculus › Single-variable calculus › Integration › Riemann integralL1Added 2 Nov 2026

Limits of sums as Riemann sums

#Riemann sums#limits#pi#ln 2

Statement

Compute the limits
A=lim⁡n→∞∑k=1nnn2+k2,B=lim⁡n→∞∑k=1n1n+k.A=\lim_{n\to\infty}\sum_{k=1}^n\frac n{n^2+k^2},\qquad B=\lim_{n\to\infty}\sum_{k=1}^n\frac1{n+k}.

Hint

Factor 1n\frac1n out so that the sum becomes 1n∑f ⁣(kn)\frac1n\sum f\!\left(\frac kn\right) for a continuous function ff.

Show solutionHide solution

Solution

Principle. For ff continuous on [0,1][0,1], the Riemann sums 1n∑k=1nf ⁣(kn)\frac1n\sum_{k=1}^nf\!\left(\frac kn\right) converge to ∫01f\int_0^1f.

AA. Dividing numerator and denominator by n2n^2,
nn2+k2=1n⋅11+(k/n)2.\frac n{n^2+k^2}=\frac1n\cdot\frac1{1+(k/n)^2}.
So A=∫01dx1+x2=arctan⁡1=π4A=\int_0^1\frac{dx}{1+x^2}=\arctan1=\dfrac\pi4.

BB. Similarly 1n+k=1n⋅11+k/n\dfrac1{n+k}=\dfrac1n\cdot\dfrac1{1+k/n}, so
B=∫01dx1+x=ln⁡2.B=\int_0^1\frac{dx}{1+x}=\ln2.

Numerical check. For n=100n=100: the first sum is 0.78290.7829 (close to π4=0.7854\frac\pi4=0.7854) and the second is 0.69070.6907 (close to ln⁡2=0.6931\ln2=0.6931).

Remark. This is the standard way to evaluate limits of sums: spot the 1n\frac1n and the ratio kn\frac kn.