I need to prove that the sequence $a_n=1+\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^2}+\cdots+\frac{1}{n^2}$ converges. I do not have to find the limit. I have tried to prove it by proving that the sequence is monotone and bounded, but I am having some trouble:
Monotonic:
The sequence seems to be monotone and increasing. This can be proved by induction: Claim that $a_n\leq a_{n+1}$ $$a_1=1\leq 1+\frac{1}{2^2}=a_2$$
Need to show that $a_{n+1}\leq a_{n+2}$ $$a_{n+1}=1+\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^2}+\cdots+\frac{1}{n^2}+\frac{1}{(n+1)^2}\leq 1+\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^2}+\cdots+\frac{1}{n^2}+\frac{1}{(n+1)^2}+\frac{1}{(n+2)^2}=a_{n+2}$$ Thus the sequence is monotone and increasing.
Boundedness:
Since the sequence is increasing it is bounded below by $a_1=1$. Upper bound is where I am having trouble. All the examples I have dealt with in class have to do with decreasing functions, but I don't know what my thinking process should be to find an upper bound.
Can anyone enlighten me as to how I should approach this, and can anyone confirm my work thus far? Also, although I prove this using monotonicity and boundedness, could I have approached this by showing the sequence was a Cauchy sequence?
Thanks so much in advance!