2 problems found
The sequence \(u_n\) (\(n= 1, 2, \ldots\)) satisfies the recurrence relation \[ u_{n+2}= \frac{u_{n+1}}{u_n}(ku_n-u_{n+1}) \] where \(k\) is a constant. If \(u_1=a\) and \(u_2=b\,\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are non-zero and \(b \ne ka\,\), prove by induction that \[ u_{2n}=\Big(\frac b a \Big) u_{2n-1} \] \[ u_{2n+1}= c u_{2n} \] for \(n \ge 1\), where \(c\) is a constant to be found in terms of \(k\), \(a\) and \(b\). Hence express \(u_{2n}\) and \(u_{2n-1}\) in terms of \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) and \(n\). Find conditions on \(a\), \(b\) and \(k\) in the three cases:
Suppose that $$3=\frac{2}{ x_1}=x_1+\frac{2}{ x_2} =x_2+\frac{2}{ x_3}=x_3+\frac{2}{ x_4}=\cdots.$$ Guess an expression, in terms of \(n\), for \(x_n\). Then, by induction or otherwise, prove the correctness of your guess.
Solution: \begin{align*} x_1 &= \frac{2}{3} \\ x_n &= \frac{2}{3-x_{n-1}} \\ x_2 &= \frac{2}{3 - \frac23} \\ &= \frac{6}7 \\ x_3 &= \frac{2}{3-\frac67} \\ &= \frac{14}{15} \\ x_4 &= \frac{2}{3 - \frac{14}{15}} \\ &= \frac{30}{31} \end{align*} Guess: \(x_n = \frac{2^{n+1}-2}{2^{n+1}-1}\). Proof: (By induction) (Base case): We have checked several initial cases. (Inductive step): Suppose our formula is true for \(n = k\), then consider: \begin{align*} x_{k+1} &= \frac{2}{3 - x_{k}} \\ &= \frac{2}{3 - \frac{2^{k+1}-2}{2^{k+1}-1}}\tag{assumption} \\ &= \frac{2\cdot(2^{k+1}-1)}{3 \cdot(2^{k+1}-1) - (2^{k+1}-2) } \\ &= \frac{2^{k+2}-2}{2\cdot 2^{k+1} - 3 + 2 } \\ &= \frac{2^{k+2}-2}{ 2^{k+2} - 1 } \\ \end{align*} Therefore, if our formula is true for \(n = k\) it is true for \(n = k+1\). Therefore by the principle of mathematical induction it is true for \(n \geq 1, n \in \mathbb{Z}\)