Sequences

I have an interesting sequence whose properties I do not know yet(that is why I'm asking for your help). Define \(a_{1} = 1\) and \(a_{2} = 1\) for this sequence. From then on, \(a_{n}\) will be defined as \(a_{n-2} + a_{n-1}\) if \(n \equiv 3 \mod {4}\), \(a_{n-2} - a_{n-1}\) if \(n \equiv 0 \mod {4}\), \(a_{n-2} \times a_{n-1}\) if \(n \equiv 1 \mod {4}\), and \(a_{n-2} \div a_{n-1}\) if \(n \equiv 2 \mod {4}\). The first few terms of the sequence are \(1, 1, 2, -1, -2, \frac {1}{2}, -\frac {3}{2}, ...\). I haven't found much, but I've hypothesized that similar sequences(mixing up the order of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing) will result in a finite sequence(stopping when a term is undefined) if and only if a 0 appears(the iff is important). Anyone want to find something about this?

Note by Tristan Shin
7 years, 2 months ago

No vote yet
1 vote

  Easy Math Editor

This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.

When posting on Brilliant:

  • Use the emojis to react to an explanation, whether you're congratulating a job well done , or just really confused .
  • Ask specific questions about the challenge or the steps in somebody's explanation. Well-posed questions can add a lot to the discussion, but posting "I don't understand!" doesn't help anyone.
  • Try to contribute something new to the discussion, whether it is an extension, generalization or other idea related to the challenge.
  • Stay on topic — we're all here to learn more about math and science, not to hear about your favorite get-rich-quick scheme or current world events.

MarkdownAppears as
*italics* or _italics_ italics
**bold** or __bold__ bold

- bulleted
- list

  • bulleted
  • list

1. numbered
2. list

  1. numbered
  2. list
Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly
paragraph 1

paragraph 2

paragraph 1

paragraph 2

[example link](https://brilliant.org)example link
> This is a quote
This is a quote
    # I indented these lines
    # 4 spaces, and now they show
    # up as a code block.

    print "hello world"
# I indented these lines
# 4 spaces, and now they show
# up as a code block.

print "hello world"
MathAppears as
Remember to wrap math in \( ... \) or \[ ... \] to ensure proper formatting.
2 \times 3 2×3 2 \times 3
2^{34} 234 2^{34}
a_{i-1} ai1 a_{i-1}
\frac{2}{3} 23 \frac{2}{3}
\sqrt{2} 2 \sqrt{2}
\sum_{i=1}^3 i=13 \sum_{i=1}^3
\sin \theta sinθ \sin \theta
\boxed{123} 123 \boxed{123}

Comments

Well, the sequence starting from 1,0,1,0,\ldots defies your conjecture.

It is a recursive sequence with repeated segment [1,0,1,1,1][1,0,1,-1,-1]

Daniel Liu - 7 years, 1 month ago

Log in to reply

The sequence is defined with a2a_2 as 11, but your sequence shows a2a_2 as 00.

Nanayaranaraknas Vahdam - 7 years, 1 month ago

@Daniel Liu Your sequence has A2 as 0 but it is supposed to be 1

Mardokay Mosazghi - 7 years, 1 month ago

Log in to reply

I don't see why a2a_2 can't be 00. The OP said a1=a2=1a_1=a_2=1, but I can surely change that, can I? Or can I only mix up the definitions for how to find later terms?

Daniel Liu - 7 years, 1 month ago

Log in to reply

@Daniel Liu I meant only definitions for later terms. The first two terms must stay at 1, otherwise there are several contradictions(including yours).

Tristan Shin - 7 years, 1 month ago
×

Problem Loading...

Note Loading...

Set Loading...