A sequence Problem

Algebra Level 3

The sequence a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , a_1,a_2,a_3,\ldots satisfies a n + 2 = 2 a n + 1 + a n , n = 1 , 2 , 3 , . a_{n+2}=\dfrac{2}{a_{n+1}}+a_n , \quad n=1,2,3,\ldots.

with initial values a 1 = 1 , a 2 = 2 a_1=1, a_2=2 .

Find the value of a 100 × a 101 a_{100}\times a_{101} .


You can try my other Sequences And Series problems by clicking here : Part II and here : Part I.


The answer is 200.

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5 solutions

U Z
Feb 11, 2015

a n + 2 a n + 1 a n a n + 1 = 2 a_{n+2}a_{n+1} - a_{n}a_{n+1} = 2

n = 1 99 a n + 2 a n + 1 a n a n + 1 = n = 1 99 2 \displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{99} a_{n+2}a_{n+1} - a_{n}a_{n+1} = \sum_{n=1}^{99} 2

a 3 a 2 a 2 a 1 + a 4 a 3 a 3 a 2 + a 5 a 4 a 4 a 3 + a 101 a 100 a 99 a 100 = 2 × 99 a_{3}a_{2} - a_{2}a_{1} + a_{4}a_{3} - a_{3}a_{2} + a_{5}a_{4} - a_{4}a_{3} + \cdots a_{101}a_{100} - a_{99}a_{100} = 2\times99

a 101 a 100 a 2 a 1 = 2 × 99 a_{101}a_{100} - a_{2}a_{1} = 2\times99

a 101 a 100 2 = 2 × 99 a_{101}a_{100} - 2 = 2\times99

a 101 a 100 = 2 × ( 99 + 1 ) = 200 \boxed{a_{101}a_{100} = 2\times(99 +1) = 200}

Hi, I used the same method too , but since this is tagged in Calculus , do you know of a Calculus method ?(I don't know of any method using Calculus)

Thanks for the same

A Former Brilliant Member - 6 years, 4 months ago

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Series and sequences come under Calculus , but in India it is teach under algebra.

U Z - 6 years, 4 months ago

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Oh, ok . I didn't know that .

A Former Brilliant Member - 6 years, 4 months ago
Chew-Seong Cheong
Sep 13, 2018

It is given that

a n + 2 = 2 a n + 1 + a n Multiply both sides by a n + 1 a n + 2 a n + 1 = a n + 1 a n + 2 Let a n + 1 a n = b n b n + 1 = b n + 2 Summing both sides from k = 1 to n k = 1 n b k + 1 = k = 1 n b k + k = 1 n 2 b n + 1 = b 1 + 2 n a n + 2 a n + 1 = a 2 a 1 + 2 n = 2 + 2 n = 2 ( n + 1 ) a n + 1 a n = 2 n a 101 a 100 = 200 \begin{aligned} a_{n+2} & = \frac 2{a_{n+1}} + a_n & \small \color{#3D99F6} \text{Multiply both sides by }a_{n+1} \\ a_{n+2}a_{n+1} & = a_{n+1}a_n + 2 & \small \color{#3D99F6} \text{Let }a_{n+1}a_n = b_n \\ \implies b_{n+1} & = b_n + 2 & \small \color{#3D99F6} \text{Summing both sides from }k=1 \text{ to }n \\ \sum_{k=1}^n b_{k+1} & = \sum_{k=1}^n b_k + \sum_{k=1}^n 2 \\ b_{n+1} & = b_1 + 2n \\ a_{n+2}a_{n+1} & = a_2a_1 + 2n \\ & = 2+2n \\ & = 2(n+1) \\ \implies a_{n+1}a_n & = 2n \\ a_{101}a_{100} & = \boxed{200} \end{aligned}

Let b n = a n a n + 1 b_{n}=a_{n}\cdot a_{n+1} , then, by multiplying the equation which satisfies a n a_{n} by a n + 1 a_{n+1} and replacing b n b_{n} , we have: b n + 1 = 2 + b n b n = ( n 1 ) 2 + b 1 b_{n+1}=2+b_{n} \Rightarrow b_{n}=(n-1)\cdot 2 +b_{1} As we know b 1 = a 1 a 2 = 1 2 = 2 b_{1}=a_{1}\cdot a_{2}=1\cdot 2=2 , so we can find, by making n = 100 n=100 : a 100 a 101 = b 100 = 99 2 + 2 = 100 2 = 200 a_{100}\cdot a_{101}=b_{100}=99\cdot 2+2=100\cdot 2=200

Piero Sarti
Sep 17, 2018

a n + 2 a n + 1 = 2 + a n + 1 a n a_{n+2}a_{n+1}= 2 + a_{n+1}a_n and set n = 99 n=99

Then continue the pattern and get,

a 100 a 101 = 2 × 99 + a 1 a 2 = 100 × 2 = 200 a_{100}a_{101}= 2\times 99 +a_1a_2 = 100 \times 2 = \boxed{200} .

Edwin Gray
Sep 14, 2018

After several calculations, it became apparent that a 2n x a 2n+ 1 = 4n, so a 100 x a 101 = 200. (n =50). Ed Gray

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