Inspired By Garrett Clarke

Algebra Level 5

a n + 1 = a n a n 2 \large{{ a }_{ n+1 }={ a }_{ n }-{\left\lfloor \sqrt { { a }_{ n } } \right\rfloor}}^{2}

Let there be a sequence for n 1 n \ge 1 . For n k n \ge k , the value of a n a_{n} will be 0 0 for some positive integer k k . If k = 9 k=9 find a 1 a_{1} .

Inspiration


The answer is 13053767.

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1 solution

Department 8
Sep 30, 2015

We are given a 9 = 0 a_{9}=0 . It is really easy to find a 8 = 1 , a 7 = 2 , a 6 = 3 a_{8}=1, a_{7}=2, a_{6}=3 . But from now I would suggest you to make some observations. If you are searching for any n n which is decreasing, Then note that for some positive integer p p . We have x > a n + 1 x>a_{n+1} . where x x is the integers between p 2 p^{2} and ( p + 1 ) 2 (p+1)^{2} and mathematically representing 2 p > n 2p > n .

Now substitute the value of n = 5 n=5 .

2 p > 3 p > 1.5 L e t p = 2 2p>3\\ p>1.5\\ Let \quad p=2

This means that a 5 a_{5} lies between 2 2 2^{2} and 3 2 3^{2} . Also 3 2 2 2 = 5 3^{2}-2^{2}=5 , according to the sequence equation we see a 6 a_{6} should be the difference of a 5 a 5 2 { a }_{ 5 }-{\left\lfloor \sqrt { { a }_{ 5 } } \right\rfloor }^{2} . This gives a 5 = 7 = 3 2 2 = ( p + 1 ) 2 2 a_{5}=7=3^{2}-2=(p+1)^{2}-2 .

By similar method of substitution you will get a 1 = 13053767 a_{1}=13053767 .

Thanks for the post!

Garrett Clarke - 5 years, 8 months ago

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