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PrintMathematica competitions in Croatia
Croatia algebra
Problem
Given the sequence of real numbers , , determine whether there exists a real number such that for all ?
Solution
Note that all members of the sequence are positive real numbers. The recursive relation gives
Adding all these inequalities gives i.e. If there exists a sought number , the left hand side of this inequality is at least , thus i.e. . This inequality holds for every only if , i.e. . We prove that satisfies the conditions of the problem. First, we show inductively that , for all . Statement is true for and . Let us assume and . Then i.e. , and this finishes the inductive step. Next, we prove that , for all . The statement is true for and by inspection. Inequality and the fact imply It remains to show but this inequality is equivalent to which holds for .
Adding all these inequalities gives i.e. If there exists a sought number , the left hand side of this inequality is at least , thus i.e. . This inequality holds for every only if , i.e. . We prove that satisfies the conditions of the problem. First, we show inductively that , for all . Statement is true for and . Let us assume and . Then i.e. , and this finishes the inductive step. Next, we prove that , for all . The statement is true for and by inspection. Inequality and the fact imply It remains to show but this inequality is equivalent to which holds for .
Final answer
A = sqrt(6)/6
Techniques
Recurrence relationsCauchy-SchwarzInduction / smoothing