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Austria 2019 algebra
Problem
We consider the sequences and which are defined by and and by for . Decide whether there are infinitely many integers which occur in both sequences.
Solution
Answer. Yes.
Sequence starts with values , , , , , . Sequence starts with values , , , , , , , . We therefore conjecture that holds for . Shifting the recurrence yields for . Multiplying these recurrences by , and , respectively, and taking the sum yields and thus for .
Shifting the recurrence of yields for . Multiplying these recurrences by , , , and , respectively, and taking the sum yields and thus for . We see that the subsequences and have the same initial values and and fulfil the same recurrence. This implies that for all . From the given recurrence, it is obvious that the sequence is strictly increasing. Thus we also get infinitely many values which occur in both sequences.
Sequence starts with values , , , , , . Sequence starts with values , , , , , , , . We therefore conjecture that holds for . Shifting the recurrence yields for . Multiplying these recurrences by , and , respectively, and taking the sum yields and thus for .
Shifting the recurrence of yields for . Multiplying these recurrences by , , , and , respectively, and taking the sum yields and thus for . We see that the subsequences and have the same initial values and and fulfil the same recurrence. This implies that for all . From the given recurrence, it is obvious that the sequence is strictly increasing. Thus we also get infinitely many values which occur in both sequences.
Final answer
Yes
Techniques
Recurrence relations