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smc

number theory senior

Problem

Let be a sequence of numbers, where each is either or . For each positive integer , define Suppose for all . What is the value of the sum
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
In binary numbers, we have It follows that We obtain by subtracting the equations: We work from right to left: \begin{alignat}{6} x_0=x_1=x_2=1 \quad &\implies \quad &x_3 &= 0& \\ \quad &\implies \quad &x_4 &= 1& \\ \quad &\implies \quad &x_5 &= 1& \\ \quad &\implies \quad &x_6 &= 0& \\ \quad &\implies \quad &x_7 &= 1& \\ \quad &\implies \quad &x_8 &= 1& \\ \quad &\quad \vdots & & & \end{alignat} For all we conclude that if and only if if and only if Finally, we get from which
Final answer
A