For positive integer n, let fn=[2n2008]+[2n2009]. Prove that there are infinitely many odd numbers and even numbers in the sequence f1,f2,… ([x] represents the biggest integer that does not exceed x.) (Posed by Zuming Feng)
Solution
We use the dyadic representations of 2008 and 2009: 2008=011100.a1a2⋯(2),2009=011100.b1b2⋯(2). First, we prove that there are infinitely many even numbers by contradiction. Suppose that there are only finitely many even numbers in the sequence. Then there exists a positive integer N, and for every positive integer n>N, fn must be odd. We consider n1=N+1, n2=N+2, .... We observe that in dyadic representation fni=101100b1b2⋯bni(2)+101100a1a2⋯ani(2) This number is equal to bni+ani modulo 2. As fni is odd, we have {bni,ani}={0,1}. Hence, 2008+2009=1011001.c1c2⋯cN−1111⋯(2) Therefore, 2008+2009 must be rational, which is impossible, as we know that it is irrational. Hence, our hypothesis must be wrong, which proves the existence of infinitely many even numbers in the sequence.
In a similar way we can prove the existence of infinitely many odd numbers in the sequence. Let gn=[2n2009]−[2n2008], apparently gn and fn have the same parity. Hence, for n>N, gn is even. We observe also that in dyadic representation gni=101100b1b2⋯bni(2)−101100a1a2⋯ani(2) This number is equal to bni−ani modulo 2. As gni is odd, we have bni=ani. Thus, 2009−2008=0.d1d2⋯dN−1000⋯(2) and this would imply the rationality of 2009−2008, which is impossible. Hence, there are infinitely many odd numbers in the sequence.
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