Define a1=1, and for each n>1 let an=n⋅a⌊2n⌋. Prove that for each n≥12 we have an>n2.
Solution
As an=n⋅a⌊2n⌋, it suffices to show that for each n≥12 we have a⌊2n⌋≥n. By the inequalities n≤2⌊2n⌋+1<3⌊2n⌋ this reduces to proving that am≥3m for each m≥6. By am=m⋅a⌊2m⌋ the latter reduces to proving al≥3 for l≥3. This is true, since al=l⋅a⌊2l⌋≥l.
<table> <thead> <tr><th>n</th><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>3</th><th>4</th><th>5</th><th>6</th><th>7</th><th>8</th><th>9</th><th>10</th><th>11</th><th>12</th><th>13</th><th>14</th><th>15</th></tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr><th>a_n</th><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>8</td><td>10</td><td>18</td><td>21</td><td>64</td><td>72</td><td>100</td><td>110</td><td>216</td><td>234</td><td>294</td><td>315</td></tr> <tr><th>n^2</th><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>16</td><td>25</td><td>36</td><td>49</td><td>64</td><td>81</td><td>100</td><td>121</td><td>144</td><td>169</td><td>196</td><td>225</td></tr> </tbody> </table> Hence for 12≤n<16 the claim is true. For bigger numbers note that for each k≥4 we have a2k=2k⋅2k−1⋯2⋅1=2k+(k−1)+⋯+1=22k(k+1)≥22(k+1). By simple induction we conclude that an increases as n increases. For arbitrary n≥16 pick k≥4 such that 2k≤n<2k+1, giving an≥a2k≥22(k+1)=(2k+1)2>n2.
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