The sequence 5,9,49,2209,… is defined by a1=5 and an=a1a2⋯an−1+4 for n>1. Prove that an is a perfect square for n≥2.
Solution
Solution:
This is clear for n=2. We use the relation an−1=a1a2⋯an−2+4a1a2⋯an−2=an−1−4 for n≥3 to transform an: an=a1a2⋯an−2an−1+4=(an−1−4)an−1+4=an−12−4an−1+4=(an−1−2)2. This is clearly the square of an integer.
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