The sequence {xn} is defined by x1=5 and xk+1=xk2−3xk+3 for k=1,2,3,…. Prove that xk>32k−1 for any positive integer k.
Solutions — 2
Solution 1
The recurrence relation can be rewritten as xk+1−3=xk(xk−3). By repeating the process, we obtain xk+1−3=xk(xk−3)=xkxk−1(xk−1−3)=⋯=xkxk−1⋯x1(x1−3). Changing the index, this gives xk=10x2⋯xk−1+3. We now prove the assertion by induction. The base cases k=1 and k=2 follow from x1>3 and x2=13>9. For the inductive step, we obtain xk>10x2⋯xk−1>10j=2∏k−132j−1=10×32+22+23+⋯+2k−2=10×32k−1−2>32k−1. Thus, this holds for every positive integer k by induction.
Solution 2
We prove by induction that xk≥32k−1+2 for any k. The base case holds since x1=5. Assuming xk≥32k−1+2 for some k, we have xk+1=xk(xk−3)+3≥(32k−1+2)(32k−1−1)+3>(32k−1)2+2=32k+2. The claim holds by induction. This obviously implies xk>32k−1.
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