Suppose 0≤x<1 and let an=n(1−x)1−xn for all integers n≥1. Prove that ∣an+1−an∣≤n+11,n=1,2,3,…
Solution
First of all, note that an=n1(1+x+⋯+xn−1), hence an+1−an=n(n+1)n(1+x+⋯+xn)−(n+1)(1+x+⋯+xn−1)=n(n+1)1(nxn−k=0∑n−1xk)=n(n+1)1k=0∑n−1(xn−xk).
Since 0≤x<1, for i≥0 we have 0≤xi≤1, hence 0≤∣xn−xk∣≤1 for k=0,1,…,n−1, and so ∣an+1−an∣=n(n+1)1k=0∑n−1(xn−xk)≤n(n+1)1k=0∑n−1∣xn−xk∣≤n(n+1)n=n+11.
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