An infinite sequence x1,x2,… has x1=1, and for any positive integer k, x2k=−xk,x2k−1=(−1)k+1xk. Prove that for any positive integer n, x1+x2+⋯+xn≥0.
Solution
Define Sn=∑i=1nxi。First observe that x4k−3=−x4k−2=x2k−1 x4k−1=x4k=−x2k=xk We prove by mathematical induction on k that for any i≤4k we have Si≥0. When k=1, x1=−x2=x3=x4=1, and the statement clearly holds. Suppose it is known that for any i≤4k we have Si≥0, then S4k+2=S4k+x4k+1+x4k+2=S4k≥0 S4k+4=i=1∑k+1((x4k−3+x4k−2)+(x4k−1+x4k))=i=1∑k+1(0+2xi)=2Sk+1≥0 S4k+3=2S4k+2+S4k+4≥0 We are only left with proving S4k+1≥0. When k is even, since x4k+1=x2k+1=xk+1, we have S4k+1=S4k+x4k+1=2Sk+xk+1=Sk+Sk+1≥0. When k is odd, since Sk≥0 and Sk≡i=1∑kxi≡i=1∑k1≡k(mod2), we obtain Sk≥1. Thus S4k+1=2Sk+xk+1≥2−1≥0. Therefore, by mathematical induction we know that for any positive integer i, Si≥0 holds, which completes the proof!
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