Problem:
For which positive integers , does there exist a sequence of real numbers such that
- for all ,
- , and
- .
Solution
Solution:
Note that if works then also works for a positive integer as we can just set for and have be the sequence that worked for .
Consider . We take and and all conditions are satisfied. Thus all works.
Now if , we note and thus so . Contradiction.
If , then wlog and (as flipping the signs won't affect any of the conditions).
Now as , we get that . But if we expand this out we get (as ).
Thus but also note that , thus . Contradiction.
Thus, a sequence only exists for integers .
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