Firstly, by induction, one can prove that
an>1,∀n>1
because the function u(x)=2x+1−x−2 is increasing on (1,+∞). It implies that
an+1=3−2anan+2<3,∀n≥1.
Next, we will prove that (an) is an increasing sequence. Considering the function f(x)=3−2x2+x where 1<x<3. We have
f′(x)=2xln4+xln2−1>0,
so f(x) is increasing on (1,3). Moreover a2=23>a1 so (an) is an increasing sequence. Note that (an) is bounded above by 3 so (an) has a finite limit. Let L∈(1,3) be that limit. Letting n tends to infinity, we have L=3−2LL+2. We will prove the equation
x=3−2xx+2(1)
has a unique solution on (1,3). Indeed, consider the function g(x)=3−2xx+2−x where x∈(1,3), we have
g′(x)=2xln4+xln2−1−1=2xln4+xln2−1−2x,
Setting h(x)=ln4+xln2−1−2x, for x∈(1,3) then
h′(x)=ln2(1−2x)<0,∀x∈(1,3),
so h(x) is a decreasing function on (1,3). Thus, h(x)<h(1)=ln8−3<0, or ln4+xln2−1−2x<0 for all x∈(1,3). Thus, the function g(x) is decreasing on (1,3) and the equation g(x)=0 has no more than one solution.
Furthermore, g(2)=0 so x=2 is the unique solution of (1) which means L=2 is the limit of the given sequence. □