Let a1,a2,a3,… be a sequence of real numbers which satisfy the relation an+1=an2+1 Suppose that there exists a positive integer n0 such that a2n0=3an0. Find the value of a46.
Solution
We have an+12−an2=1 for all natural number n. Using a telescopic sum we obtain n0=k=n0∑2n0−1(ak+12−ak2)=a2n02−an02=9an02−an02=8an02. Hence an02=8n0 On the other hand, n0−1=k=1∑n0−1(ak+12−ak2)=an02−a12=8n0−a12, or equivalently a12=88−7n0 Since a12≥0, we deduce that n0=1 and a12=81. Therefore 45=k=1∑45(ak+12−ak2)=a462−a12=a462−81, which leads to a46=4192.
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Source: MathNet,
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