Maths Olympiad Prep

Library / /469 of 520

Algebra Difficulty 4.6 AIME Prove it

Let {an}\{a_{n}\} be a sequence with the sum of its first nn terms denoted as SnS_{n}. It is known that Sn+2+3Sn=4Sn+12anS_{n+2}+3S_{n}=4S_{n+1}-2a_{n}, a1=1a_{1}=1, a2=3a_{2}=3.
(1)(1) Prove that the sequence {an+12an}\{a_{n+1}-2a_{n}\} is an arithmetic sequence.
(2)(2) Let (an+1)bn=n+2n2+n({a}_{n}+1){b}_{n}=\frac{n+2}{{n}^{2}+n}, TnT_{n} be the sum of the first nn terms of the sequence {bn}\{b_{n}\}. Find TnT_{n}.

Solution

### Solution:

#### Part (1): Proving the sequence {an+12an}\{a_{n+1}-2a_{n}\} is an arithmetic sequence

Given Sn+2+3Sn=4Sn+12anS_{n+2}+3S_{n}=4S_{n+1}-2a_{n}, and initial values a1=1a_{1}=1, a2=3a_{2}=3, we proceed as follows:

1. We start by expressing Sn+2Sn+1S_{n+2}-S_{n+1} in terms of Sn+1SnS_{n+1}-S_{n} and ana_{n}:
Sn+2Sn+1=3(Sn+1Sn)2an S_{n+2}-S_{n+1}=3(S_{n+1}-S_{n})-2a_{n}
This equation essentially gives us the difference between consecutive terms of the sequence in terms of the previous terms.

2. Since Sn+2Sn+1=an+2S_{n+2}-S_{n+1}=a_{n+2} and Sn+1Sn=an+1S_{n+1}-S_{n}=a_{n+1}, we can rewrite the equation as:
an+2=3an+12an a_{n+2}=3a_{n+1}-2a_{n}
This gives us a recursive formula for the sequence.

3. To prove {an+12an}\{a_{n+1}-2a_{n}\} is an arithmetic sequence, we examine the difference between consecutive terms:
(an+22an+1)(an+12an)=0 (a_{n+2}-2a_{n+1})-(a_{n+1}-2a_{n})=0
This shows that the difference between consecutive terms of {an+12an}\{a_{n+1}-2a_{n}\} is constant, hence it is an arithmetic sequence.

The sequence {an+12an} is an arithmetic sequence.\boxed{\text{The sequence } \{a_{n+1}-2a_{n}\} \text{ is an arithmetic sequence.}}

#### Part (2): Finding TnT_{n}, the sum of the first nn terms of the sequence {bn}\{b_{n}\}

1. From part (1), we know an+12an=1a_{n+1}-2a_{n}=1, leading to an+1=2an+1a_{n+1}=2a_{n}+1.

2. This recursive formula can be solved to find ana_{n}:
an+1+1=2(an+1)an+1=2n a_{n+1}+1=2(a_{n}+1) \Rightarrow a_{n}+1=2^{n}
This gives us an explicit formula for ana_{n} in terms of nn.

3. Substituting an+1=2na_{n}+1=2^{n} into the given formula for bnb_{n}:
bn=n+2(n2+n)2n=2[1n2n1(n+1)2n+1] b_{n}=\frac{n+2}{(n^{2}+n)2^{n}}=2\left[\frac{1}{n2^{n}}-\frac{1}{(n+1)2^{n+1}}\right]
This simplification reveals bnb_{n} as a telescoping series.

4. The sum TnT_{n} can then be found by summing the series:
Tn=2[11211222++1n2n1(n+1)2n+1]=11(n+1)2n T_{n}=2\left[\frac{1}{1\cdot2^{1}}-\frac{1}{2\cdot2^{2}}+\cdots+\frac{1}{n\cdot2^{n}}-\frac{1}{(n+1)\cdot2^{n+1}}\right]=1-\frac{1}{(n+1)\cdot2^{n}}
This final step utilizes the telescoping nature of the series, where most terms cancel out, leaving only the first and the last.

Tn=11(n+1)2n\boxed{T_{n}=1-\frac{1}{(n+1)\cdot2^{n}}}

Want a route through all this instead of an archive? The track puts 2,000 problems in a working order, from AMC 10 level to the IMO shortlist.

Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.