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Algebra Difficulty 8.2 Shortlist Find the answer

Determine all positive integers MM such that the sequence a0,a1,a2,a_0, a_1, a_2, \cdots defined by a0=M+12andak+1=akakfork=0,1,2, a_0 = M + \frac{1}{2} \qquad \textrm{and} \qquad a_{k+1} = a_k\lfloor a_k \rfloor \quad \textrm{for} \, k = 0, 1, 2, \cdots contains at least one integer term.

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

Consider the sequence a0,a1,a2, a_0, a_1, a_2, \ldots defined by:

a0=M+12 a_0 = M + \frac{1}{2}

and

ak+1=akakfork=0,1,2, a_{k+1} = a_k \lfloor a_k \rfloor \quad \text{for} \quad k = 0, 1, 2, \ldots

We are tasked with finding all positive integers M M such that at least one term in the sequence is an integer.

### Analysis of the Sequence

The first term of the sequence is given by:

a0=M+12 a_0 = M + \frac{1}{2}

The floor function a0 \lfloor a_0 \rfloor for a0 a_0 is:

a0=M+12=M \lfloor a_0 \rfloor = \lfloor M + \frac{1}{2} \rfloor = M

Thus, the sequence proceeds to:

a1=a0a0=(M+12)×M=M2+M2 a_1 = a_0 \lfloor a_0 \rfloor = \left(M + \frac{1}{2}\right) \times M = M^2 + \frac{M}{2}

Then the floor function of a1 a_1 is:

a1=M2+M2 \lfloor a_1 \rfloor = M^2 + \left\lfloor \frac{M}{2} \right\rfloor

Exploring further terms, we see:

a2=a1a1=(M2+M2)×(M2+M2) a_2 = a_1 \lfloor a_1 \rfloor = \left(M^2 + \frac{M}{2}\right) \times (M^2 + \left\lfloor \frac{M}{2} \right\rfloor)

### Finding Integer Terms

In order for one of these terms ak a_k to be an integer, it must be that:

1. For k=0 k=0 , a0 a_0 itself must be an integer.
2. For k1 k \geq 1 , each subsequent term ak a_k must also be an integer, arising from the multiplication with integer floor values.

For a0 a_0 to be an integer, observe:

M+12Zsince M is an integer, hence a0 is non-integer  M + \frac{1}{2} \notin \mathbb{Z} \quad \text{since \( M \) is an integer, hence \( a_0 \) is non-integer }

For a1 a_1 to become an integer, we need M>1 M > 1 . Note:

- If M=1 M = 1 , then a0=1.5 a_0 = 1.5 and a1=1.5×1=1.5 a_1 = 1.5 \times 1 = 1.5 , which is not integer.
- If M>1 M > 1 , it is possible (though not automatic) that ak a_k becomes an integer in subsequent iterations due to larger multiplicative products. Particularly, M2 M \geq 2 produces a1 a_1 values that may drive a2 a_2 or further ak a_k toward integer status under multiplications.

Thus, the condition for having at least one integer term in the sequence is M>1 M > 1 .

Therefore, the solution is:
M>1 \boxed{M > 1}

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