The Fibonacci numbers are defined by F1=F2=1, and Fn=Fn−1+Fn−2 for n≥3. If the number F2002F2003−F2003F2004 is written as a fraction in lowest terms, what is the numerator?
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
Before reducing, the numerator is F20032−F2002F2004. We claim Fn2−Fn−1Fn+1=(−1)n+1, which will immediately imply that the answer is 1 (no reducing required). This claim is straightforward to prove by induction on n : it holds for n=2, and if it holds for some n, then Fn+12−FnFn+2=Fn+1(Fn−1+Fn)−Fn(Fn+Fn+1)=Fn+1Fn−1−Fn2=−(−1)n+1=(−1)n+2
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: Omni-MATH,
licensed Apache-2.0.
Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.