Maths Olympiad Prep

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Problem 1507

National Olympiad, first round
Algebra Difficulty 6.0 Prove it Spring Mathematical Competition · Bulgaria

Let a1,a2,,an,a_{1}, a_{2}, \ldots, a_{n}, \ldots be a geometric progression with a1=32aa_{1}=3-2 a and ratio q=32aa2q=\frac{3-2 a}{a-2}, where a32,2a \neq \frac{3}{2}, 2 is a real number. Set Sn=i=1naiS_{n}=\sum_{i=1}^{n} a_{i}, n1n \geq 1. Prove that if the sequence {Sn}n=1\left\{S_{n}\right\}_{n=1}^{\infty} is convergent and its limit is SS, then S<1S<1.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

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Official solution

Solution:
Since Sn=a11qn1qS_{n}=a_{1} \cdot \frac{1-q^{n}}{1-q}, the sequence {Sn}n=1\left\{S_{n}\right\}_{n=1}^{\infty} converges if and only if q<1|q|<1. Therefore 1<32aa2<1-1<\frac{3-2 a}{a-2}<1, whence a(1,53)\{32}a \in\left(1, \frac{5}{3}\right) \backslash\left\{\frac{3}{2}\right\}. In this case
S=limnSn=a111q=32a132aa2=(32a)(a2)3a5 S=\lim _{n \rightarrow \infty} S_{n}=a_{1} \cdot \frac{1}{1-q}=\frac{3-2 a}{1-\frac{3-2 a}{a-2}}=\frac{(3-2 a)(a-2)}{3 a-5}
and we have to prove that for every a(1,53)\{32}a \in\left(1, \frac{5}{3}\right) \backslash\left\{\frac{3}{2}\right\} the inequality
(32a)(a2)3a5<1 \frac{(3-2 a)(a-2)}{3 a-5}<1
holds. This inequality is equivalent to 2a24a+13a5>0\frac{2 a^{2}-4 a+1}{3 a-5}>0 and since 3a5<03 a-5<0, we have to prove that f(a)=2a24a+1<0f(a)=2 a^{2}-4 a+1<0. This follows from f(1)=1f(1)=-1 and f(53)=19f\left(\frac{5}{3}\right)=-\frac{1}{9}.

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