Maths Olympiad Prep

Track / Stage 4 / 14 of 340 #274 of 1964

Problem 274

AMC 12 late, AIME early
Algebra Difficulty 4.5 Prove it

Given a sequence {an}\{a_{n}\} where an+1>an>0a_{n+1} \gt a_{n} \gt 0 and an1annan+1an{a}_{n}-\frac{1}{{a}_{n}}<n<{a}_{n}+\frac{1}{{a}_{n}}.
(1)(1) If {an}\{a_{n}\} is an arithmetic sequence, find the sum of its first nn terms.
(2)(2) If there exists m2(mN)m\geqslant 2(m\in N^{*}), such that for any nNn\in N^{*}, amn=mana_{mn}=ma_{n} always holds, prove that {an}\{a_{n}\} is an arithmetic sequence.

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.

Official solution

### Solution:

#### Part (1):

Given that {an}\{a_{n}\} is an arithmetic sequence, we can express ana_{n} as an=an+ba_{n}=an+b. Knowing that an+1>an>0a_{n+1} > a_{n} > 0, it implies a>0a > 0.

From the condition an1ann{a}_{n}-\frac{1}{{a}_{n}}<n, we derive:
an21nan(an+b)21n(an+b)(a21)n2+(2abb)n+b210(1) \begin{align*} {a}_{n}^{2}-1 &< n{a}_{n} \\ \Rightarrow \left(an+b\right)^{2}-1 &< n\left(an+b\right) \\ \Rightarrow (a^{2}-1)n^{2}+\left(2ab-b\right)n+b^{2}-1 &< 0 \quad \text{(1)} \end{align*}

From the condition nan+1ann<{a}_{n}+\frac{1}{{a}_{n}}, we derive:
an2+1nan(an+b)2+1n(an+b)(a21)n2+(2abb)n+b2+10(2) \begin{align*} {a}_{n}^{2}+1 &> n{a}_{n} \\ \Rightarrow \left(an+b\right)^{2}+1 &> n\left(an+b\right) \\ \Rightarrow (a^{2}-1)n^{2}+\left(2ab-b\right)n+b^{2}+1 &> 0 \quad \text{(2)} \end{align*}

For inequalities (1) and (2) to hold for all nNn \in N^{*}, we must have:
{a21=02abb=0 \left\{ \begin{array}{l} {a}^{2}-1=0 \\ 2ab-b=0 \end{array} \right.
Solving this system of equations gives us:
{a=1b=0 \left\{ \begin{array}{l} a=1 \\ b=0 \end{array} \right.
Substituting these values back verifies that the inequalities hold true.

Therefore, we have an=na_{n}=n, and the sum of its first nn terms is:
Sn=(1+n)n2=12n2+12n {S}_{n}=\frac{(1+n)n}{2}=\frac{1}{2}{n}^{2}+\frac{1}{2}n
Encapsulating the final answer, we get:
Sn=12n2+12n \boxed{{S}_{n}=\frac{1}{2}{n}^{2}+\frac{1}{2}n}

#### Part (2):

Given the conditions of the sequence {an}\{a_{n}\} and the existence of m2m \geqslant 2 such that amn=mana_{mn}=ma_{n} for any nNn \in N^{*}, we analyze the implications.

From the given inequalities, we have:
1an(ann)1 -1 < a_{n}(a_{n}-n) < 1
for all nNn \in N^{*}.

Let n=mkqn=m^{k}q where mm, kk, qNq \in N^{*}. Then, we have:
1m2kaq(aqq)1m2k -\frac{1}{{m}^{2k}} < a_{q}(a_{q}-q) < \frac{1}{{m}^{2k}}
for all qNq \in N^{*}.

As k+k \rightarrow +\infty, it implies aqq=0a_{q}-q=0, hence aq=qa_{q}=q for all qNq \in N^{*}.

This leads to aqaq1=1a_{q}-a_{q-1}=1, indicating that the sequence {an}\{a_{n}\} is an arithmetic sequence.

Encapsulating the final conclusion, we get:
The sequence {an} is an arithmetic sequence. \boxed{\text{The sequence } \{a_{n}\} \text{ is an arithmetic sequence.}}

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