Math Problem Statement

Consider the sequence defined by a1 = 2, a2 = 3, and a2k+2 = 2 + ak + ak+1 and a2k+1 = 2 + 2ak for all integers k ⩾ 1. Determine all positive integers n such that an n is an integer.

Solution

The sequence is defined as follows:

  • a1=2a_1 = 2
  • a2=3a_2 = 3
  • For k1k \geq 1, a2k+2=2+ak+ak+1a_{2k+2} = 2 + a_k + a_{k+1} and a2k+1=2+2ak.a_{2k+1} = 2 + 2a_k.

We are tasked with determining all positive integers nn such that ana_n is an integer.

Step 1: Generate the sequence for the first few terms

Let's calculate some terms of the sequence to understand its behavior.

  • a1=2a_1 = 2
  • a2=3a_2 = 3

For k=1k = 1:

  • a3=2+2a1=2+2×2=6a_3 = 2 + 2a_1 = 2 + 2 \times 2 = 6
  • a4=2+a1+a2=2+2+3=7a_4 = 2 + a_1 + a_2 = 2 + 2 + 3 = 7

For k=2k = 2:

  • a5=2+2a2=2+2×3=8a_5 = 2 + 2a_2 = 2 + 2 \times 3 = 8
  • a6=2+a2+a3=2+3+6=11a_6 = 2 + a_2 + a_3 = 2 + 3 + 6 = 11

For k=3k = 3:

  • a7=2+2a3=2+2×6=14a_7 = 2 + 2a_3 = 2 + 2 \times 6 = 14
  • a8=2+a3+a4=2+6+7=15a_8 = 2 + a_3 + a_4 = 2 + 6 + 7 = 15

For k=4k = 4:

  • a9=2+2a4=2+2×7=16a_9 = 2 + 2a_4 = 2 + 2 \times 7 = 16
  • a10=2+a4+a5=2+7+8=17a_{10} = 2 + a_4 + a_5 = 2 + 7 + 8 = 17

Step 2: Identify the integers in the sequence

From the calculated values, we see that a1,a2,a3,a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots are integers. This is not surprising, since the recurrence relations involve integer operations (addition and multiplication by 2), and the starting values are integers.

Thus, all terms of the sequence ana_n are integers for all nn.

Step 3: Conclusion

Since all terms of the sequence ana_n are integers, every positive integer nn makes ana_n an integer.

Therefore, the answer is: All positive integers nn satisfy the condition.


Would you like more details on the sequence behavior or the derivation of this conclusion? Here are some related questions you might find interesting:

  1. How would the sequence behave if the initial conditions were different?
  2. Can we prove this sequence formula by induction?
  3. How could we compute the general form of the sequence term ana_n?
  4. What is the growth rate of this sequence as nn increases?
  5. How does the recurrence relation change if the constants (e.g., 2) were different?

Tip: When working with recurrence relations, always start by calculating the first few terms to get an intuition about the sequence's behavior!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Sequences and Series
Recurrence Relations
Integer Properties

Formulas

a1 = 2
a2 = 3
a2k+2 = 2 + ak + ak+1
a2k+1 = 2 + 2ak

Theorems

Mathematical Induction
Properties of Integer Sequences

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12