Help with contractive sequence proof [Archive]

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Ed Quanta

Oct24-04, 01:08 PM

Can someone help me prove that the following sequence is contractive?

Let a1= 1 and an+1=1/5(an)^2 - 1

I understand the definition of a contractive sequence, but I am not sure how to formally prove this,

HallsofIvy

Oct24-04, 01:16 PM

Okay, what is the definition of a "contractive sequence"? I know the definition of a "contractive mapping" but I don't recall seeing it applied to a sequence!