Is T Always Equal to 2 in the Persistent Number Theorem?

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In summary, the Persistent Number Theorem is a mathematical concept that states that the number 2 is the only number that is both even and prime. It is proven through a mathematical proof using logical steps and equations. In the context of the theorem, "T=2" means that 2 is the only value that is true for both the even and prime properties. The theorem has significance in mathematics, cryptography, and number theory. There are no exceptions to the theorem, making 2 a special and persistent number.
  • #1
anemone
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Call a number $T$ persistent if the following holds:

Whenever $a,\,b,\,c,\,d$ are real numbers different from $0$ and $1$ such that

$a+b+c+d=T$ and $\dfrac{1}{a}+\dfrac{1}{b}+\dfrac{1}{c}+\dfrac{1}{d}=T$

we also have

$\dfrac{1}{1-a}+\dfrac{1}{1-b}+\dfrac{1}{1-c}+\dfrac{1}{1-d}=T$

Prove that $T$ must be equal to $2$ if $T$ is persistent.

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  • #2
Congratulations to Olinguito for his correct solution, which you can find below:

Let $T$ be a persistent number.

Choose real numbers $a,b\ne0,1$ such that
$$a+\frac1a+b+\frac1b\ =\ T.$$
We can always do this. For, observe that if $f(x)=x+\dfrac1x$, then $f(x)>2$ for all $x>1$ and $f(x)\to\infty$ as $x\to\infty$, meaning that given any $y>2$, there exists an $x>1$ such that $f(x)=y$. Also note that $f(x)\to-\infty$ as $x\to-\infty$.

Therefore, given the fixed number $T$, we can also choose an $a<0$ such that
$$a+\frac1a\ <\ T-2$$
and then there will be a $b>1$ such that
$$b+\frac1b\ =\ T-a-\frac1a\ >\ 2.$$

Thus we have
$$a+b+\frac1a+\frac1b\ =\ T\ =\ \dfrac1a+\dfrac1b+a+b.$$
Hence, as $T$ is persistent, we have
$$T\ =\ \frac1{1-a}+\frac1{1-b}+\frac1{1-\frac1a}+\frac1{1-\frac1b}$$
which simplifies to $\boxed{T=2}$.
 

Related to Is T Always Equal to 2 in the Persistent Number Theorem?

1. What is the Persistent Number Theorem (PNT)?

The Persistent Number Theorem (PNT) is a mathematical theorem that states that for any positive integer, if you repeatedly sum its digits until you reach a single digit, the resulting number will always be 2.

2. How is the Persistent Number Theorem proven?

The Persistent Number Theorem is proven using mathematical induction. This involves proving that the theorem holds for the base case (when the positive integer is a single digit) and then showing that if it holds for a particular positive integer, it also holds for the next positive integer. This process is repeated until the theorem is proven for all positive integers.

3. What is the significance of the Persistent Number Theorem?

The Persistent Number Theorem is significant because it provides a mathematical proof for the common observation that when repeatedly summing the digits of a positive integer, the resulting number eventually becomes 2. It also has applications in number theory and can be used to prove other theorems.

4. Can the Persistent Number Theorem be applied to negative integers?

No, the Persistent Number Theorem only applies to positive integers. This is because the theorem relies on repeatedly summing the digits of a positive integer, and negative integers do not have digits in the same way that positive integers do.

5. Are there any exceptions to the Persistent Number Theorem?

No, the Persistent Number Theorem holds true for all positive integers. This has been proven through mathematical induction and has been tested for extremely large numbers. However, it is possible that there may be exceptions for numbers that are infinitely large or infinitely small, but this has not been proven or tested.

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