Prove a_n=⌊2^n√2⌋ contains infinitely many composite numbers

In summary, the formula for a<sub>n</sub> is ⌊2^n√2⌋, and the notation ⌊x⌋ represents the floor function. To prove that a<sub>n</sub> contains infinitely many composite numbers, we can use the fact that for any positive integer m, there exists a positive integer k such that 2^k is divisible by m. An example of a composite number in the sequence a<sub>n</sub> is a<sub>3</sub>=11. The fact that √2 is irrational does not impact the proof that a<sub>n</sub> contains infinitely many composite numbers.
  • #1
lfdahl
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Prove, that the sequence:

$a_n = \left\lfloor{2^n\sqrt{2}}\right\rfloor,\;\;\;\;n = 1,2,3,..$- contains infinitely many composite numbers.
 
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  • #2
Suggested solution:
Suppose that the sequence ${a_n}$ contains only finitely many composite numbers, i.e. there exists an $N$ such that for all $n>N$, $a_n$ is odd.

Consider the binary representation of $a_n$ ($n>N$). The last digit of $a_n$ must be $1$, which in turn implies, that the fractional part of binary representation of $\sqrt{2}$ has all its digits equal to $1$ after the $N$´th position. This contradicts the irrationality of $\sqrt{2}$.
 
  • #3
lfdahl said:
Suggested solution:
Suppose that the sequence ${a_n}$ contains only finitely many composite numbers, i.e. there exists an $N$ such that for all $n>N$, $a_n$ is odd.

Consider the binary representation of $a_n$ ($n>N$). The last digit of $a_n$ must be $1$, which in turn implies, that the fractional part of binary representation of $\sqrt{2}$ has all its digits equal to $1$ after the $N$´th position. This contradicts the irrationality of $\sqrt{2}$.

Hats off to you
 
  • #4
kaliprasad said:
Hats off to you

The solution is not mine :eek:
 

1. What is the formula for an?

The formula for an is ⌊2^n√2⌋, where n is a positive integer.

2. What does the notation ⌊x⌋ mean?

The notation ⌊x⌋ represents the floor function, which rounds down a real number x to the nearest integer less than or equal to x.

3. How do you prove that an contains infinitely many composite numbers?

To prove that an contains infinitely many composite numbers, we can use the fact that for any positive integer m, there exists a positive integer k such that 2^k is divisible by m. This means that for any given n, we can find a value of k such that 2^k is divisible by n. Using this, we can show that an is divisible by n for infinitely many values of n, and therefore contains infinitely many composite numbers.

4. Can you provide an example of a composite number in the sequence an?

Yes, for n=3, a3=⌊2^3√2⌋=⌊8√2⌋=11, which is composite.

5. How does the fact that √2 is irrational impact the proof that an contains infinitely many composite numbers?

The fact that √2 is irrational does not impact the proof that an contains infinitely many composite numbers. The proof relies on the fact that for any positive integer m, there exists a positive integer k such that 2^k is divisible by m, which is still true regardless of the irrationality of √2.

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