Combinatorics back-substitution Question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding closed formulas for recurrence relations in combinatorics, specifically focusing on two problems: one involving a sequence defined by a recurrence relation and another concerning a stock market indicator's change over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore back-substitution methods for deriving closed formulas from recurrence relations, questioning the correctness of their approaches and seeking clarification on patterns. There is also an inquiry into translating a verbal description of a recurrence relation into mathematical terms.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided initial attempts at deriving closed formulas and translating the recurrence relation, while others are questioning the validity of these approaches. There is a lack of consensus on the correctness of the proposed solutions, and further exploration is ongoing.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the amount of direct assistance they can receive. There is also a focus on ensuring that the mathematical expressions are accurately represented without oversimplification.

Askhwhelp
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1) an = an-1 + 2n with a0 = 2
The question is Use back-substitution to find a closed formula for the recurrence relations.
I have an-4 + 2(n-3)+2(n-2)+2(n-1)+2n
Then I have a1 + ... +2(n-5)+2(n-4)+2(n-3)+2(n-2)+2(n-1)+2n
First of all, is my way right? If so, could you please help me find the recurrence relations?
If no, could you tell I have done wrong and point me to the right direction?

2) Find and solve a recurrence relation for pn the value of a stock market indicator that obeys the rule that the change this year from the previous year (that is, pn - pn-1) equals twice last year's
change. Let p0 = 1; p1 = 4.
I have a trouble to translate " the rule that the change this year from the previous year (that is, pn - pn-1) equals twice last year's" into recurrence relation. Can someone please help?
 
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Askhwhelp said:
1) an = an-1 + 2n with a0 = 2
The question is Use back-substitution to find a closed formula for the recurrence relations.
I have an-4 + 2(n-3)+2(n-2)+2(n-1)+2n
Then I have a1 + ... +2(n-5)+2(n-4)+2(n-3)+2(n-2)+2(n-1)+2n
First of all, is my way right? If so, could you please help me find the recurrence relations?
If no, could you tell I have done wrong and point me to the right direction?

I presume you mean ##a_n = a_{n-1} +2n## with ##a_0=2##. I would write out the first few, taking care not to simplify, which might hide any patterns:

##a_1 = 2 + 2\cdot 1##
##a_2 = 2 + 2\cdot 1 + 2\cdot 2##
##a_3 = 2 + 2\cdot 1 + 2\cdot 2 + 2\cdot 3##

Do you see any patterns or useful expressions you can use to get a nice closed formula for ##a_n##?
 
The answer should be 2+n+n^2?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Askhwhelp said:
2) Find and solve a recurrence relation for pn the value of a stock market indicator that obeys the rule that the change this year from the previous year (that is, pn - pn-1) equals twice last year's
change. Let p0 = 1; p1 = 4.
I have a trouble to translate " the rule that the change this year from the previous year (that is, pn - pn-1) equals twice last year's" into recurrence relation. Can someone please help?

Sounds to me like: (p_2-p_1)=2(p_1-p_0) so, p_n-p_{n-1}=2(p_{n-1}-p_{n-2}).
 
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Askhwhelp said:
The answer should be 2+n+n^2?

Thanks

Can't you check it for yourself?
 

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