Find f(1996): f(1)=1996, f(1)+f(2)+\cdots+f(n)=n^2f(n)

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SUMMARY

The problem involves finding the value of f(1996) given the initial condition f(1) = 1996 and the equation f(1) + f(2) + ... + f(n) = n²f(n). By substituting f(1) with k = 1996, the recursive relationship f(n) = (n-1)/(n+1) × f(n-1) is established. This leads to the calculation of f(1996) as (2)/(1997), confirming that f(1996) = 2/1997.

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If $$f(1)=1996$$, $$f(1)+f(2)+\cdots+f(n)=n^2f(n)$$, find $$f(1996)$$.
 
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anemone said:
If $$f(1)=1996$$, $$f(1)+f(2)+\cdots+f(n)=n^2f(n)$$, find $$f(1996)$$.
let f(1)=k=1996
$$f(1)+f(2)+\cdots+f(n-1)=n^2f(n)-f(n)=(n-1)^2f(n-1)$$
$\therefore f(n)=\dfrac{n-1}{n+1}\times f(n-1)$
$ f(1996)=\dfrac {(k-1)(k-2)(k-3)-------(3)(2)(1)}{{(k+1)}(k)(k-1)----(5)(4)(3)}\times f(1)=\dfrac {2}{k+1}$
$=\dfrac {2}{1997}$
 

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