Finding limit of the Fibonacci sequence

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the limit of the Fibonacci sequence, specifically examining the convergence of the ratio of consecutive terms in the sequence. Participants are exploring the implications of certain mathematical expressions and definitions related to limits and sequences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the ratios of Fibonacci sequence terms and their limits, questioning why certain expressions lead to convergence. There is a focus on the implications of shifting indices in limits and the validity of certain steps in the reasoning process.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning the clarity of the problem statement. Some participants suggest that certain parts of the problem may be trivial or disconnected, while others express confusion and seek further clarification. There is no explicit consensus, but various interpretations and approaches are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the problem may lack sufficient explanation or context, leading to confusion about the tutorial question's intent. There are references to specific parts of the problem that may be perceived as trivial or unrelated to the main inquiry.

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Homework Statement
I am trying to understand whether part (c) of the problem below is wrong. I have also provided my working and the solutions.
Relevant Equations
Sequence notation ##\{a_n\}##
For this problem,
1693109161637.png

My working is

##\{\frac{a_{n + 2}}{a_{n+1}}\} = \{1 + \frac{a_n}{a_{n +1}}\}## using part (b)
Then

##\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n = \lim_{n \to \infty} (1 + \frac{a_n}{a_{n +1}})## which should equal ##L##.

However, does someone please know why it does this cause the sequence to converge to ##L##. The solution does not explain anything (just simply states the definition):
1693127774509.png


Any help greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!
 
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The limit, n, in
##
\def\brack{\overwithdelims[]}

\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} {\log {a_{n+2}} \brack \log {a_{n+1}}}
##
is a dummy index. We can replace ##n+1## with ##m## and so also ##n+2 = m+1##. Then it becomes
##
\def\brack{\overwithdelims[]}

\lim_{m\rightarrow \infty} {\log {a_{m+1}} \brack \log {a_{m}}}
##
 
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ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: I am trying to understand whether part (c) of the problem below is wrong. I have also provided my working and the solutions.
Relevant Equations: Sequence notation ##\{a_n\}##

For this problem,
View attachment 331096
My working is

##\{\frac{a_{n + 2}}{a_{n+1}}\} = \{1 + \frac{a_n}{a_{n +1}}\}## using part (b)
Then

##\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n = \lim_{n \to \infty} (1 + \frac{a_n}{a_{n +1}})## which should equal ##L##.

However, does someone please know why it does this cause the sequence to converge to ##L##. The solution does not explain anything (just simply states the definition):
View attachment 331100

Any help greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!
I am not sure what you are asking, partly because the question is bizarre.
Part c, as @FactChecker notes, is a somewhat trivial and general result unconnected with parts a and b.
I would have written the question as "using the trivial fact that ##\lim_{n \to \infty}(\frac{a_{n + 1}}{a_{n+2}}) = \lim_{n \to \infty} ( \frac{a_n}{a_{n +1}})##, show that ##L=1+1/L##". Or is that part d?
 
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FactChecker said:
The limit, n, in
##
\def\brack{\overwithdelims[]}

\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} {\log {a_{n+2}} \brack \log {a_{n+1}}}
##
is a dummy index. We can replace ##n+1## with ##m## and so also ##n+2 = m+1##. Then it becomes
##
\def\brack{\overwithdelims[]}

\lim_{m\rightarrow \infty} {\log {a_{m+1}} \brack \log {a_{m}}}
##
haruspex said:
I am not sure what you are asking, partly because the question is bizarre.
Part c, as @FactChecker notes, is a somewhat trivial and general result unconnected with parts a and b.
I would have written the question as "using the trivial fact that ##\lim_{n \to \infty}(\frac{a_{n + 1}}{a_{n+2}}) = \lim_{n \to \infty} ( \frac{a_n}{a_{n +1}})##, show that ##L=1+1/L##". Or is that part d?
Thank you for your replies @FactChecker and @haruspex !

Yeah I am still confused by this problem. I might have a chat to the professor who made since he might have idea what the tutorial question was trying to ask. Part d is:
1693202663634.png


Many thanks!
 
ChiralSuperfields said:
Thank you for your replies @FactChecker and @haruspex !

Yeah I am still confused by this problem. I might have a chat to the professor who made since he might have idea what the tutorial question was trying to ask. Part d is:
View attachment 331120

Many thanks!
I would say my proposed version of part c is the logical step towards part d.
 
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haruspex said:
I would say my proposed version of part c is the logical step towards part d.
Thank you for your help @haruspex! I think you are right.
 
You may also use the fact that if the sequence converges to L, all values for n large-enough will be as close to L as you wish.
 
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ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: I am trying to understand whether part (c) of the problem below is wrong. I have also provided my working and the solutions.
Relevant Equations: Sequence notation ##\{a_n\}##

For this problem,
View attachment 331096
My working is

##\{\frac{a_{n + 2}}{a_{n+1}}\} = \{1 + \frac{a_n}{a_{n +1}}\}## using part (b)
Then

##\lim_{n \to \infty} b_n = \lim_{n \to \infty} (1 + \frac{a_n}{a_{n +1}})## which should equal ##L##.

However, does someone please know why it does this cause the sequence to converge to ##L##. The solution does not explain anything (just simply states the definition):
View attachment 331100

Any help greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!
c) Is just saying that if ##\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n = L## then ##\lim_{n \to \infty} a_{n+1} = L##.
This is a true statement, and in fact true for every fixed-length shift (positive & negative).
The proof idea / sketch would be notice that if for ##n > N## we have ##|a_n - L| < \delta##, then for ##n > N## we must trivially have ##|a_{n+1} - L| < \delta##, as ##n+1>N##.

There's no need for fancy arguments.
 
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ChiralSuperfields said:
Thank you for your replies @FactChecker and @haruspex !

Yeah I am still confused by this problem. I might have a chat to the professor who made since he might have idea what the tutorial question was trying to ask. Part d is:
View attachment 331120

Many thanks!
Suppose we have proved convergence of the limit ##\lim_{n\to \infty} {a_{n+1} \over a_n}## (I'm not sure if that was proven beforehand? and I'm also too lazy to do a proof of convergence if I don't know if it has).
Even if you don't know what this limit is, but call it ##L## for now.
You can rewrite the recurrence relation as ##{a_{n+2} \over a_{n+1}} = 1 + {a_n \over a_{n+1}}##.
We can apply the limit on both sides, notice by c) the limit of LHS is just ##L##
The probably known laws of limits (though mention me if you don't know) tell you:
##\lim_{n \to \infty} 1 + {a_n \over a_{n+1}} = 1 + 1 /\left(\lim_{n \to \infty} {a_{n+1} \over a_n}\right) = 1+ {1 \over L}##
Finally you arrive at ##L = 1 + {1 \over L}##, and so ##L^2 - L - 1 = 0##.
Solving this leads to two solutions, those being:
##L \in \left\{ {1-\sqrt{5} \over 2}, {1 + \sqrt{5} \over 2}\right\}##
The one with the ##-## is negative, but the terms of the fibonacci sequence are always positive (can you prove / convince yourself why?) so the limit must be ##{1 + \sqrt{5} \over 2}##, ending the exercise.
I think this highlights the ideas of a proof, again if you have any question feel free to mention me.
 
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