Solving a Challenging Number Sequence Problem

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Fallen Angel
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Sequence
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a mathematical problem involving a sequence of positive integers, denoted as \( (a_{n})_{n\in \mathbb{N}} \), where the n-th decimal digit \( d_{n}(a_{n}) \) contains only finitely many zeros. The conclusion drawn is that there exist infinitely many positive integers that do not appear in the sequence \( (a_{n})_{n\in \mathbb{N}} \). This result is established through a proof that leverages properties of decimal representation and the density of integers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of decimal representation of integers
  • Familiarity with sequences and series in mathematics
  • Basic knowledge of mathematical proofs and logic
  • Concept of infinite sets and their properties
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of decimal digits in integer sequences
  • Explore proofs involving infinite sets in set theory
  • Learn about sequences with specific digit constraints
  • Investigate the implications of density in number theory
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students studying number theory, and anyone interested in sequences and their properties will benefit from this discussion.

Fallen Angel
Messages
202
Reaction score
0
Hi!

I'm new in the forum and I bring a challenge

Here is the problem:

For a positive integer $$x$$, denote its n-th decimal digit as $$d_{n}(x)$$, with $$d_{n}(x)\in \{0,1,\ldots ,9\}$$ so $$x=\displaystyle\sum_{i=1}^{+\infty}d_{i}(x)10^{i-1}$$.

Let $$(a_{n})_{n\in \Bbb{N}}$$ be a squence such that there are only finitely many zeros in the sequence $$(d_{n}(a_{n}))_{n\in \Bbb{N}}$$.

Prove that there are infinitely many positive integers that do not occur in the sequence $$(a_{n})_{n\in\Bbb{N}}$$.Hope you enjoy it! :p
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Well here you got the solution.

Let $$n_{0}=max\{n\in \mathbb{N} \ : \ (d_{n}(a_{n}))=0$$
Until this point there are just $$n_{0}$$ positive integers that occur in the sequence $$(a_{n})$$.
Then we got that for all $$n > n_{0},\ a_{n}\geq 10^{n-1}$$
Hence , there are $$10^{n-1}-n$$ positive integers that can not occur in the sequence $$(a_{n})$$ till the n-th position.
Taking the limit we got the result.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
3K