What is the general term for integer sequences satisfying a specific condition?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around integer sequences defined by a specific recursive condition. Participants explore the formulation of a general term for these sequences, which involves mathematical reasoning and induction. The focus is on understanding the properties and behavior of the sequences as defined by the given recurrence relation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Participants define the sequence $\{a_n\}$ with the recurrence relation $a_n=a_{n-1}+\left\lfloor\dfrac{n^2-2n+2-a_{n-1}}{n}\right\rfloor$ for $n=1,2,...$
  • There is a question regarding the necessity of an initial term $a_0$, with some arguing that it is not important for the sequence's definition.
  • One participant proposes a general term $a_n = 1 + \left\lfloor\dfrac{(n-1)^2}3\right\rfloor$ and suggests using induction to prove this, detailing the steps involved in the inductive proof.
  • Another participant presents similar formulations for $a_n$, including $a_n=1+\left\lceil\dfrac{n(n-2)}{3}\right\rceil$ and $a_n=1+(2n-2)\left\lfloor\dfrac{n}{3}\right\rfloor-3\left\lfloor\dfrac{n}{3}\right\rfloor^2$.
  • There is a claim that $a_n-a_{n-1}=\left\lfloor\dfrac{2(n-1)}{3}\right\rfloor$, which is suggested to be shown by induction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of the initial term $a_0$. While some participants propose specific general terms for the sequence, there is no consensus on a single formulation or approach, indicating multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various mathematical expressions and proofs that rely on specific assumptions about the properties of the sequences. The validity of the proposed general terms and the inductive steps may depend on these assumptions, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.

hxthanh
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Define $\{a_n\}$ is integer sequences (all term are integers) satisfy condition

$a_n=a_{n-1}+\left\lfloor\dfrac{n^2-2n+2-a_{n-1}}{n}\right\rfloor $ for $n=1,2,...$

*note: $\left\lfloor x\right\rfloor$ is a greatest integer number less than or equal $x$
Find general term of sequences.
 
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hxthanh said:
Define $\{a_n\}$ is integer sequences (all term are integers) satisfy condition

$a_n=a_{n-1}+\left\lfloor\dfrac{n^2-2n+2-a_{n-1}}{n}\right\rfloor $ for $n=1,2,...$

*note: $\left\lfloor x\right\rfloor$ is a greatest integer number less than or equal $x$
Find general term of sequences.

is there an initial term ? a_0
 
Amer said:
is there an initial term ? a_0

$a_0$ is'nt importan!
because $a_1=a_0+\left\lfloor\dfrac{1^2-2.1+2-a_0}{1}\right\rfloor=1$
 
hxthanh said:
Define $\{a_n\}$ is integer sequences (all term are integers) satisfy condition

$a_n=a_{n-1}+\left\lfloor\dfrac{n^2-2n+2-a_{n-1}}{n}\right\rfloor $ for $n=1,2,...$

*note: $\left\lfloor x\right\rfloor$ is a greatest integer number less than or equal $x$
Find general term of sequences.
[sp]$a_n = 1 + \left\lfloor\dfrac{(n-1)^2}3\right\rfloor.$ To prove that, use induction, but by establishing three steps at a time rather than the usual one step.

Before starting the proof, notice that $a_n = \left\lfloor\dfrac{n^2-2n+2-a_{n-1} + na_{n-1}}{n}\right\rfloor = \left\lfloor\dfrac{(n-1)(a_{n-1} + n-1) +1}{n}\right\rfloor$. Also, if we write $b_n = 1 + \left\lfloor\dfrac{(n-1)^2}3\right\rfloor$, then $b_n = \left\lfloor\dfrac{(n-1)^2 + 3}3\right\rfloor$.

The inductive hypothesis is that if $n=3k+1$ then $a_{3k+1} = b_{3k+1} = 3k^2+1$, and that furthermore this is still true if the floor signs are omitted. In other words, if $n=3k+1$ then the fractions in the expressions for $a_n$ and $b_n$ are integers, so there is no need to take their fractional parts. This is true for $k=0$.

That hypothesis implies that $$a_{n+1} = a_{3k+2} = \left\lfloor\dfrac{(3k+1)(3k^2+3k+2) +1}{3k+2}\right\rfloor = \left\lfloor\dfrac{9k^3 + 12k^2+9k+3}{3k+2}\right\rfloor = \left\lfloor 3k^2 + 2k + 1 + \tfrac{2k +1}{3k+2}\right\rfloor = 3k^2 + 2k + 1.$$ Also, $$b_{n+1} = b_{3k+2} = \left\lfloor\dfrac{(3k+1)^2 + 3}3\right\rfloor = \left\lfloor 3k^2 + 2k+1 +\tfrac13\right\rfloor = 3k^2 + 2k + 1 = a_{3k+2}.$$

This in turn implies that $$a_{n+2} = a_{3k+3} = \left\lfloor\dfrac{(3k+2)(3k^2+5k+3) +1}{3k+3}\right\rfloor = \left\lfloor\dfrac{9k^3 + 21k^2+19k+7}{3k+3}\right\rfloor = \left\lfloor 3k^2 + 4k + 2 + \tfrac{k +1}{3k+3}\right\rfloor = 3k^2 + 4k + 2.$$ Also, $$b_{n+2} = b_{3k+3} = \left\lfloor\dfrac{(3k+2)^2 + 3}3\right\rfloor = \left\lfloor 3k^2 + 4k+2 +\tfrac13\right\rfloor = 3k^2 + 4k + 2 = a_{3k+3}.$$
This in turn implies that $$a_{n+3} = a_{3k+4} = \left\lfloor\dfrac{(3k+3)(3k^2+7k+5) +1}{3k+4}\right\rfloor = \left\lfloor\dfrac{9k^3 + 30k^2+36k+16}{3k+4}\right\rfloor = 3k^2 + 66k + 4.$$ Also, $$b_{n+3} = b_{3k+4} = \left\lfloor\dfrac{(3k+3)^2 + 3}3\right\rfloor = 3k^2 + 6k + 4 = a_{3k+4}.$$ Notice that the fractions for $a_{n+3}$ and $b_{n+3}$ both had zero remainder on division, and therefore gave integer results without having to take the integer part. Notice also that $3k^2 + 6k + 4 = 3(k+1)^2 + 1$, which completes the inductive step.[/sp]
 
Opalg said:
$a_n = 1 + \left\lfloor\dfrac{(n-1)^2}3\right\rfloor.$
...
very nice solution!

Some similar results
[sp]
$a_n=1+\left\lceil\dfrac{n(n-2)}{3}\right\rceil$

$a_n=1+(2n-2)\left\lfloor\dfrac{n}{3}\right\rfloor-3\left\lfloor\dfrac{n}{3}\right\rfloor^2$

Also, by induction show that $a_n-a_{n-1}=\left\lfloor\dfrac{2(n-1)}{3}\right\rfloor$
[/sp]
 

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