- #1
toothpaste666
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Homework Statement
Let [itex]\{P_i\}_{i=0}^\infty [/itex] be a sequence of points on a plane. Suppose [itex]P_i[/itex]s are placed as on the picture below, so that [itex] |P_0 P_1|=2, |P_1 P_2|=1, |P_2 P_3|=.5, |P_3P_4|=.25[/itex], ... Find the coordinate of the point [itex]P = \lim_{i→\infty} P_i [/itex]
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
here are the points [itex] P_0: (0,0) P_1: (2,0) P_2: (2, 1) P_3: (1.5, 1) P_4: (1.5, .75) P_5: (1.625, .75) [/itex]
lets examine the x values first:
2, 1.5, 1.625
this is a sequence defined recursively by:
[itex] a_1 = 2 [/itex]
[itex] a_{n+1} = 2 - \frac{a_n}{4} [/itex]
[itex] L = \lim_{a_n\rightarrow\infty} a_n = \lim_{a_n\rightarrow\infty} a_{n+1}
= \lim_{an\rightarrow\infty} 2-\frac{a_n}{4} [/itex]
which means that
[itex] L = 2-\frac{L}{4} [/itex]
[itex] 4L = 8 - L [/itex]
[itex] 5L = 8 [/itex]
[itex] L = \frac{8}{5} [/itex]
[itex] L = 1.6 [/itex]
so 1.6 would be the x coordinate of the point.
I then would follow a similar process to find the y coordinate, but before I do that I just want to make sure what I have so far is correct.