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Solutions to Problem 3/4/19

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3/4/19. Let 0 < < 1. Define a sequence {an } of real numbers by a1 = 1 and for all
integers k 1,
a2k = ak ,
a2k+1 = (1 )ak .
Find the value of the sum

a2k a2k+1 in terms of .

k=1

Credit This problem was proposed by Sandor Lehoczky, and modified by Dave Patrick.

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Comments This following solution deftly finds the required sum by directly using the given
recursion relations. Solutions edited by Naoki Sato.
Solution by: Tony Jin (10/CA)
By the definition of {an },

a2k a2k+1 =

[ak (1 )ak ] = (1 )

k=1

X
k=1

k=1

k=1

We can split up the sum

a2k as follows:

a2k = a21 +

a22k +

= a21 +

2 a2k +

k=1

a21

a22k+1

k=1

k=1

k=1

(1 )2 a2k

k=1

a2k

+ (1 )

a2k

k=1

k=1

= a21 + [2 + (1 )2 ]

a2k .

k=1

Therefore,
[1 2 (1 )2 ]

a2k = a21 ,

k=1

so

X
k=1

a2k

a21
1
=
=
.
2
2
1 (1 )
2(1 )

a2k .

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Solutions to Problem 3/4/19
www.usamts.org

Finally, the sum we seek is

a2k a2k+1 = (1 )

k=1

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1
a2k = .
2
k=1