Problems

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The Babylonian algorithm for deducing \(\sqrt{2}\). The sequence of numbers \(\{x_n\}\) is given by the following conditions: \(x_1 = 1\), \(x_{n + 1} = \frac 12 (x_n + 2/x_n)\) (\(n \geq 1\)).

Prove that \(\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} x_n = \sqrt{2}\).

What will the sequence from the previous problem 61297 be converging towards if we choose \(x_1\) as equal to \(-1\) as the initial condition?

The iterative formula of Heron. Prove that the sequence of numbers \(\{x_n\}\) given by the conditions \(x_1 = 1\), \(x_{n + 1} = \frac 12 (x_n + k/x_n)\), converges. Find the limit of this sequence.

The algorithm of the approximate calculation of \(\sqrt[3]{a}\). The sequence \(\{a_n\}\) is defined by the following conditions: \(a_0 = a > 0\), \(a_{n + 1} = 1/3 (2a_n + a/a^2_n)\) (\(n \geq 0\)).

Prove that \(\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} a_n = \sqrt[3]{a}\).

The sequence of numbers \(\{a_n\}\) is given by \(a_1 = 1\), \(a_{n + 1} = 3a_n/4 + 1/a_n\) (\(n \geq 1\)). Prove that:

a) the sequence \(\{a_n\}\) converges;

b) \(|a_{1000} - 2| < (3/4)^{1000}\).

Find the limit of the sequence that is given by the following conditions \(a_1 = 2\), \(a_{n + 1} = a_n/2 + a_n^2/8\) (\(n \geq 1\)).

The sequence of numbers \(\{x_n\}\) is given by the following conditions: \(x_1 \geq - a\), \(x_{n + 1} = \sqrt{a + x_n}\). Prove that the sequence \(x_n\) is monotonic and bounded. Find its limit.

We call the geometric-harmonic mean of numbers \(a\) and \(b\) the general limit of the sequences \(\{a_n\}\) and \(\{b_n\}\) constructed according to the rule \(a_0 = a\), \(b_0 = b\), \(a_{n + 1} = \frac{2a_nb_n}{a_n + b_n}\), \(b_{n + 1} = \sqrt{a_nb_n}\) (\(n \geq 0\)).

We denote it by \(\nu (a, b)\). Prove that \(\nu (a, b)\) is related to \(\mu (a, b)\) (see problem number 61322) by \(\nu (a, b) \times \mu (1/a, 1/b) = 1\).

Problem number 61322 says that both of these sequences have the same limit.

This limit is called the arithmetic-geometric mean of the numbers \(a, b\) and is denoted by \(\mu (a, b)\).

Definition. The sequence of numbers \(a_0, a_1, \dots , a_n, \dots\), which, with the given \(p\) and \(q\), satisfies the relation \(a_{n + 2} = pa_{n + 1} + qa_n\) (\(n = 0,1,2, \dots\)) is called a linear recurrent sequence of the second order.

The equation \[x^2-px-q = 0\] is called a characteristic equation of the sequence \(\{a_n\}\).

Prove that, if the numbers \(a_0\), \(a_1\) are fixed, then all of the other terms of the sequence \(\{a_n\}\) are uniquely determined.

The frog jumps over the vertices of the hexagon \(ABCDEF\), each time moving to one of the neighbouring vertices.

a) How many ways can it get from \(A\) to \(C\) in \(n\) jumps?

b) The same question, but on condition that it cannot jump to \(D\)?

c) Let the frog’s path begin at the vertex \(A\), and at the vertex \(D\) there is a mine. Every second it makes another jump. What is the probability that it will still be alive in \(n\) seconds?

d)* What is the average life expectancy of such frogs?