10-03-09 Sequence Convergence

Not the kind of convergence that appears in undergrad courses. So please dont be scared away. In fact if you apply your mind to this one, you may be rewarded.

For every integer n \ge 0 , let S(n) = n - m^2 where m is the greatest integer with m^2 \le n.

Define a sequence (a_k)_{k=0}^{\infty} by a0 = A, where A is a natural number and ak+1 = ak + S(ak).

For what values of A is the sequence eventually constant?

42 Answers

62
Lokesh Verma ·

it is not true..

Let me give an example

suppose hypothetically that ak was 9900 at some stage and s(9900) becomes 100

then ak+1 becoems 10,000

which si perfect square..

how do u rule out such a possibility?

39
Dr.House ·

takin m2<ak<m2+2m+1

we have s(ak)= ak -m2 not equal to zero.

24
eureka123 ·

Sorry If I am being rude[2][2] to the highly genious theprophet sir but couldn't resist....
If my memory is not that much weak then you only wrote this ::
""Mathematician, such questions should be posted in Olympiad Corner. Otherwise it will alarm the students that is in JEE syllabus."" in this link http://targetiit.com/iit_jee_forum/posts/inequalities_3084.html

Then have u forgotten ur advice or just by mistake posted this question here??????????????[7][7][7][7][7][7]

Again being sorry for writing all this

1
chemistry organic ·

@mathie dont mind but its bhaiya not "bhaiyan" :)

341
Hari Shankar ·

@eureka: Since I am not a teenager I think you may safely assume that I will be responsible enough to post problems in the appropriate forums. Also since I have solved the problem myself, I know its difficulty level (and Nishant Sir who has also cracked it, will agree on this point). I dont have the habit of posting problems whose solution I have read up somewhere, and that is out of this same sense of responsibilty.

To the rest, who have an eye on doing well in the coming JEE, a little bit of an off-beat problem, which will stretch your mind a bit, is what you will need in the run-up to JEE. So give it a try.

1
skygirl ·

well either i din get d question.. or am a perfect dumb...

how can there be any A for which the whole sequence is constant?

for any A however, the sequence is constant upto third term...

24
eureka123 ·

@theprophet:I never intended to say that you are an irresponsible user of this community.Through my post ,I only wanted to ask the reason because of which this question was posted here.
And Nishant sir has been kind enough to help me understand the toughness level of the problem and its priority level.....the same point being repeated by you in post#16.

I have read your solutions in the forum and from bottom of my heart appreciate them and your innovative techniques.

And in post#3 I have already tendered an apology from my side if you felt that whatever I wrote was meant to defame you or disregard you.

Hope this small spat wouldn't spoil our relations ...and wouldn't affect the environment of the forum which has been outstanding.

1
skygirl ·

@prophet,

bhaiya pls ans my douubt ... post no. #17

39
Dr.House ·

SIR WAT ABOUT MY SOLN?

I GOT THAT ANSWER AS `ALL PEFECT SQUARES`

BUT NISHANT BHAIYAN IS ASKING ME TO CLAIM FOR NON SQUARES

39
Dr.House ·

@SKY ANSWER IS ALL PERFECT SQUARES

341
Hari Shankar ·

@star/sky - it need not be constant right from the beginning. Eventually constant, means after some particular term, all terms are equal.

Its obvious that for perfect square A, the sequence is constant. Thats why Nishant is saying prove that there are no non-perfect squares for which it does not become constant

39
Dr.House ·

then in watever i am proving regarding perfect squares, where am i going wrong?

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