# We define a sequence of rational numbers {$a_n$} by putting $a_1=3$ and $a_{n+1}=4-\frac{2}{a_n}$ for all natural numbers. Put $\alpha = 2 + \sqrt{2}$

We define a sequence of rational numbers {$a_n$} by putting $a_1=3$ and $a_{n+1}=4-\frac{2}{a_n}$ for all $n \in \mathbb N$. Put $\alpha = 2 + \sqrt{2}$

(a) Prove by induction on n, that $3 \le a_n \lt 4$ for all $n \in \mathbb N$.

(b) Show that $3\lt \alpha \lt 4$ and $\alpha=4-\frac{2}{\alpha}$

(c) Show that $a_{n+1}-\alpha=\frac{2(a_n-\alpha)}{\alpha a_n}$ for all $n \in \mathbb N$.

(d) Prove, by induction on n, that |$a_n-\alpha$|$\le\frac{|a_1-\alpha|}{4^{n-1}}$ for all $n \in \mathbb N$.

(e) Deduce that $a_n \rightarrow \alpha$ as $n \rightarrow \infty$

$a_2=3.33333$

$a_3=3.4$

$a_4=3.411764706$

$a_5=3.413793103$

$a_6=3.1414141414$

$\alpha=3.1414213562$

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What is the role of $\alpha$? You're defining it but never mentioning it outside its own definition. –  Henning Makholm Nov 21 '12 at 15:05
The parts (b), (c), (d) give you relatively detailed hints what to do. Where exactly is the problem? What have you tried to do so far? –  Martin Sleziak Nov 21 '12 at 15:26
Does anyone know how to go about answering part E on this question, any help would be much appreciated. Thankyou. –  jill Nov 21 '12 at 19:52
@jill Part (d) implies $|a_n-\alpha|\to0$. This is equivalent to $a_n\to\alpha$. –  Martin Sleziak Dec 2 '12 at 10:40

Certainly $a_1 \le 3 \lt 4$, since $a_1=3$.

Suppose that for the specific integer $k$, we know that $3\le a_k \lt 4$.

We want to show that similar inequalities hold for the "next" term $a_{k+1}$. That is, we want to show that $3\le a_{k+1}\lt 4$.

There are two inequalities to prove. Let us deal with them separately. First we show that (i) $3\le a_{k+1}$ and then that (ii) $a_{k+1}\lt 4$.

(i) Note that $a_{k+1}=4-\frac{2}{a_k}$. We know that $a_k \ge 3$. So $\frac{2}{a_k}\le \frac{2}{3}$. It follows that $4-\frac{2}{a_k} \ge 4-\frac{2}{3}=\frac{10}{3} \ge 3$.

(ii) Because $a_k$ is positive, $4-\frac{2}{a_k}\lt 4$.

So we have shown that our inequalities hold at $n=1$, and that if they hold for some integer $k$, they hold for the next integer $k+1$. By the principle of mathematical induction, the inequality $3\le a_n \lt 4$ holds for every positive integer $n$.

Added: Since the above answer was written, the question has quintupled in length. I hope that the above will at least help with the mechanics of induction. We make a few comments about the added parts.

The added question (b) is undoubtedly something you can handle. Showing that $3\lt \alpha \lt 4$ can be done by observing that $1\lt \sqrt{2}\lt 2$. To show that $\alpha=4-\frac{2}{\alpha}$, note that $\frac{2}{\alpha}=\frac{2}{2+\sqrt{2}}$. Multiply top and bottom by $2-\sqrt{2}$, and everything will collapse. Alternately, we want to show that $\alpha^2=4\alpha -2$. Solve the quadratic equation $x^2-4x+2=0$ using the Quadratic Formula. You will find that the roots are $2\pm\sqrt{2}$.

For (c), the natural thing is to take the left-hand side $a_{n+1}-\alpha$, and replace $a_{n+1}$ by its value in terms of $a_n$. Also, we use the result of (b) as a hint, and replace $\alpha$ by $4-\frac{2}{\alpha}$. We get $$a_{n+1}-\alpha=\left(4-\frac{2}{a_n}\right)-\left(4-\frac{2}{\alpha}\right).$$ There is some nice cancellation: The expression on the right simplifies to $-\frac{2}{a_n}+\frac{2}{\alpha}$. Bring to a common denominator and we get $$a_{n+1}-\alpha=\frac{2(a_n-\alpha)}{a_n \alpha}.$$

Now you be able to show (d). For the above formula gives us information about how close $a_{n+1}$ is to $\alpha$ in terms of how close $a_n$ is to $\alpha$. Use the fact that since $a_n \gt 3$ and $\alpha\gt 3$, we have $\frac{2}{a_n \alpha}\lt \frac{2}{9}\lt \frac{1}{4}$.

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Thank you your response has been more than helpful, i was struggling with where to start. –  Stephanie Jones Nov 21 '12 at 16:14

Hint: Notice that $(2+\sqrt2)(2-\sqrt2)=2$, i.e. $\frac{2}{2+\sqrt2}=2-\sqrt2$.

What can you say about $a_{n+1}$ if $a_n\le 2+\sqrt2$? What about the case $a_n\ge2+\sqrt2$?

EDIT: The above was written as the response to the original version of the question.

If you want to show also that $\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} a_n=\alpha$, a viable strategy seems to be:

• Showing that $f(x)=4-\frac2x$ is a contraction mapping on the interval $[3,4]$.
• By Banach fixed-point theorem there exists a limit of the iterations and it must fulfill the equation $f(x)=4-\frac2x=x$.

Another possibility could be playing with the sequences of odd and even terms of this sequence.

EDIT 2: The question was edited again, so I am adding two more hints:

(c) $a_{n+1}-\alpha=4-\frac2{a_n}-\alpha=\frac{(4-\alpha)a_n-2}{a_n}$
What do you get from this if you use $4-\alpha=\frac2\alpha$?

(d) You have $|a_{n+1}-\alpha|=\frac{2}{\alpha a_n}|a_n-\alpha|$.
From the preceding parts you have $\frac2{\alpha a_n}\le\frac2{3^2}=\frac29<\frac14$.

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The hints that you have given me are very helpful, I think i was just confusing myself with what to do at the begining, and where to start on the proofs. I just needed a few hints to start me off. Thank you very much for your help. –  Stephanie Jones Nov 21 '12 at 15:56