Questions regarding functions defined recursively, such as the Fibonacci sequence.

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2
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3answers
45 views

Solution to Recurrence Relation

I asked a question previously, about how to describe $$ f(n) = n^3 $$ As a recurrence relation. I was, quite rightly, given $a_1=1$ and $a_{n+1}=a_n+3n^2+3n+1$. I have attempted to solve it, using ...
2
votes
2answers
32 views

Expressing a sequence as a recurrence relation

I've been working on a project, and it's come to that time when I have to prove the run time complexity of an algorithm. I've obtained my metric and those things that have nothing to do with you guys! ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views

What are the asymptotic upper bounds to the recurrence $T(n) = 2T (⎣n/2⎦) + 2$ $n$ $lg$ $n, T(2) = 4$

The recurrence relation: $T(n) = 2T (⎣n/2⎦) + 2$ $n$ $lg$ $n, T(2) = 4$ What are the asymptotic upper bounds close as possible to the recurrence above using the iteration method? How to check if ...
1
vote
2answers
27 views

Recursive formulae involving a linear operator

Given a basis $e_{1}$, $e_{2}$ in the plane, define the linear operator $F$ as $F(e_{1})=3e_{1}+e_{2}$ and $F(e_{2})=e_{2}$. Furthermore, define the sequence $u_{1},u_{2},\dots$ of vectors in the ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views

Solve the recurrence $T(n) = T(\log_2 n) + 13n$

I have the following recurrence relation $$T(n) = T(\log_2 n) + 13n.$$ I believe in order to solve the equation I need to determine the height of the tree. $$T(n) \to T(\log_2 n) \to ...
0
votes
0answers
29 views

Solving a Non-Homogeneous Divide and Conquer Recurrence with Characteristic Equation

I have this recurrence relation problem at hand, which I have to solve via a characteristic equation: $$T(n)=2T({n/2})+4^n$$ To get rid of the $n/2$, I make the following change of variable $$n = ...
6
votes
1answer
40 views

Another recurrence… $T(n)=\sqrt{2n} \cdot T(\sqrt{2n}) + \sqrt{n}$

I'm trying to solve the following recurrence : $$T(n)=\sqrt{2n}\cdot T(\sqrt{2n}) + \sqrt{n}$$ I've tried substituting $n$ for some other variables to transform the above to something easier without ...
5
votes
1answer
30 views

Recurrence $u_{n+1}u_{n-1}-u_n^2=Ar^{n-1}$

I was going through some old puzzles and encountered one where there was a non-linear recurrence of form $$u_{n+1}u_{n-1}-u_n^2=Ar^{n-1}$$ with $u_0$ and $u_1$ given. I know I can use a test form ...
1
vote
2answers
68 views

Why do we substitute $\alpha^n$ in the recurrences of the form $ax_n=bx_{n-1}+cx_{n-2}$?

I encountered the following recurrence relation $2x_n-3x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}=0$ with $x_0=1$ $x_1=1$.I did not have any idea how to go about this.However, google pointed me to page 18 of Herbert Wilf's ...
1
vote
1answer
145 views

An issue with approximations of a recurrence sequence

By trying to give an approximation to a given recurrence sequence I encountered a problem. To be more precise I have a method but it fails if the right condition is not met and I wonder how I should ...
16
votes
5answers
373 views

limit of : $a_{n+2} =\frac{1}{a_n} + \frac{1}{a_{n+1}}$

$a_n$ is a real sequence, $a_1,a_2$ are positive and for all $n>2$ : $$ a_{n+2} =\frac{1}{a_{n+1}} + \frac{1}{a_{n}}.$$ Prove that: $\displaystyle \lim_{n\to \infty} a_n$ exists, then find it. ...
0
votes
1answer
53 views

How to express this recurrence relation as a closed form?

I need a little help with expressing this recurrence relation as a closed form. I've already expanded it out to see the pattern: $$ f(n) = f\left(\frac{n}{3}\right) + f\left(\frac{2n}{3}\right) + n - ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views

$A_k\leq C [2^{2k}A_{k-1}]^{\mu+1}, \ k=0,1,…$ implies $A_k\to 0$?

Consider the nonlinear recursive relation $$A_k\leq C [2^{2k}A_{k-1}]^{\mu+1}, \ k=0,1,...$$ where $C,A_k,\mu>0$. How can one show that if $A_0$ is small, then $A_k\to 0$? Thanks.
0
votes
2answers
37 views

Equation of a curve whose difference in ordinate values form an arithmetic sequence

I have the following recurrence equation that I have obtained while trying to solve a problem:- $$T(0) = 1$$ $$T(n) = T(n-1) + 9n - 8: n \ge 1$$ The values of $T(n)$ for $n = 0,1,2,... $ are as ...
2
votes
3answers
82 views

Solving recurrence equation using exponential generating functions

The recurrence is $ a_n = (n-1) a_{n-1} + (n-2)a_{n-2} $ I tried using exponential generating functions and have problems with it (the second term mostly) Further can this be solved without ...
1
vote
3answers
54 views

How to solve linear recurrences consisting of both $x_n$ and $y_n$?

I know how to solve a general linear, homogenous recurrence but these are the ones I've been given:(i) $x_{n+1} = 3x_n + 6y_n$(ii) $y_{n+1} = 6x_n - 2y_n$ Initial conditions: $x_0 = -1, y_0 = 0$ How ...
4
votes
1answer
122 views

Finding the general formula $a_n$ for $a_n = \frac{1}{2a_{n-1}} + 2a_{n-2}$

How to calculate the general formula $a_n$ for the following sequence: $$a_n = \frac{1}{2a_{n-1}} + 2a_{n-2}$$ where $a_1=\frac{1}{2}, a_2=\frac{1}{4}$
0
votes
1answer
32 views

Recurrence equation with upper and lower boundary condition

A very natural set up for recurrence equations is the following: $$ s(0) = 0 $$ $$ s(k) = A \ s(k-1) + B $$ $$ s(M) = A \ s(M-1), $$ where $0 \le A,B \le 1$ and $0 < k < M$. We can omit the ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views

Generalized Josephus problem

I have been reading generalized Josephus problem from Concrete Mathematics. The recurrence form for the problem is given as f(1) = a f(2n) = 2f(n) + b, for n >= 1 f(2n+1) = 2f(n) + y, for n >= 1 ...
1
vote
3answers
86 views

Strings and Substrings

So here is one of the last homeworks we are doing in my Discrete math class. It seems like it should be simple but I am really stuck. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Find the ordinary ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views

Convergence of $x_n=\sqrt{2(x_{n-1}-\log(1+x_{n-1}))}$

$x_n=\sqrt{2(x_{n-1}-\log(1+x_{n-1}))}$ with $x_0=a\ge0$ I calculated some values for $x_n$ with $a=0,1,2$ and recognized its monotonically decreasing (It converges to $0$). Now the standard approach ...
0
votes
1answer
13 views

Upper Bounds of Two Interdependant Recursive Sequences

For a pair of real numbers $\alpha$ and $\beta$, I need to prove that for the sequences $a_n = (-\alpha)a_{n-1} +b_{n-1}$ $b_n = (-\beta)a_{n-1}$ an upper bound exists with a form similar ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views

Master Method and use cases

$T(n)=T(n-2)+n^{2}$ and $T(n)=4T(n-2)+n^{2}$ Master method to solve these two equations? I know I can use the other cases where $a$ and $b > 0$ but since $T(n-2)$ do I assume $b$ is $1$?
0
votes
1answer
34 views

Rules Regarding Particular Solutions for Recurrence Relations

Suppose I have the recurrence relation $a_n = - a_{n-1} + a_{n-2} + 2^n + n$ Is it alright to solve for the homogeneous 'general' solution and then split the solving of the particular solution into ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views

why must orthogonal polynomials each have distinct roots?

Let $\langle\cdot,\cdot\rangle$ be any inner product on the set of functions $[a,b]\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$, and let $(p_n)_{n\in\mathbb{N}}$ be a sequence of polynomials defined by: $p_{-1}(x)=0$, ...
2
votes
5answers
102 views

Deriving Closed Form for a Recursion via Generating Functions

Consider (1) $a_{n+2} = 2a_{n+1} - a_n + 4n3^n$ with $a_0 = a_1 = 1$. Using generating functions and setting $A(x) = \sum a_nx^n$ we obtain $$\begin{align*}&\quad\sum a_{n+2}x^{n+2} = ...
2
votes
1answer
25 views

Finding the coefficient in the closed form of the generating function

I try to solve the recursion $a_n=5a_{n-1}+5^n$ with $a_0=1$ with generating function, but I could not find the coefficient of $x^n$ in the closed form \begin{eqnarray*} ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views

Proof Involving Difference Operators

Let E be the forward shift operator on $x$ defined by $Ef(x) = f(x+1)$. Similarly, let $\delta$ be the forward difference operator such that $\delta f(x) = f(x+1) - f(x)$ and the inverse operator ...
2
votes
2answers
38 views

Using Generating Functions (again) to Solve Recurrences

Consider the recursion $a_n = 2a_{n-1} + (-1)^n$ where $a_0 = 2$ Then $A(x) = \sum a_n x^n$ = $2 + \sum a_n x^n$ shifting the index of summation. The only next move I can think of is to now ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views

Solving the recurrence $T(n) = T(n/2) + cn \cdot \lg \lg n - 1$

I'm trying to solve the recurrence $$ \begin{eqnarray} T(n) & = & T\left( \frac{n}{2} \right) + cn\lg \lg n - 1\\ T(2) & = & 0 \end{eqnarray} $$ where $\lg n = \log_2 n$ to get the ...
4
votes
3answers
104 views

Combinatorial Proof for a Recursive Sequence

For $n>3$ let $g_n = g_{n-1} + g_{n-3}$ where the recursion takes the value 1 for n = 0,1,2. Prove that $g_{2n} = (g_n)^2 + 2g_{n-2}g_{n-1}$ combinatorially, $n > 1$. For the time being I am ...
2
votes
2answers
88 views

Tricks to Solve Arbitrary Recursions

Consider two recursions: (1) $a_{n+2} = 2a_{n+1} - a_n + 4n3^n$ with $a_0 = a_1 = 1$ (2) $na_n = (n-2)a_{n-1} + n/2$ with $a_0 = 0$ When I look at the first recursion it suggests to me that I ...
1
vote
2answers
49 views

How to think about solving recurrences?

I am having trouble finding a closed-form solution to the following recurrence for $T(i)$, $0\le i\le n$. $$T(0) = T(1) + 2,\quad T(n) = 0$$ and $$T(i) = {T(i+1)\over 2} + {T(i-1)\over 2} + 1,\quad ...
4
votes
1answer
181 views

Lower bound for multivariate recurrence

I have a recurrence that looks like $$p(i,j,k) = \frac{j}{n}p(i-1,j-1,k-1) + \frac{i-j}{n}p(i-1,j,k-1)$$ $$p(i,0,k) = 1$$ $$p(i,j,0) = 0$$ $$p(0,j,k) = 0$$ The base cases are to be considered in ...
0
votes
1answer
59 views

Solving a recurrence realtion using backward substitution.

So I've been trying my best to do this, and I have made some good progress, I just need to know if what I have done is correct and if not, what the hell am I doing wrong? :P I start off with this ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views

Recurrence into explicit formulas

Can anyone point me in the right directions for these recurrence problems? I'm having trouble figuring this out for my class I have to find the explicit formula for $H(n)$ as a fuction of $n$. ...
0
votes
1answer
87 views

Solving Recurrence Relation with Forward Substitution

I've found myself quite stuck on this recurrence relation. I've been given it to solve, via forward substitution and verify using induction. I start out with $$ T(n) = 4T(n/3) $$ For all $n > 1$ ...
0
votes
3answers
28 views

Recurrence relation of two next terms

For the recurrence relation, $a_{n+2}=3a_{n+1}-2a_n$ with $a_0=2$ and $a_1=3$, compute the first six terms of the sequence and derive a closed form formula for this sequence. So I'm totally lost with ...
3
votes
1answer
41 views

Finding a Linear Recurrence Relation

A model for the number of lobsters caught per year is based on the assumption that the number of lobsters caught in a year is the average of the number caught in the two previous years. ...
2
votes
2answers
46 views

Recurrence Relations for $c_1$ and $c_2$

For the following recurrence relation: $a_n = 3a_{n-1}+4a_{n-2}$, where $a_0=3$ and $a_1=2$ I solved it using quadratic equation by $x^2+3x-4$. So I got to $a_n = 4^nc_1 + c_2(-1)^n$. Now to find ...
2
votes
3answers
87 views

Solving functional equation for generating function

Find the functional equation for the generating function whose coefficients satisfy $$ a_n = \sum_{i=1}^{n-1}2^ia_{n-i}, \text{ for } n\ge 2, a_0 = a_1 = 1 $$ This is what I've tried so far: $$ ...
2
votes
3answers
51 views

How do I find the closed form of a recurrence relation?

I'm stuck on how to find closed forms of recurrence relations. My current problem is: An employee joins a company in 1999 with a starting salary of $50,000. Every year this employee receives a raise ...
2
votes
2answers
66 views

Finding the expression for $q_n$

Let $q_n$ be the number of $n$-letter words consisting of letters a, b, c and d, and which contain an odd number of letters $b$. Prove that $$q_{n+1} = 2q_n + 4^n\qquad\forall n \geq 1 $$ and, ...
1
vote
2answers
33 views

Stuck on solving recurrence relation

I'm trying to find formula for the following sequence. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15... Recursive formula is pretty straightforward My attempt to solve it: Homogeneous solution Particular solution ...
2
votes
1answer
45 views

Recurrence equation question

My question (which has been edited) relates to the following recurrence relation: $$a_{j+2}=\frac{2 a_{j}}{j}$$ The book which I am reading says that the (approximate) solution is given by: ...
0
votes
3answers
44 views

Recurrence question

My question relates to the following recurrence relation: $$a_{j+2}=\frac{a_{j}}{2}$$ The book which I am reading says that the (approximate) solution is given by: $$a_{j}=\frac{C}{(j/2)!}$$ (I ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views

Recurrence Relations: general process for solving first order

So I had asked a question prior to this one about recurrence relations, but apparently it was a bad one to ask. So I'm trying again to understand how to solve these babies... Here it is: $$ ...
4
votes
1answer
39 views

Find the common limit of $\frac{2}{1/a_n+1/b_n}$ and $\sqrt{a_n b_n}$

Let $a_0=1$ and $b_0=2$, then \begin{align} a_{n+1} &= \frac{2}{\frac{1}{a_n}+\frac{1}{b_n}}, \\ b_{n+1} &= \sqrt{a_n b_n}. \end{align} The sequences $(a_n)$ and $(b_n)$ converge to the same ...
1
vote
3answers
53 views

Linear Recurrence Relations

I'm having trouble understanding the process of solving simple linear recurrence relation problems. The problem in the book is this: $$ 0=a_{n+1}-1.5a_n,\ n \ge 0 $$ What is the general process, and ...
2
votes
1answer
38 views

Finding functional equation for generating function

I'm given $$ a_n = \sum_{i=2}^{n-2} a_ia_{n-i} \quad (n\geq 3), a_0 = a_1=a_2 = 1 $$ and I need to find the functional equation for the generating function satisfying the above equality. I obtained ...

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