2
$\begingroup$

The series $(a_n)_{n\in\mathbb{N}}$ is given through $$a_1=1,\quad a_2=\frac{1}{2},\quad a_{n+2}=a_na_{n+1} \quad\text{ for } n\geq1.$$ I want to show that $$a_n = 2^{-f_{n-1}}$$ whereas $\,f_n$ is the $n$-th Fibonacci number.

I did a proof with induction, but now I came up with this. Out of the initial figures, the definition of $f_n$, and the exponent and logarithm rules I think it is

\begin{align} &\quad a_{n} = 2^{\,\log_2 a_n} = 2^{\,\log_2 (a_{n-2} \,\cdot\, a_{n-1})}\\ \Longleftrightarrow &\quad a_n = 2^{\,\log_2 (a_{n-2}) \,+\, \log_2 (a_{n-1})}\\ \Longleftrightarrow &\quad \log_2 a_n = \log_2 2^{\,\log_2 (a_{n-2}) \,+\, \log_2 (a_{n-1})}\\ \Longleftrightarrow &\quad \log_2 a_n = \log_2 a_{n-2} \,+\, \log_2 a_{n-1}\\ \Longleftrightarrow &\quad (-\log_2 a_n) = (-\log_2 a_{n-2}) + (-\log_2 a_{n-1}) \quad(*) \end{align}

and with the initial figures $-\log_2 a_1 = 0$ and $-\log_2 a_2 = 1$ the negative expononents form the Fibonacci sequence $2^{-f_{n-1}}$ with $(*)$.

Is that valid? Thanks!

$\endgroup$
1
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I think the proof is perfect! $\endgroup$ Commented Dec 1, 2015 at 16:32

2 Answers 2

1
$\begingroup$

I think that you should at least mention that $a_n\gt 0$ for every $n$.

Note that taking the logarithm of $a_{n+2}=a_na_{n+1}$ directly is simpler : $$\log_2 a_{n+2}=\log_2 a_n+\log_2 a_{n+1}$$

$\endgroup$
0
$\begingroup$

Your proof is fine. However, I'd suggest another version. Initialization: $a_1 = 2^{-f_0}$ (assuming $f_0 =0$), $a_2 = 2^{-f_1}$ (assuming $f_0 =1$). It happens that $a_3 = a_1*a_2 = 2^{-f_0-f_1} = 2^{-f_2}$ . Now suppose the property is valid up to index $k\ge 2$. Then $a_{k+1} = a_{k}a_{k-1} = 2^{-f_{k-1}}2^{-f_{k-2}} = 2^{-f_{k-1}-f_{k-2}} = 2^{-f_{k}}$. So it is valid for index $k+1$ as well.

Thus, you do not have to play with $\log$s, which requires positivity.

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.