An Up-Down Walk

Problem

A sequence a1,a2,…,a21a_1, a_2, \ldots, a_{21} satisfies ∣an+1−an∣=1|a_{n+1} - a_n| = 1 for n=1,…,20n = 1, \ldots, 20, and a1,a7,a21a_1, a_7, a_{21} form a geometric sequence. If a1=1a_1 = 1 and a21=9a_{21} = 9, find the number of such sequences.

Answer

Solution

Difficulty8/10
Topicscombinatorics, Geometric Progression, Counting, sequences, Casework

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