Claims About a Periodic Recurrence

Problem

A sequence {an}\{a_n\} is periodic with period TT if there is a positive integer TT with an+T=ana_{n+T}=a_n for all nn. Let {an}\{a_n\} satisfy a1=ma_1=m (m>0m>0) and

an+1={an−1,an>1,1an,0<an⩽1.a_{n+1}=\begin{cases}a_n-1,&a_n>1,\\ \dfrac 1{a_n},&0<a_n\leqslant 1.\end{cases}

Determine, with proof, which of the following claims are false.

1. If a3=4a_3=4, then mm can take 33 different values. 2. If m=2m=\sqrt 2, then {an}\{a_n\} has period 33. 3. For every integer T⩾2T\geqslant 2, there exists m>1m>1 making {an}\{a_n\} periodic with period TT. 4. There exists a rational m⩾2m\geqslant 2 making {an}\{a_n\} periodic.

Answer

Solution

Difficulty8/10
Topicsnumber theory, Recursion, sequences, Casework

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