USA Mathematical Talent Search

Solutions to Problem 3/4/19

www.usamts.org

3/4/19. Let 0 < < 1. Define a sequence {an } of real numbers by a1 = 1 and for all
integers k 1,

a2k = ak ,
a2k+1 = (1 )ak .

X
Find the value of the sum a2k a2k+1 in terms of .
k=1

Credit This problem was proposed by Sandor Lehoczky, and modified by Dave Patrick.
Create PDF with GO2PDF for free, if you wish to remove this line, click here to buy Virtual PDF Printer

Comments This following solution deftly finds the required sum by directly using the given
recursion relations. Solutions edited by Naoki Sato.

Solution by: Tony Jin (10/CA)

By the definition of {an },

X
X
X
a2k a2k+1 = [ak (1 )ak ] = (1 ) a2k .
k=1 k=1 k=1
P
We can split up the sum k=1 a2k as follows:

X
X
X
a2k = a21 + a22k + a22k+1
k=1 k=1 k=1

X X
= a21 + 2 a2k + (1 )2 a2k
k=1 k=1

X
X
= a21 + 2
a2k + (1 ) 2
a2k
k=1 k=1

X
= a21 + [2 + (1 )2 ] a2k .
k=1

Therefore,

X
[1 2 (1 )2 ] a2k = a21 ,
k=1
so
X a21 1
a2k = 2 2
= .
k=1
1 (1 ) 2(1 )
 USA Mathematical Talent Search
Solutions to Problem 3/4/19
www.usamts.org

Finally, the sum we seek is

X X 1
a2k a2k+1 = (1 ) a2k = .
k=1 k=1
2

Create PDF with GO2PDF for free, if you wish to remove this line, click here to buy Virtual PDF Printer