A sequence of numbers, xnx_{n}, satisfy the relation xn+1=13(2xn+1xn2),n∈N+∪{0},0<x0<1.x_{n+1}=\tfrac{1}{3}\left(2x_{n}+\dfrac{1}{x_{n}^{2}}\right),\quad n\in\mathbb{N}^{+}\cup\{0\},\quad 0<x_{0}<1.

  1. ((i))

    If the sequence converges to a number LL, find LL.

  2. ((ii))

    Given that xn>Lx_{n}>L for all integers n≥1n\ge 1, show that xn+1<xnx_{n+1}<x_{n}.

  3. ((iii))

    Describe, with reference to (i) and (ii), the behaviour of the sequence.

  4. (Further)

    The difference dnd_{n} between xnx_{n} and LL is given by dn=xn−Ld_{n}=x_{n}-L. Show that dn+1≈dn2d_{n+1}\approx d_{n}^{2} and state the range of values of dnd_{n} for which this approximation is valid.

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Worked solution

7((i))

1. Set up the equation for the limit $L$.

As n→∞n \to \infty, xn→Lx_n \to L and xn+1→Lx_{n+1} \to L.
Substituting LL into the recurrence relation:
L=13(2L+1L2)L = \frac{1}{3}\left(2L + \frac{1}{L^2}\right)

2. Solve the algebraic equation for $L$.

3L=2L+1L23L = 2L + \frac{1}{L^2}
L=1L2L = \frac{1}{L^2}
L3=1L^3 = 1
L=1(since L is a real number)L = 1 \quad \text{(since } L \text{ is a real number)}

Answer

L=1L = 1

7((ii))

1. Determine the limit $L$ from part (i) as it is required to use the condition $x_n > L$.

As n→∞n \to \infty, both xn→Lx_n \to L and xn+1→Lx_{n+1} \to L.
L=13(2L+1L2)L = \frac{1}{3}\left(2L + \frac{1}{L^2}\right)
3L=2L+1L23L = 2L + \frac{1}{L^2}
L=1L2L = \frac{1}{L^2}
L3=1  ⟹  L=1L^3 = 1 \implies L = 1

2. Express the difference $x_{n+1} - x_n$ as a single rational fraction.

xn+1−xn=13(2xn+1xn2)−xnx_{n+1} - x_n = \frac{1}{3}\left(2x_n + \frac{1}{x_n^2}\right) - x_n
xn+1−xn=23xn+13xn2−xnx_{n+1} - x_n = \frac{2}{3}x_n + \frac{1}{3x_n^2} - x_n
xn+1−xn=13xn2−13xnx_{n+1} - x_n = \frac{1}{3x_n^2} - \frac{1}{3}x_n
xn+1−xn=1−xn33xn2x_{n+1} - x_n = \frac{1 - x_n^3}{3x_n^2}

3. Determine the signs of the numerator and denominator using the condition $x_n > L$.

Given that xn>Lx_n > L and from our result L=1L = 1, we have xn>1x_n > 1.
For the numerator: Since xn>1x_n > 1, it follows that xn3>1x_n^3 > 1, which means 1−xn3<01 - x_n^3 < 0.
For the denominator: Since xn>1x_n > 1, 3xn2>03x_n^2 > 0.

4. Conclude the proof by showing the difference is strictly negative.

Since the numerator is strictly negative and the denominator is strictly positive,
xn+1−xn=1−xn33xn2<0x_{n+1} - x_n = \frac{1 - x_n^3}{3x_n^2} < 0
∴xn+1<xn (shown)\therefore x_{n+1} < x_n \text{ (shown)}

Answer

\text{Shown}

7((iii))

1. Synthesize the findings from parts (i) and (ii) to describe the sequence.

From part (i), the sequence converges to L=1L = 1.
From part (ii), xn+1<xnx_{n+1} < x_n for n≥1n \ge 1, which means the sequence is strictly decreasing for n≥1n \ge 1.
Therefore, the sequence decreases and converges to 11.

Answer

For n≥1n \ge 1, the sequence is strictly decreasing and converges to 11.

7(Further)

1. Find the limit $L$ of the sequence from part (i) to relate $x_n$ and $d_n$.

From (i), at the limit LL, xn→Lx_{n} \to L and xn+1→Lx_{n+1} \to L.
L=13(2L+1L2)L = \frac{1}{3}\left(2L + \frac{1}{L^2}\right)
3L3=2L3+13L^3 = 2L^3 + 1
L3=1  ⟹  L=1L^3 = 1 \implies L = 1

Since dn=xn−Ld_n = x_n - L, we have xn=dn+1x_n = d_n + 1 and xn+1=dn+1+1x_{n+1} = d_{n+1} + 1.

2. Substitute $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ into the recurrence relation to express $d_{n+1}$ in terms of $d_n$.

dn+1+1=13(2(dn+1)+1(dn+1)2)d_{n+1} + 1 = \frac{1}{3}\left(2(d_n + 1) + \frac{1}{(d_n + 1)^2}\right)
dn+1=13(2dn+2+(1+dn)−2)−1d_{n+1} = \frac{1}{3}\left(2d_n + 2 + (1 + d_n)^{-2}\right) - 1

3. Expand $(1 + d_n)^{-2}$ using the standard series expansion up to the $d_n^2$ term.

Using the standard expansion (1+x)n=1+nx+n(n−1)2x2+…(1+x)^n = 1 + nx + \frac{n(n-1)}{2}x^2 + \dots:
(1+dn)−2=1+(−2)dn+(−2)(−3)2dn2+…(1 + d_n)^{-2} = 1 + (-2)d_n + \frac{(-2)(-3)}{2}d_n^2 + \dots
(1+dn)−2≈1−2dn+3dn2(1 + d_n)^{-2} \approx 1 - 2d_n + 3d_n^2

4. Substitute the expansion back and simplify to show the required relationship.

dn+1≈13(2dn+2+1−2dn+3dn2)−1d_{n+1} \approx \frac{1}{3}\left(2d_n + 2 + 1 - 2d_n + 3d_n^2\right) - 1
dn+1≈13(3+3dn2)−1d_{n+1} \approx \frac{1}{3}\left(3 + 3d_n^2\right) - 1
dn+1≈1+dn2−1d_{n+1} \approx 1 + d_n^2 - 1
dn+1≈dn2(shown)d_{n+1} \approx d_n^2 \quad \text{(shown)}

5. State the range of values for which the approximation (binomial series expansion) is valid.

For the binomial expansion of (1+dn)−2(1 + d_n)^{-2} to be valid and converge, we require:
∣dn∣<1|d_n| < 1
−1<dn<1-1 < d_n < 1

Answer

−1<dn<1-1 < d_n < 1

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