prove existence of the limit of a sequence











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So I have the following problem:
$ x_0 = 1 , x_1 = 2 , $and $x_{n+1} = 2x_n + x_{n-1} $for $ n geq 1.$



Show that: $hspace{2mm} lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} $ exists.



Then show that the Limit is equal to $sqrt{2}-1$.



For this I thought i could use the fact that $x_n$ is bounded and I thought that it was monotonically falling, but that is not the case, so I ran out of ideas. And I don't know how to calculate the limit... Thank you very much for your help!










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  • Don´t forget to mark an answer as accepted!!! Have a look at your other questions as well. Then your "$textrm{Thank you very much for your help!}$" is more credible.
    – callculus
    yesterday

















up vote
3
down vote

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So I have the following problem:
$ x_0 = 1 , x_1 = 2 , $and $x_{n+1} = 2x_n + x_{n-1} $for $ n geq 1.$



Show that: $hspace{2mm} lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} $ exists.



Then show that the Limit is equal to $sqrt{2}-1$.



For this I thought i could use the fact that $x_n$ is bounded and I thought that it was monotonically falling, but that is not the case, so I ran out of ideas. And I don't know how to calculate the limit... Thank you very much for your help!










share|cite|improve this question
























  • Don´t forget to mark an answer as accepted!!! Have a look at your other questions as well. Then your "$textrm{Thank you very much for your help!}$" is more credible.
    – callculus
    yesterday















up vote
3
down vote

favorite









up vote
3
down vote

favorite











So I have the following problem:
$ x_0 = 1 , x_1 = 2 , $and $x_{n+1} = 2x_n + x_{n-1} $for $ n geq 1.$



Show that: $hspace{2mm} lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} $ exists.



Then show that the Limit is equal to $sqrt{2}-1$.



For this I thought i could use the fact that $x_n$ is bounded and I thought that it was monotonically falling, but that is not the case, so I ran out of ideas. And I don't know how to calculate the limit... Thank you very much for your help!










share|cite|improve this question















So I have the following problem:
$ x_0 = 1 , x_1 = 2 , $and $x_{n+1} = 2x_n + x_{n-1} $for $ n geq 1.$



Show that: $hspace{2mm} lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} $ exists.



Then show that the Limit is equal to $sqrt{2}-1$.



For this I thought i could use the fact that $x_n$ is bounded and I thought that it was monotonically falling, but that is not the case, so I ran out of ideas. And I don't know how to calculate the limit... Thank you very much for your help!







sequences-and-series limits






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edited 2 days ago









Tianlalu

2,709632




2,709632










asked 2 days ago









M-S-R

435




435












  • Don´t forget to mark an answer as accepted!!! Have a look at your other questions as well. Then your "$textrm{Thank you very much for your help!}$" is more credible.
    – callculus
    yesterday




















  • Don´t forget to mark an answer as accepted!!! Have a look at your other questions as well. Then your "$textrm{Thank you very much for your help!}$" is more credible.
    – callculus
    yesterday


















Don´t forget to mark an answer as accepted!!! Have a look at your other questions as well. Then your "$textrm{Thank you very much for your help!}$" is more credible.
– callculus
yesterday






Don´t forget to mark an answer as accepted!!! Have a look at your other questions as well. Then your "$textrm{Thank you very much for your help!}$" is more credible.
– callculus
yesterday












8 Answers
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Without guessing the limit you may proceed as follows:




  • Set $q_n = frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$
    $$Rightarrow x_{n+1} = 2x_n + x_{n-1} Leftrightarrow frac{1}{q_n} = 2+q_{n-1}Leftrightarrow q_n = frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}}$$


Now, it follows
$$|q_{n+1} - q_n| = left|frac{1}{2+q_{n}} - frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}} right| = left|frac{q_{n-1} - q_n}{(color{blue}{2}+q_{n})(color{blue}{2}+q_{n-1})}right|$$ $$< frac{1}{color{blue}{2cdot 2}}left|q_{n-1} - q_{n} right| stackrel{mbox{see below}}{Rightarrow} boxed{(q_n) mbox{ is convergent}}$$



So, we get for the limit
$$L =frac{1}{2+L} Leftrightarrow (L+1)^2=2 stackrel{L>0}{Rightarrow}boxed{L = sqrt{2}-1}$$



Edit after comment:



Additional info concerning the convergence of the sequence:




  • $q_{n+1} = q_1 + sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$

  • The sums converge (absolutely) as $|q_{k+1} -q_k| < left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1}|q_2 - q_1|$ since

  • $left|sum_{k=1}^{infty}(q_{k+1} -q_k) right| leq sum_{k=1}^{infty}|q_{k+1} -q_k| < |q_2 - q_1|sum_{k=1}^{infty} left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1} < infty$

  • As $s_n = sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$ converges, it follows that $q_{n+1} =q_1 + s_n$ converges






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  • I can't understand how you did get the $;<;$ inequality in your center line, and the conclusion that $;q_n;$ is convergent follows but not that immediate: some work there is still due (you can leave it that way but, perhaps, remark that still something must be done)
    – DonAntonio
    2 days ago










  • Nice. Now that inequality is clear...since $;q_n;$ is always positive. The deduction that $;q_n;$ is convergent can now be safely left to the OP (inductive argument). +1
    – DonAntonio
    2 days ago










  • The Edit is fine, yet something more must, imo, be added: there are sequences $;a_n;$ such that $;|a_{n+1}-a_n|to0;$ yet the limit of the sequence does not exist finitely (i.e., the sequence isn't Cauchy). If you leave the above as it is it could mean like you're doing this...
    – DonAntonio
    2 days ago










  • @DonAntonio : Now, the OP has (almost) no work left :-)
    – trancelocation
    2 days ago










  • Oh, he does...yet he asked for help, so at least to remind this. Perhaps something like "From this we can deduce the sequence is Cauchy and..."
    – DonAntonio
    2 days ago




















up vote
4
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We have the general term. With it, the existence and the value for the limit are proven.



For some values of $A$ and $B$ we have.



$$x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$$



$$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}$$



$$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}$$



$$L=dfrac{0+B}{0+B(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$$



(the $0$'s come from the exponentials with base less that $1$, as they go to zero as the exponent goes to infinity)



No mind what values for $A$ and $B$ we have, so is, the limit is that, irrespective of the values for $x_1$ and $x_2$.



Added
Suppose the sequence has this form $x_n=A·r^n$ and check if it is possible for $r$ and $A$ to meet the conditions the recurrence law imposes:



$A·r^{n+1}=2A·r^n+A·r^{n-1}$ or $A·r^2r^{n-1}=A2·r·r^{n-1}+Ar^{n-1}$



But obviously $Aneq0$ and $rneq0$, so we can simplify and $r$ must satisfy:



$r^2-2r-1=0$ with roots $1-sqrt{2}$ and $1+sqrt{2}$



But the equation is linear, thus a linear combination of solutions is too a solution:



$x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$






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  • 1




    How do you know that $A$ and $B$ (not depending on $n$) exist?
    – Kavi Rama Murthy
    2 days ago










  • The linear recurrence laws are always combination of exponentials with the bases the roots of the equation formed with the terms: $r^2-2r-1=0$ in this case.
    – Rafa Budría
    2 days ago








  • 5




    @RafaBudría Kavi, you, and I know that . But it may not be obvious to the question author.
    – Martin R
    2 days ago










  • @MartinR I was thinking of that, but my son, in first course in university is said that property. I supposed it known. Anyway, I can suplement my answer.
    – Rafa Budría
    2 days ago






  • 1




    @YadatiKiran. We get $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}$, but $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{(1+sqrt{2})(sqrt{2}-1)}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{2-1}=sqrt{2}-1$
    – Rafa Budría
    2 days ago


















up vote
2
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We have $x_n$ to be monotonically increasing and since $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}=2+dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$, we can say $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}<3$ as $dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}<1$ (monotoniclly increasing)$,:forall:ngeq1$. So $x_n$ is convergent.



Let $x_n=Acdot a^n,:aneq0$. The recurrence relation becomes $$ Acdot a^{n+1}=2Acdot a^n+Acdot a^{n-1}implies Acdot a^{n-1}(a^2-2a-1)=0underset{substack{Aneq0\aneq0}}{implies} a^2-2a-1=0$$



By quadratic formula, $a=dfrac{2pmsqrt{4+4}}{2}=1pmsqrt{2}$. Since $x_n$'s are non negative, we have $a=displaystyle lim_{ntoinfty}x_n=1+sqrt{2}$
$rule{17cm}{0.5pt}$



$x_n=A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n$ where $A,B$ are independent of $n$ by linear recurrence.



So if $L=displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1-sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}=dfrac{A}{A(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$.



$left(text{Since}: |1-sqrt{2}|<1implies displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}(1-sqrt{2})^nto0right)$.



To show that the limit $displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$ exists we see that it is bounded since $$0<dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}}=dfrac12 $$
and $x_{n+1}geq2x_nimplies x_{n+1}geq x_n$ which gives $dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ i.e.$dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}-dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n}}leqdfrac{x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ which shows monotonicity.Hence the limit exists.






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  • Wrong. The sequence of ratios is not monotonic. $x_1=1$, $x_2=2$, $x_3=5$, $x_4=12$, $x_5=29$ et cetera. Check for yourself that $x_3/x_2$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$ but also $x_5/x_4$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$. Those ratios jump around the limit approaching it from both sides.
    – Jyrki Lahtonen
    yesterday










  • @JyrkiLahtonen: I was talking of the sequence ${x_n}$ not the sequence of ratios. I have tried to show the limit of the sequence ${x_n}$ and then tried to estimate the limit of the sequence of ratios.
    – Yadati Kiran
    yesterday












  • Ok. But $(x_n)$ being monotonic does not imply that $(x_{n-1}/x_n)$ converges. Neither does $(x_n)$, so exactly what are you trying to say in the first paragraph?
    – Jyrki Lahtonen
    yesterday












  • I never said that. I have assumed that the limit exists but yes I agree I have to show it does. The answer is incomplete.
    – Yadati Kiran
    yesterday












  • Ok. I do approve of your solution of actually solving the recurrence. That does provide the rigor (if you show that $Aneq0$). Adding my upvote. IMHO your answer would be better without that first paragraph :-)
    – Jyrki Lahtonen
    yesterday




















up vote
1
down vote













One trick is to use the given limit to derive the existence of it.



Write $y_n=frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$.




Claim: There exists $rin (0,1)$ such that
$$(sqrt 2-1)-y_nle rbig(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).$$




Proof: Rearranging the terms,
begin{align*}
underbrace{frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}}_{=1/ {y_n}}-1&=underbrace{frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}}_{=y_{n-1}}+1\
frac 1{y_n}-(sqrt2+1)&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
frac 1{y_n}-frac1{sqrt2-1}&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
(sqrt 2-1)-y_n&=underbrace{y_n(sqrt2-1)}_{in(0,1)}big(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).
end{align*}

so the claim is true. $square$



Therefore,
begin{align*}
|y_n-(sqrt2-1)|&le r |y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)|le r^2 |y_{n-2}-(sqrt2-1)|lecdots\
&le r^{n}|y_0-(sqrt2-1)|to0,
end{align*}

implies the limit exists, and $limlimits_{ntoinfty}y_n=sqrt2-1$.






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    Look at $x_n/x_{n+1} - x_{n-1}/x_n$ which is $(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})/x_n x_{n-1}$.
    We can prove by induction that the numerator is $(-1)^n$.
    $$x_{n+1}^2 - x_n x_{n+2}
    = x_{n+1}^2 - x_n(2x_{n+1} + x_n)
    = x_{n+1}(x_{n+1} - 2x_n) - x_n^2
    = -(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})$$

    with $x_1^2 - x_0x_2 = -1$. Hence $x_n/x_{n+1}$ tends to a limit by the alternating series test.






    share|cite|improve this answer





















    • You may want to use frac{}{} to write fractions more clearly.
      – DonAntonio
      2 days ago


















    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Since $x_n$ is increasing, all the terms become non-zero. By defining $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}$ we have $${x_nover x_{n+1}}={x_nover 2x_n+x_{n-1}}={1over 2+{x_{n-1}over {x_n}}}$$therefore $$a_n={1over 2+{ a_{n-1}}}$$Now by defining $b_n=a_n-(sqrt 2-1)$ we have $$b_n+sqrt 2-1={1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}$$therefore $$b_n=-sqrt 2+1+{1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}={(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}$$since $x_n>0$ we have $a_n>0$ therefore$$|b_n|=|{(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}|le {sqrt 2-1over 2}|b_{n-1}|$$which means that $b_n to 0$ or $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}to sqrt 2-1 quadblacksquare$






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      up vote
      -1
      down vote













      We have that



      $$frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n} = 2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$$



      then by



      $$y_n=frac{x_{n}}{x_{n-1}} implies y_{n+1}=2+frac1{y_n }quad y_0=2$$



      which converges to $L=sqrt 2+1$ and then



      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{y_{n+1}}=frac1L=sqrt 2 -1$$






      share|cite|improve this answer



















      • 1




        It seems $y_n$ is 'alternating', i.e. increasing/decreasing when $n$ even and decreasing/increasing when $n$ odd.
        – Tianlalu
        2 days ago






      • 2




        Why $;y_n;$ is increasing and bounded?
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • @DonAntonio Yes I need to clarify that point better! Thanks
        – gimusi
        2 days ago


















      up vote
      -1
      down vote













      Let



      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = lim_{nto infty} frac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n1}} = k$$



      Now



      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k$$
      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{2x_{n} + x_{n-1}} = k$$



      Take $x_n$ out from numerator and denominator
      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}} = k$$



      Using the first equation



      $$ frac{1}{2 + k} = k$$
      $$k^2+2k-1=0$$
      This gives two solutions $k=sqrt{2}-1$ and $k=-sqrt{2}-1$. Since none of the terms can be negative, we reject . the second solution thereby giving us



      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k = sqrt2 - 1$$



      EDIT - As suggested by the commenter we need to prove that it is a finite limit before we start with the proof. Initially it's a $frac{infty}{infty}$ form as both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ approach $infty$ as $n$ approaches $infty$. I'll use a finite upper bound to show that the limit is finite which means it exists.



      For any $n$



      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} =frac{x_n}{2x_n + x_{n-1}}$$



      As $x_{n-1}$ is always a positive quantity
      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{x_n}{2x_n}$$
      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{1}{2}$$



      For any $n$, you can take the last statement to prove the monotonicity as
      $$x_{n+1}geq x_n$$
      And since both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ are positive values, the lower bound is $0$. The upper bound along with lower bound and the monotonicity proves that the limit is finite.






      share|cite|improve this answer



















      • 3




        This seems to be the less hard part of the question. The hardest part is to prove the limit exists...
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago






      • 1




        Is there any way to independently do that ?
        – Sauhard Sharma
        2 days ago










      • Why can you write the first line? why is the limit of $frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$ ?
        – M-S-R
        2 days ago












      • @SauhardSharma It better is, otherwise your whole answer is invalid as you can use arithmetic of limits only if you know that the limit exists finitely, otherwise you can't. You can try induction, for example, to prove monotonicity or something like that
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago












      • @DonAntonio Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I think the edited proof should suffice
        – Sauhard Sharma
        2 days ago











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      8 Answers
      8






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      8 Answers
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      up vote
      8
      down vote



      accepted










      Without guessing the limit you may proceed as follows:




      • Set $q_n = frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$
        $$Rightarrow x_{n+1} = 2x_n + x_{n-1} Leftrightarrow frac{1}{q_n} = 2+q_{n-1}Leftrightarrow q_n = frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}}$$


      Now, it follows
      $$|q_{n+1} - q_n| = left|frac{1}{2+q_{n}} - frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}} right| = left|frac{q_{n-1} - q_n}{(color{blue}{2}+q_{n})(color{blue}{2}+q_{n-1})}right|$$ $$< frac{1}{color{blue}{2cdot 2}}left|q_{n-1} - q_{n} right| stackrel{mbox{see below}}{Rightarrow} boxed{(q_n) mbox{ is convergent}}$$



      So, we get for the limit
      $$L =frac{1}{2+L} Leftrightarrow (L+1)^2=2 stackrel{L>0}{Rightarrow}boxed{L = sqrt{2}-1}$$



      Edit after comment:



      Additional info concerning the convergence of the sequence:




      • $q_{n+1} = q_1 + sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$

      • The sums converge (absolutely) as $|q_{k+1} -q_k| < left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1}|q_2 - q_1|$ since

      • $left|sum_{k=1}^{infty}(q_{k+1} -q_k) right| leq sum_{k=1}^{infty}|q_{k+1} -q_k| < |q_2 - q_1|sum_{k=1}^{infty} left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1} < infty$

      • As $s_n = sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$ converges, it follows that $q_{n+1} =q_1 + s_n$ converges






      share|cite|improve this answer























      • I can't understand how you did get the $;<;$ inequality in your center line, and the conclusion that $;q_n;$ is convergent follows but not that immediate: some work there is still due (you can leave it that way but, perhaps, remark that still something must be done)
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • Nice. Now that inequality is clear...since $;q_n;$ is always positive. The deduction that $;q_n;$ is convergent can now be safely left to the OP (inductive argument). +1
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • The Edit is fine, yet something more must, imo, be added: there are sequences $;a_n;$ such that $;|a_{n+1}-a_n|to0;$ yet the limit of the sequence does not exist finitely (i.e., the sequence isn't Cauchy). If you leave the above as it is it could mean like you're doing this...
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • @DonAntonio : Now, the OP has (almost) no work left :-)
        – trancelocation
        2 days ago










      • Oh, he does...yet he asked for help, so at least to remind this. Perhaps something like "From this we can deduce the sequence is Cauchy and..."
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago

















      up vote
      8
      down vote



      accepted










      Without guessing the limit you may proceed as follows:




      • Set $q_n = frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$
        $$Rightarrow x_{n+1} = 2x_n + x_{n-1} Leftrightarrow frac{1}{q_n} = 2+q_{n-1}Leftrightarrow q_n = frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}}$$


      Now, it follows
      $$|q_{n+1} - q_n| = left|frac{1}{2+q_{n}} - frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}} right| = left|frac{q_{n-1} - q_n}{(color{blue}{2}+q_{n})(color{blue}{2}+q_{n-1})}right|$$ $$< frac{1}{color{blue}{2cdot 2}}left|q_{n-1} - q_{n} right| stackrel{mbox{see below}}{Rightarrow} boxed{(q_n) mbox{ is convergent}}$$



      So, we get for the limit
      $$L =frac{1}{2+L} Leftrightarrow (L+1)^2=2 stackrel{L>0}{Rightarrow}boxed{L = sqrt{2}-1}$$



      Edit after comment:



      Additional info concerning the convergence of the sequence:




      • $q_{n+1} = q_1 + sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$

      • The sums converge (absolutely) as $|q_{k+1} -q_k| < left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1}|q_2 - q_1|$ since

      • $left|sum_{k=1}^{infty}(q_{k+1} -q_k) right| leq sum_{k=1}^{infty}|q_{k+1} -q_k| < |q_2 - q_1|sum_{k=1}^{infty} left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1} < infty$

      • As $s_n = sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$ converges, it follows that $q_{n+1} =q_1 + s_n$ converges






      share|cite|improve this answer























      • I can't understand how you did get the $;<;$ inequality in your center line, and the conclusion that $;q_n;$ is convergent follows but not that immediate: some work there is still due (you can leave it that way but, perhaps, remark that still something must be done)
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • Nice. Now that inequality is clear...since $;q_n;$ is always positive. The deduction that $;q_n;$ is convergent can now be safely left to the OP (inductive argument). +1
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • The Edit is fine, yet something more must, imo, be added: there are sequences $;a_n;$ such that $;|a_{n+1}-a_n|to0;$ yet the limit of the sequence does not exist finitely (i.e., the sequence isn't Cauchy). If you leave the above as it is it could mean like you're doing this...
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • @DonAntonio : Now, the OP has (almost) no work left :-)
        – trancelocation
        2 days ago










      • Oh, he does...yet he asked for help, so at least to remind this. Perhaps something like "From this we can deduce the sequence is Cauchy and..."
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago















      up vote
      8
      down vote



      accepted







      up vote
      8
      down vote



      accepted






      Without guessing the limit you may proceed as follows:




      • Set $q_n = frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$
        $$Rightarrow x_{n+1} = 2x_n + x_{n-1} Leftrightarrow frac{1}{q_n} = 2+q_{n-1}Leftrightarrow q_n = frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}}$$


      Now, it follows
      $$|q_{n+1} - q_n| = left|frac{1}{2+q_{n}} - frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}} right| = left|frac{q_{n-1} - q_n}{(color{blue}{2}+q_{n})(color{blue}{2}+q_{n-1})}right|$$ $$< frac{1}{color{blue}{2cdot 2}}left|q_{n-1} - q_{n} right| stackrel{mbox{see below}}{Rightarrow} boxed{(q_n) mbox{ is convergent}}$$



      So, we get for the limit
      $$L =frac{1}{2+L} Leftrightarrow (L+1)^2=2 stackrel{L>0}{Rightarrow}boxed{L = sqrt{2}-1}$$



      Edit after comment:



      Additional info concerning the convergence of the sequence:




      • $q_{n+1} = q_1 + sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$

      • The sums converge (absolutely) as $|q_{k+1} -q_k| < left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1}|q_2 - q_1|$ since

      • $left|sum_{k=1}^{infty}(q_{k+1} -q_k) right| leq sum_{k=1}^{infty}|q_{k+1} -q_k| < |q_2 - q_1|sum_{k=1}^{infty} left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1} < infty$

      • As $s_n = sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$ converges, it follows that $q_{n+1} =q_1 + s_n$ converges






      share|cite|improve this answer














      Without guessing the limit you may proceed as follows:




      • Set $q_n = frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$
        $$Rightarrow x_{n+1} = 2x_n + x_{n-1} Leftrightarrow frac{1}{q_n} = 2+q_{n-1}Leftrightarrow q_n = frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}}$$


      Now, it follows
      $$|q_{n+1} - q_n| = left|frac{1}{2+q_{n}} - frac{1}{2+q_{n-1}} right| = left|frac{q_{n-1} - q_n}{(color{blue}{2}+q_{n})(color{blue}{2}+q_{n-1})}right|$$ $$< frac{1}{color{blue}{2cdot 2}}left|q_{n-1} - q_{n} right| stackrel{mbox{see below}}{Rightarrow} boxed{(q_n) mbox{ is convergent}}$$



      So, we get for the limit
      $$L =frac{1}{2+L} Leftrightarrow (L+1)^2=2 stackrel{L>0}{Rightarrow}boxed{L = sqrt{2}-1}$$



      Edit after comment:



      Additional info concerning the convergence of the sequence:




      • $q_{n+1} = q_1 + sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$

      • The sums converge (absolutely) as $|q_{k+1} -q_k| < left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1}|q_2 - q_1|$ since

      • $left|sum_{k=1}^{infty}(q_{k+1} -q_k) right| leq sum_{k=1}^{infty}|q_{k+1} -q_k| < |q_2 - q_1|sum_{k=1}^{infty} left( frac{1}{4}right)^{k-1} < infty$

      • As $s_n = sum_{k=1}^n(q_{k+1} -q_k)$ converges, it follows that $q_{n+1} =q_1 + s_n$ converges







      share|cite|improve this answer














      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer








      edited 2 days ago

























      answered 2 days ago









      trancelocation

      8,3691520




      8,3691520












      • I can't understand how you did get the $;<;$ inequality in your center line, and the conclusion that $;q_n;$ is convergent follows but not that immediate: some work there is still due (you can leave it that way but, perhaps, remark that still something must be done)
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • Nice. Now that inequality is clear...since $;q_n;$ is always positive. The deduction that $;q_n;$ is convergent can now be safely left to the OP (inductive argument). +1
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • The Edit is fine, yet something more must, imo, be added: there are sequences $;a_n;$ such that $;|a_{n+1}-a_n|to0;$ yet the limit of the sequence does not exist finitely (i.e., the sequence isn't Cauchy). If you leave the above as it is it could mean like you're doing this...
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • @DonAntonio : Now, the OP has (almost) no work left :-)
        – trancelocation
        2 days ago










      • Oh, he does...yet he asked for help, so at least to remind this. Perhaps something like "From this we can deduce the sequence is Cauchy and..."
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago




















      • I can't understand how you did get the $;<;$ inequality in your center line, and the conclusion that $;q_n;$ is convergent follows but not that immediate: some work there is still due (you can leave it that way but, perhaps, remark that still something must be done)
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • Nice. Now that inequality is clear...since $;q_n;$ is always positive. The deduction that $;q_n;$ is convergent can now be safely left to the OP (inductive argument). +1
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • The Edit is fine, yet something more must, imo, be added: there are sequences $;a_n;$ such that $;|a_{n+1}-a_n|to0;$ yet the limit of the sequence does not exist finitely (i.e., the sequence isn't Cauchy). If you leave the above as it is it could mean like you're doing this...
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago










      • @DonAntonio : Now, the OP has (almost) no work left :-)
        – trancelocation
        2 days ago










      • Oh, he does...yet he asked for help, so at least to remind this. Perhaps something like "From this we can deduce the sequence is Cauchy and..."
        – DonAntonio
        2 days ago


















      I can't understand how you did get the $;<;$ inequality in your center line, and the conclusion that $;q_n;$ is convergent follows but not that immediate: some work there is still due (you can leave it that way but, perhaps, remark that still something must be done)
      – DonAntonio
      2 days ago




      I can't understand how you did get the $;<;$ inequality in your center line, and the conclusion that $;q_n;$ is convergent follows but not that immediate: some work there is still due (you can leave it that way but, perhaps, remark that still something must be done)
      – DonAntonio
      2 days ago












      Nice. Now that inequality is clear...since $;q_n;$ is always positive. The deduction that $;q_n;$ is convergent can now be safely left to the OP (inductive argument). +1
      – DonAntonio
      2 days ago




      Nice. Now that inequality is clear...since $;q_n;$ is always positive. The deduction that $;q_n;$ is convergent can now be safely left to the OP (inductive argument). +1
      – DonAntonio
      2 days ago












      The Edit is fine, yet something more must, imo, be added: there are sequences $;a_n;$ such that $;|a_{n+1}-a_n|to0;$ yet the limit of the sequence does not exist finitely (i.e., the sequence isn't Cauchy). If you leave the above as it is it could mean like you're doing this...
      – DonAntonio
      2 days ago




      The Edit is fine, yet something more must, imo, be added: there are sequences $;a_n;$ such that $;|a_{n+1}-a_n|to0;$ yet the limit of the sequence does not exist finitely (i.e., the sequence isn't Cauchy). If you leave the above as it is it could mean like you're doing this...
      – DonAntonio
      2 days ago












      @DonAntonio : Now, the OP has (almost) no work left :-)
      – trancelocation
      2 days ago




      @DonAntonio : Now, the OP has (almost) no work left :-)
      – trancelocation
      2 days ago












      Oh, he does...yet he asked for help, so at least to remind this. Perhaps something like "From this we can deduce the sequence is Cauchy and..."
      – DonAntonio
      2 days ago






      Oh, he does...yet he asked for help, so at least to remind this. Perhaps something like "From this we can deduce the sequence is Cauchy and..."
      – DonAntonio
      2 days ago












      up vote
      4
      down vote













      We have the general term. With it, the existence and the value for the limit are proven.



      For some values of $A$ and $B$ we have.



      $$x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$$



      $$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}$$



      $$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}$$



      $$L=dfrac{0+B}{0+B(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$$



      (the $0$'s come from the exponentials with base less that $1$, as they go to zero as the exponent goes to infinity)



      No mind what values for $A$ and $B$ we have, so is, the limit is that, irrespective of the values for $x_1$ and $x_2$.



      Added
      Suppose the sequence has this form $x_n=A·r^n$ and check if it is possible for $r$ and $A$ to meet the conditions the recurrence law imposes:



      $A·r^{n+1}=2A·r^n+A·r^{n-1}$ or $A·r^2r^{n-1}=A2·r·r^{n-1}+Ar^{n-1}$



      But obviously $Aneq0$ and $rneq0$, so we can simplify and $r$ must satisfy:



      $r^2-2r-1=0$ with roots $1-sqrt{2}$ and $1+sqrt{2}$



      But the equation is linear, thus a linear combination of solutions is too a solution:



      $x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$






      share|cite|improve this answer



















      • 1




        How do you know that $A$ and $B$ (not depending on $n$) exist?
        – Kavi Rama Murthy
        2 days ago










      • The linear recurrence laws are always combination of exponentials with the bases the roots of the equation formed with the terms: $r^2-2r-1=0$ in this case.
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago








      • 5




        @RafaBudría Kavi, you, and I know that . But it may not be obvious to the question author.
        – Martin R
        2 days ago










      • @MartinR I was thinking of that, but my son, in first course in university is said that property. I supposed it known. Anyway, I can suplement my answer.
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago






      • 1




        @YadatiKiran. We get $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}$, but $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{(1+sqrt{2})(sqrt{2}-1)}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{2-1}=sqrt{2}-1$
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago















      up vote
      4
      down vote













      We have the general term. With it, the existence and the value for the limit are proven.



      For some values of $A$ and $B$ we have.



      $$x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$$



      $$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}$$



      $$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}$$



      $$L=dfrac{0+B}{0+B(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$$



      (the $0$'s come from the exponentials with base less that $1$, as they go to zero as the exponent goes to infinity)



      No mind what values for $A$ and $B$ we have, so is, the limit is that, irrespective of the values for $x_1$ and $x_2$.



      Added
      Suppose the sequence has this form $x_n=A·r^n$ and check if it is possible for $r$ and $A$ to meet the conditions the recurrence law imposes:



      $A·r^{n+1}=2A·r^n+A·r^{n-1}$ or $A·r^2r^{n-1}=A2·r·r^{n-1}+Ar^{n-1}$



      But obviously $Aneq0$ and $rneq0$, so we can simplify and $r$ must satisfy:



      $r^2-2r-1=0$ with roots $1-sqrt{2}$ and $1+sqrt{2}$



      But the equation is linear, thus a linear combination of solutions is too a solution:



      $x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$






      share|cite|improve this answer



















      • 1




        How do you know that $A$ and $B$ (not depending on $n$) exist?
        – Kavi Rama Murthy
        2 days ago










      • The linear recurrence laws are always combination of exponentials with the bases the roots of the equation formed with the terms: $r^2-2r-1=0$ in this case.
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago








      • 5




        @RafaBudría Kavi, you, and I know that . But it may not be obvious to the question author.
        – Martin R
        2 days ago










      • @MartinR I was thinking of that, but my son, in first course in university is said that property. I supposed it known. Anyway, I can suplement my answer.
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago






      • 1




        @YadatiKiran. We get $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}$, but $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{(1+sqrt{2})(sqrt{2}-1)}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{2-1}=sqrt{2}-1$
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago













      up vote
      4
      down vote










      up vote
      4
      down vote









      We have the general term. With it, the existence and the value for the limit are proven.



      For some values of $A$ and $B$ we have.



      $$x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$$



      $$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}$$



      $$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}$$



      $$L=dfrac{0+B}{0+B(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$$



      (the $0$'s come from the exponentials with base less that $1$, as they go to zero as the exponent goes to infinity)



      No mind what values for $A$ and $B$ we have, so is, the limit is that, irrespective of the values for $x_1$ and $x_2$.



      Added
      Suppose the sequence has this form $x_n=A·r^n$ and check if it is possible for $r$ and $A$ to meet the conditions the recurrence law imposes:



      $A·r^{n+1}=2A·r^n+A·r^{n-1}$ or $A·r^2r^{n-1}=A2·r·r^{n-1}+Ar^{n-1}$



      But obviously $Aneq0$ and $rneq0$, so we can simplify and $r$ must satisfy:



      $r^2-2r-1=0$ with roots $1-sqrt{2}$ and $1+sqrt{2}$



      But the equation is linear, thus a linear combination of solutions is too a solution:



      $x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$






      share|cite|improve this answer














      We have the general term. With it, the existence and the value for the limit are proven.



      For some values of $A$ and $B$ we have.



      $$x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$$



      $$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}$$



      $$L=lim_{nto+infty}dfrac{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1+sqrt{2})^n}}$$



      $$L=dfrac{0+B}{0+B(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$$



      (the $0$'s come from the exponentials with base less that $1$, as they go to zero as the exponent goes to infinity)



      No mind what values for $A$ and $B$ we have, so is, the limit is that, irrespective of the values for $x_1$ and $x_2$.



      Added
      Suppose the sequence has this form $x_n=A·r^n$ and check if it is possible for $r$ and $A$ to meet the conditions the recurrence law imposes:



      $A·r^{n+1}=2A·r^n+A·r^{n-1}$ or $A·r^2r^{n-1}=A2·r·r^{n-1}+Ar^{n-1}$



      But obviously $Aneq0$ and $rneq0$, so we can simplify and $r$ must satisfy:



      $r^2-2r-1=0$ with roots $1-sqrt{2}$ and $1+sqrt{2}$



      But the equation is linear, thus a linear combination of solutions is too a solution:



      $x_n=A(1-sqrt{2})^n+B(1+sqrt{2})^n$







      share|cite|improve this answer














      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer








      edited 2 days ago

























      answered 2 days ago









      Rafa Budría

      5,3751825




      5,3751825








      • 1




        How do you know that $A$ and $B$ (not depending on $n$) exist?
        – Kavi Rama Murthy
        2 days ago










      • The linear recurrence laws are always combination of exponentials with the bases the roots of the equation formed with the terms: $r^2-2r-1=0$ in this case.
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago








      • 5




        @RafaBudría Kavi, you, and I know that . But it may not be obvious to the question author.
        – Martin R
        2 days ago










      • @MartinR I was thinking of that, but my son, in first course in university is said that property. I supposed it known. Anyway, I can suplement my answer.
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago






      • 1




        @YadatiKiran. We get $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}$, but $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{(1+sqrt{2})(sqrt{2}-1)}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{2-1}=sqrt{2}-1$
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago














      • 1




        How do you know that $A$ and $B$ (not depending on $n$) exist?
        – Kavi Rama Murthy
        2 days ago










      • The linear recurrence laws are always combination of exponentials with the bases the roots of the equation formed with the terms: $r^2-2r-1=0$ in this case.
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago








      • 5




        @RafaBudría Kavi, you, and I know that . But it may not be obvious to the question author.
        – Martin R
        2 days ago










      • @MartinR I was thinking of that, but my son, in first course in university is said that property. I supposed it known. Anyway, I can suplement my answer.
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago






      • 1




        @YadatiKiran. We get $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}$, but $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{(1+sqrt{2})(sqrt{2}-1)}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{2-1}=sqrt{2}-1$
        – Rafa Budría
        2 days ago








      1




      1




      How do you know that $A$ and $B$ (not depending on $n$) exist?
      – Kavi Rama Murthy
      2 days ago




      How do you know that $A$ and $B$ (not depending on $n$) exist?
      – Kavi Rama Murthy
      2 days ago












      The linear recurrence laws are always combination of exponentials with the bases the roots of the equation formed with the terms: $r^2-2r-1=0$ in this case.
      – Rafa Budría
      2 days ago






      The linear recurrence laws are always combination of exponentials with the bases the roots of the equation formed with the terms: $r^2-2r-1=0$ in this case.
      – Rafa Budría
      2 days ago






      5




      5




      @RafaBudría Kavi, you, and I know that . But it may not be obvious to the question author.
      – Martin R
      2 days ago




      @RafaBudría Kavi, you, and I know that . But it may not be obvious to the question author.
      – Martin R
      2 days ago












      @MartinR I was thinking of that, but my son, in first course in university is said that property. I supposed it known. Anyway, I can suplement my answer.
      – Rafa Budría
      2 days ago




      @MartinR I was thinking of that, but my son, in first course in university is said that property. I supposed it known. Anyway, I can suplement my answer.
      – Rafa Budría
      2 days ago




      1




      1




      @YadatiKiran. We get $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}$, but $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{(1+sqrt{2})(sqrt{2}-1)}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{2-1}=sqrt{2}-1$
      – Rafa Budría
      2 days ago




      @YadatiKiran. We get $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}$, but $dfrac{1}{1+sqrt{2}}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{(1+sqrt{2})(sqrt{2}-1)}=dfrac{sqrt{2}-1}{2-1}=sqrt{2}-1$
      – Rafa Budría
      2 days ago










      up vote
      2
      down vote













      We have $x_n$ to be monotonically increasing and since $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}=2+dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$, we can say $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}<3$ as $dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}<1$ (monotoniclly increasing)$,:forall:ngeq1$. So $x_n$ is convergent.



      Let $x_n=Acdot a^n,:aneq0$. The recurrence relation becomes $$ Acdot a^{n+1}=2Acdot a^n+Acdot a^{n-1}implies Acdot a^{n-1}(a^2-2a-1)=0underset{substack{Aneq0\aneq0}}{implies} a^2-2a-1=0$$



      By quadratic formula, $a=dfrac{2pmsqrt{4+4}}{2}=1pmsqrt{2}$. Since $x_n$'s are non negative, we have $a=displaystyle lim_{ntoinfty}x_n=1+sqrt{2}$
      $rule{17cm}{0.5pt}$



      $x_n=A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n$ where $A,B$ are independent of $n$ by linear recurrence.



      So if $L=displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1-sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}=dfrac{A}{A(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$.



      $left(text{Since}: |1-sqrt{2}|<1implies displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}(1-sqrt{2})^nto0right)$.



      To show that the limit $displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$ exists we see that it is bounded since $$0<dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}}=dfrac12 $$
      and $x_{n+1}geq2x_nimplies x_{n+1}geq x_n$ which gives $dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ i.e.$dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}-dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n}}leqdfrac{x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ which shows monotonicity.Hence the limit exists.






      share|cite|improve this answer























      • Wrong. The sequence of ratios is not monotonic. $x_1=1$, $x_2=2$, $x_3=5$, $x_4=12$, $x_5=29$ et cetera. Check for yourself that $x_3/x_2$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$ but also $x_5/x_4$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$. Those ratios jump around the limit approaching it from both sides.
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday










      • @JyrkiLahtonen: I was talking of the sequence ${x_n}$ not the sequence of ratios. I have tried to show the limit of the sequence ${x_n}$ and then tried to estimate the limit of the sequence of ratios.
        – Yadati Kiran
        yesterday












      • Ok. But $(x_n)$ being monotonic does not imply that $(x_{n-1}/x_n)$ converges. Neither does $(x_n)$, so exactly what are you trying to say in the first paragraph?
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday












      • I never said that. I have assumed that the limit exists but yes I agree I have to show it does. The answer is incomplete.
        – Yadati Kiran
        yesterday












      • Ok. I do approve of your solution of actually solving the recurrence. That does provide the rigor (if you show that $Aneq0$). Adding my upvote. IMHO your answer would be better without that first paragraph :-)
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday

















      up vote
      2
      down vote













      We have $x_n$ to be monotonically increasing and since $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}=2+dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$, we can say $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}<3$ as $dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}<1$ (monotoniclly increasing)$,:forall:ngeq1$. So $x_n$ is convergent.



      Let $x_n=Acdot a^n,:aneq0$. The recurrence relation becomes $$ Acdot a^{n+1}=2Acdot a^n+Acdot a^{n-1}implies Acdot a^{n-1}(a^2-2a-1)=0underset{substack{Aneq0\aneq0}}{implies} a^2-2a-1=0$$



      By quadratic formula, $a=dfrac{2pmsqrt{4+4}}{2}=1pmsqrt{2}$. Since $x_n$'s are non negative, we have $a=displaystyle lim_{ntoinfty}x_n=1+sqrt{2}$
      $rule{17cm}{0.5pt}$



      $x_n=A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n$ where $A,B$ are independent of $n$ by linear recurrence.



      So if $L=displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1-sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}=dfrac{A}{A(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$.



      $left(text{Since}: |1-sqrt{2}|<1implies displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}(1-sqrt{2})^nto0right)$.



      To show that the limit $displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$ exists we see that it is bounded since $$0<dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}}=dfrac12 $$
      and $x_{n+1}geq2x_nimplies x_{n+1}geq x_n$ which gives $dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ i.e.$dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}-dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n}}leqdfrac{x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ which shows monotonicity.Hence the limit exists.






      share|cite|improve this answer























      • Wrong. The sequence of ratios is not monotonic. $x_1=1$, $x_2=2$, $x_3=5$, $x_4=12$, $x_5=29$ et cetera. Check for yourself that $x_3/x_2$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$ but also $x_5/x_4$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$. Those ratios jump around the limit approaching it from both sides.
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday










      • @JyrkiLahtonen: I was talking of the sequence ${x_n}$ not the sequence of ratios. I have tried to show the limit of the sequence ${x_n}$ and then tried to estimate the limit of the sequence of ratios.
        – Yadati Kiran
        yesterday












      • Ok. But $(x_n)$ being monotonic does not imply that $(x_{n-1}/x_n)$ converges. Neither does $(x_n)$, so exactly what are you trying to say in the first paragraph?
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday












      • I never said that. I have assumed that the limit exists but yes I agree I have to show it does. The answer is incomplete.
        – Yadati Kiran
        yesterday












      • Ok. I do approve of your solution of actually solving the recurrence. That does provide the rigor (if you show that $Aneq0$). Adding my upvote. IMHO your answer would be better without that first paragraph :-)
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday















      up vote
      2
      down vote










      up vote
      2
      down vote









      We have $x_n$ to be monotonically increasing and since $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}=2+dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$, we can say $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}<3$ as $dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}<1$ (monotoniclly increasing)$,:forall:ngeq1$. So $x_n$ is convergent.



      Let $x_n=Acdot a^n,:aneq0$. The recurrence relation becomes $$ Acdot a^{n+1}=2Acdot a^n+Acdot a^{n-1}implies Acdot a^{n-1}(a^2-2a-1)=0underset{substack{Aneq0\aneq0}}{implies} a^2-2a-1=0$$



      By quadratic formula, $a=dfrac{2pmsqrt{4+4}}{2}=1pmsqrt{2}$. Since $x_n$'s are non negative, we have $a=displaystyle lim_{ntoinfty}x_n=1+sqrt{2}$
      $rule{17cm}{0.5pt}$



      $x_n=A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n$ where $A,B$ are independent of $n$ by linear recurrence.



      So if $L=displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1-sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}=dfrac{A}{A(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$.



      $left(text{Since}: |1-sqrt{2}|<1implies displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}(1-sqrt{2})^nto0right)$.



      To show that the limit $displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$ exists we see that it is bounded since $$0<dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}}=dfrac12 $$
      and $x_{n+1}geq2x_nimplies x_{n+1}geq x_n$ which gives $dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ i.e.$dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}-dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n}}leqdfrac{x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ which shows monotonicity.Hence the limit exists.






      share|cite|improve this answer














      We have $x_n$ to be monotonically increasing and since $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}=2+dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$, we can say $dfrac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}<3$ as $dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}<1$ (monotoniclly increasing)$,:forall:ngeq1$. So $x_n$ is convergent.



      Let $x_n=Acdot a^n,:aneq0$. The recurrence relation becomes $$ Acdot a^{n+1}=2Acdot a^n+Acdot a^{n-1}implies Acdot a^{n-1}(a^2-2a-1)=0underset{substack{Aneq0\aneq0}}{implies} a^2-2a-1=0$$



      By quadratic formula, $a=dfrac{2pmsqrt{4+4}}{2}=1pmsqrt{2}$. Since $x_n$'s are non negative, we have $a=displaystyle lim_{ntoinfty}x_n=1+sqrt{2}$
      $rule{17cm}{0.5pt}$



      $x_n=A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n$ where $A,B$ are independent of $n$ by linear recurrence.



      So if $L=displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^n+B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}+B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}=lim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{A+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^n}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}{dfrac{A(1+sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{(1-sqrt{2})^n}+dfrac{B(1-sqrt{2})^{n+1}}{B(1+sqrt{2})^n}}=dfrac{A}{A(1+sqrt{2})}=sqrt{2}-1$.



      $left(text{Since}: |1-sqrt{2}|<1implies displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}(1-sqrt{2})^nto0right)$.



      To show that the limit $displaystylelim_{ntoinfty}dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$ exists we see that it is bounded since $$0<dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{x_n}{2x_{n}}=dfrac12 $$
      and $x_{n+1}geq2x_nimplies x_{n+1}geq x_n$ which gives $dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=dfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}+x_{n-1}}leqdfrac{2x_{n-1}+x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ i.e.$dfrac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}-dfrac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n}}leqdfrac{x_{n-2}}{2x_{n}}$ which shows monotonicity.Hence the limit exists.







      share|cite|improve this answer














      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer








      edited yesterday

























      answered 2 days ago









      Yadati Kiran

      1,280317




      1,280317












      • Wrong. The sequence of ratios is not monotonic. $x_1=1$, $x_2=2$, $x_3=5$, $x_4=12$, $x_5=29$ et cetera. Check for yourself that $x_3/x_2$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$ but also $x_5/x_4$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$. Those ratios jump around the limit approaching it from both sides.
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday










      • @JyrkiLahtonen: I was talking of the sequence ${x_n}$ not the sequence of ratios. I have tried to show the limit of the sequence ${x_n}$ and then tried to estimate the limit of the sequence of ratios.
        – Yadati Kiran
        yesterday












      • Ok. But $(x_n)$ being monotonic does not imply that $(x_{n-1}/x_n)$ converges. Neither does $(x_n)$, so exactly what are you trying to say in the first paragraph?
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday












      • I never said that. I have assumed that the limit exists but yes I agree I have to show it does. The answer is incomplete.
        – Yadati Kiran
        yesterday












      • Ok. I do approve of your solution of actually solving the recurrence. That does provide the rigor (if you show that $Aneq0$). Adding my upvote. IMHO your answer would be better without that first paragraph :-)
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday




















      • Wrong. The sequence of ratios is not monotonic. $x_1=1$, $x_2=2$, $x_3=5$, $x_4=12$, $x_5=29$ et cetera. Check for yourself that $x_3/x_2$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$ but also $x_5/x_4$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$. Those ratios jump around the limit approaching it from both sides.
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday










      • @JyrkiLahtonen: I was talking of the sequence ${x_n}$ not the sequence of ratios. I have tried to show the limit of the sequence ${x_n}$ and then tried to estimate the limit of the sequence of ratios.
        – Yadati Kiran
        yesterday












      • Ok. But $(x_n)$ being monotonic does not imply that $(x_{n-1}/x_n)$ converges. Neither does $(x_n)$, so exactly what are you trying to say in the first paragraph?
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday












      • I never said that. I have assumed that the limit exists but yes I agree I have to show it does. The answer is incomplete.
        – Yadati Kiran
        yesterday












      • Ok. I do approve of your solution of actually solving the recurrence. That does provide the rigor (if you show that $Aneq0$). Adding my upvote. IMHO your answer would be better without that first paragraph :-)
        – Jyrki Lahtonen
        yesterday


















      Wrong. The sequence of ratios is not monotonic. $x_1=1$, $x_2=2$, $x_3=5$, $x_4=12$, $x_5=29$ et cetera. Check for yourself that $x_3/x_2$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$ but also $x_5/x_4$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$. Those ratios jump around the limit approaching it from both sides.
      – Jyrki Lahtonen
      yesterday




      Wrong. The sequence of ratios is not monotonic. $x_1=1$, $x_2=2$, $x_3=5$, $x_4=12$, $x_5=29$ et cetera. Check for yourself that $x_3/x_2$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$ but also $x_5/x_4$ is larger than $x_4/x_3$. Those ratios jump around the limit approaching it from both sides.
      – Jyrki Lahtonen
      yesterday












      @JyrkiLahtonen: I was talking of the sequence ${x_n}$ not the sequence of ratios. I have tried to show the limit of the sequence ${x_n}$ and then tried to estimate the limit of the sequence of ratios.
      – Yadati Kiran
      yesterday






      @JyrkiLahtonen: I was talking of the sequence ${x_n}$ not the sequence of ratios. I have tried to show the limit of the sequence ${x_n}$ and then tried to estimate the limit of the sequence of ratios.
      – Yadati Kiran
      yesterday














      Ok. But $(x_n)$ being monotonic does not imply that $(x_{n-1}/x_n)$ converges. Neither does $(x_n)$, so exactly what are you trying to say in the first paragraph?
      – Jyrki Lahtonen
      yesterday






      Ok. But $(x_n)$ being monotonic does not imply that $(x_{n-1}/x_n)$ converges. Neither does $(x_n)$, so exactly what are you trying to say in the first paragraph?
      – Jyrki Lahtonen
      yesterday














      I never said that. I have assumed that the limit exists but yes I agree I have to show it does. The answer is incomplete.
      – Yadati Kiran
      yesterday






      I never said that. I have assumed that the limit exists but yes I agree I have to show it does. The answer is incomplete.
      – Yadati Kiran
      yesterday














      Ok. I do approve of your solution of actually solving the recurrence. That does provide the rigor (if you show that $Aneq0$). Adding my upvote. IMHO your answer would be better without that first paragraph :-)
      – Jyrki Lahtonen
      yesterday






      Ok. I do approve of your solution of actually solving the recurrence. That does provide the rigor (if you show that $Aneq0$). Adding my upvote. IMHO your answer would be better without that first paragraph :-)
      – Jyrki Lahtonen
      yesterday












      up vote
      1
      down vote













      One trick is to use the given limit to derive the existence of it.



      Write $y_n=frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$.




      Claim: There exists $rin (0,1)$ such that
      $$(sqrt 2-1)-y_nle rbig(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).$$




      Proof: Rearranging the terms,
      begin{align*}
      underbrace{frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}}_{=1/ {y_n}}-1&=underbrace{frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}}_{=y_{n-1}}+1\
      frac 1{y_n}-(sqrt2+1)&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
      frac 1{y_n}-frac1{sqrt2-1}&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
      (sqrt 2-1)-y_n&=underbrace{y_n(sqrt2-1)}_{in(0,1)}big(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).
      end{align*}

      so the claim is true. $square$



      Therefore,
      begin{align*}
      |y_n-(sqrt2-1)|&le r |y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)|le r^2 |y_{n-2}-(sqrt2-1)|lecdots\
      &le r^{n}|y_0-(sqrt2-1)|to0,
      end{align*}

      implies the limit exists, and $limlimits_{ntoinfty}y_n=sqrt2-1$.






      share|cite|improve this answer



























        up vote
        1
        down vote













        One trick is to use the given limit to derive the existence of it.



        Write $y_n=frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$.




        Claim: There exists $rin (0,1)$ such that
        $$(sqrt 2-1)-y_nle rbig(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).$$




        Proof: Rearranging the terms,
        begin{align*}
        underbrace{frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}}_{=1/ {y_n}}-1&=underbrace{frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}}_{=y_{n-1}}+1\
        frac 1{y_n}-(sqrt2+1)&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
        frac 1{y_n}-frac1{sqrt2-1}&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
        (sqrt 2-1)-y_n&=underbrace{y_n(sqrt2-1)}_{in(0,1)}big(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).
        end{align*}

        so the claim is true. $square$



        Therefore,
        begin{align*}
        |y_n-(sqrt2-1)|&le r |y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)|le r^2 |y_{n-2}-(sqrt2-1)|lecdots\
        &le r^{n}|y_0-(sqrt2-1)|to0,
        end{align*}

        implies the limit exists, and $limlimits_{ntoinfty}y_n=sqrt2-1$.






        share|cite|improve this answer

























          up vote
          1
          down vote










          up vote
          1
          down vote









          One trick is to use the given limit to derive the existence of it.



          Write $y_n=frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$.




          Claim: There exists $rin (0,1)$ such that
          $$(sqrt 2-1)-y_nle rbig(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).$$




          Proof: Rearranging the terms,
          begin{align*}
          underbrace{frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}}_{=1/ {y_n}}-1&=underbrace{frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}}_{=y_{n-1}}+1\
          frac 1{y_n}-(sqrt2+1)&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
          frac 1{y_n}-frac1{sqrt2-1}&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
          (sqrt 2-1)-y_n&=underbrace{y_n(sqrt2-1)}_{in(0,1)}big(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).
          end{align*}

          so the claim is true. $square$



          Therefore,
          begin{align*}
          |y_n-(sqrt2-1)|&le r |y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)|le r^2 |y_{n-2}-(sqrt2-1)|lecdots\
          &le r^{n}|y_0-(sqrt2-1)|to0,
          end{align*}

          implies the limit exists, and $limlimits_{ntoinfty}y_n=sqrt2-1$.






          share|cite|improve this answer














          One trick is to use the given limit to derive the existence of it.



          Write $y_n=frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}$.




          Claim: There exists $rin (0,1)$ such that
          $$(sqrt 2-1)-y_nle rbig(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).$$




          Proof: Rearranging the terms,
          begin{align*}
          underbrace{frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n}}_{=1/ {y_n}}-1&=underbrace{frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}}_{=y_{n-1}}+1\
          frac 1{y_n}-(sqrt2+1)&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
          frac 1{y_n}-frac1{sqrt2-1}&=y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)\
          (sqrt 2-1)-y_n&=underbrace{y_n(sqrt2-1)}_{in(0,1)}big(y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)big).
          end{align*}

          so the claim is true. $square$



          Therefore,
          begin{align*}
          |y_n-(sqrt2-1)|&le r |y_{n-1}-(sqrt2-1)|le r^2 |y_{n-2}-(sqrt2-1)|lecdots\
          &le r^{n}|y_0-(sqrt2-1)|to0,
          end{align*}

          implies the limit exists, and $limlimits_{ntoinfty}y_n=sqrt2-1$.







          share|cite|improve this answer














          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer








          edited 2 days ago

























          answered 2 days ago









          Tianlalu

          2,709632




          2,709632






















              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Look at $x_n/x_{n+1} - x_{n-1}/x_n$ which is $(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})/x_n x_{n-1}$.
              We can prove by induction that the numerator is $(-1)^n$.
              $$x_{n+1}^2 - x_n x_{n+2}
              = x_{n+1}^2 - x_n(2x_{n+1} + x_n)
              = x_{n+1}(x_{n+1} - 2x_n) - x_n^2
              = -(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})$$

              with $x_1^2 - x_0x_2 = -1$. Hence $x_n/x_{n+1}$ tends to a limit by the alternating series test.






              share|cite|improve this answer





















              • You may want to use frac{}{} to write fractions more clearly.
                – DonAntonio
                2 days ago















              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Look at $x_n/x_{n+1} - x_{n-1}/x_n$ which is $(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})/x_n x_{n-1}$.
              We can prove by induction that the numerator is $(-1)^n$.
              $$x_{n+1}^2 - x_n x_{n+2}
              = x_{n+1}^2 - x_n(2x_{n+1} + x_n)
              = x_{n+1}(x_{n+1} - 2x_n) - x_n^2
              = -(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})$$

              with $x_1^2 - x_0x_2 = -1$. Hence $x_n/x_{n+1}$ tends to a limit by the alternating series test.






              share|cite|improve this answer





















              • You may want to use frac{}{} to write fractions more clearly.
                – DonAntonio
                2 days ago













              up vote
              0
              down vote










              up vote
              0
              down vote









              Look at $x_n/x_{n+1} - x_{n-1}/x_n$ which is $(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})/x_n x_{n-1}$.
              We can prove by induction that the numerator is $(-1)^n$.
              $$x_{n+1}^2 - x_n x_{n+2}
              = x_{n+1}^2 - x_n(2x_{n+1} + x_n)
              = x_{n+1}(x_{n+1} - 2x_n) - x_n^2
              = -(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})$$

              with $x_1^2 - x_0x_2 = -1$. Hence $x_n/x_{n+1}$ tends to a limit by the alternating series test.






              share|cite|improve this answer












              Look at $x_n/x_{n+1} - x_{n-1}/x_n$ which is $(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})/x_n x_{n-1}$.
              We can prove by induction that the numerator is $(-1)^n$.
              $$x_{n+1}^2 - x_n x_{n+2}
              = x_{n+1}^2 - x_n(2x_{n+1} + x_n)
              = x_{n+1}(x_{n+1} - 2x_n) - x_n^2
              = -(x_n^2 - x_{n-1}x_{n+1})$$

              with $x_1^2 - x_0x_2 = -1$. Hence $x_n/x_{n+1}$ tends to a limit by the alternating series test.







              share|cite|improve this answer












              share|cite|improve this answer



              share|cite|improve this answer










              answered 2 days ago









              Michael Behrend

              1,03736




              1,03736












              • You may want to use frac{}{} to write fractions more clearly.
                – DonAntonio
                2 days ago


















              • You may want to use frac{}{} to write fractions more clearly.
                – DonAntonio
                2 days ago
















              You may want to use frac{}{} to write fractions more clearly.
              – DonAntonio
              2 days ago




              You may want to use frac{}{} to write fractions more clearly.
              – DonAntonio
              2 days ago










              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Since $x_n$ is increasing, all the terms become non-zero. By defining $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}$ we have $${x_nover x_{n+1}}={x_nover 2x_n+x_{n-1}}={1over 2+{x_{n-1}over {x_n}}}$$therefore $$a_n={1over 2+{ a_{n-1}}}$$Now by defining $b_n=a_n-(sqrt 2-1)$ we have $$b_n+sqrt 2-1={1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}$$therefore $$b_n=-sqrt 2+1+{1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}={(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}$$since $x_n>0$ we have $a_n>0$ therefore$$|b_n|=|{(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}|le {sqrt 2-1over 2}|b_{n-1}|$$which means that $b_n to 0$ or $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}to sqrt 2-1 quadblacksquare$






              share|cite|improve this answer

























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Since $x_n$ is increasing, all the terms become non-zero. By defining $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}$ we have $${x_nover x_{n+1}}={x_nover 2x_n+x_{n-1}}={1over 2+{x_{n-1}over {x_n}}}$$therefore $$a_n={1over 2+{ a_{n-1}}}$$Now by defining $b_n=a_n-(sqrt 2-1)$ we have $$b_n+sqrt 2-1={1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}$$therefore $$b_n=-sqrt 2+1+{1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}={(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}$$since $x_n>0$ we have $a_n>0$ therefore$$|b_n|=|{(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}|le {sqrt 2-1over 2}|b_{n-1}|$$which means that $b_n to 0$ or $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}to sqrt 2-1 quadblacksquare$






                share|cite|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote









                  Since $x_n$ is increasing, all the terms become non-zero. By defining $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}$ we have $${x_nover x_{n+1}}={x_nover 2x_n+x_{n-1}}={1over 2+{x_{n-1}over {x_n}}}$$therefore $$a_n={1over 2+{ a_{n-1}}}$$Now by defining $b_n=a_n-(sqrt 2-1)$ we have $$b_n+sqrt 2-1={1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}$$therefore $$b_n=-sqrt 2+1+{1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}={(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}$$since $x_n>0$ we have $a_n>0$ therefore$$|b_n|=|{(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}|le {sqrt 2-1over 2}|b_{n-1}|$$which means that $b_n to 0$ or $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}to sqrt 2-1 quadblacksquare$






                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  Since $x_n$ is increasing, all the terms become non-zero. By defining $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}$ we have $${x_nover x_{n+1}}={x_nover 2x_n+x_{n-1}}={1over 2+{x_{n-1}over {x_n}}}$$therefore $$a_n={1over 2+{ a_{n-1}}}$$Now by defining $b_n=a_n-(sqrt 2-1)$ we have $$b_n+sqrt 2-1={1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}$$therefore $$b_n=-sqrt 2+1+{1over b_{n-1}+sqrt 2+1}={(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}$$since $x_n>0$ we have $a_n>0$ therefore$$|b_n|=|{(1-sqrt 2)b_{n-1}over a_n+2}|le {sqrt 2-1over 2}|b_{n-1}|$$which means that $b_n to 0$ or $a_n={x_nover x_{n+1}}to sqrt 2-1 quadblacksquare$







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered yesterday









                  Mostafa Ayaz

                  12.5k3733




                  12.5k3733






















                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote













                      We have that



                      $$frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n} = 2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$$



                      then by



                      $$y_n=frac{x_{n}}{x_{n-1}} implies y_{n+1}=2+frac1{y_n }quad y_0=2$$



                      which converges to $L=sqrt 2+1$ and then



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{y_{n+1}}=frac1L=sqrt 2 -1$$






                      share|cite|improve this answer



















                      • 1




                        It seems $y_n$ is 'alternating', i.e. increasing/decreasing when $n$ even and decreasing/increasing when $n$ odd.
                        – Tianlalu
                        2 days ago






                      • 2




                        Why $;y_n;$ is increasing and bounded?
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago










                      • @DonAntonio Yes I need to clarify that point better! Thanks
                        – gimusi
                        2 days ago















                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote













                      We have that



                      $$frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n} = 2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$$



                      then by



                      $$y_n=frac{x_{n}}{x_{n-1}} implies y_{n+1}=2+frac1{y_n }quad y_0=2$$



                      which converges to $L=sqrt 2+1$ and then



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{y_{n+1}}=frac1L=sqrt 2 -1$$






                      share|cite|improve this answer



















                      • 1




                        It seems $y_n$ is 'alternating', i.e. increasing/decreasing when $n$ even and decreasing/increasing when $n$ odd.
                        – Tianlalu
                        2 days ago






                      • 2




                        Why $;y_n;$ is increasing and bounded?
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago










                      • @DonAntonio Yes I need to clarify that point better! Thanks
                        – gimusi
                        2 days ago













                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote









                      We have that



                      $$frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n} = 2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$$



                      then by



                      $$y_n=frac{x_{n}}{x_{n-1}} implies y_{n+1}=2+frac1{y_n }quad y_0=2$$



                      which converges to $L=sqrt 2+1$ and then



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{y_{n+1}}=frac1L=sqrt 2 -1$$






                      share|cite|improve this answer














                      We have that



                      $$frac{x_{n+1}}{x_n} = 2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$$



                      then by



                      $$y_n=frac{x_{n}}{x_{n-1}} implies y_{n+1}=2+frac1{y_n }quad y_0=2$$



                      which converges to $L=sqrt 2+1$ and then



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}}=lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{y_{n+1}}=frac1L=sqrt 2 -1$$







                      share|cite|improve this answer














                      share|cite|improve this answer



                      share|cite|improve this answer








                      edited 2 days ago

























                      answered 2 days ago









                      gimusi

                      88k74393




                      88k74393








                      • 1




                        It seems $y_n$ is 'alternating', i.e. increasing/decreasing when $n$ even and decreasing/increasing when $n$ odd.
                        – Tianlalu
                        2 days ago






                      • 2




                        Why $;y_n;$ is increasing and bounded?
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago










                      • @DonAntonio Yes I need to clarify that point better! Thanks
                        – gimusi
                        2 days ago














                      • 1




                        It seems $y_n$ is 'alternating', i.e. increasing/decreasing when $n$ even and decreasing/increasing when $n$ odd.
                        – Tianlalu
                        2 days ago






                      • 2




                        Why $;y_n;$ is increasing and bounded?
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago










                      • @DonAntonio Yes I need to clarify that point better! Thanks
                        – gimusi
                        2 days ago








                      1




                      1




                      It seems $y_n$ is 'alternating', i.e. increasing/decreasing when $n$ even and decreasing/increasing when $n$ odd.
                      – Tianlalu
                      2 days ago




                      It seems $y_n$ is 'alternating', i.e. increasing/decreasing when $n$ even and decreasing/increasing when $n$ odd.
                      – Tianlalu
                      2 days ago




                      2




                      2




                      Why $;y_n;$ is increasing and bounded?
                      – DonAntonio
                      2 days ago




                      Why $;y_n;$ is increasing and bounded?
                      – DonAntonio
                      2 days ago












                      @DonAntonio Yes I need to clarify that point better! Thanks
                      – gimusi
                      2 days ago




                      @DonAntonio Yes I need to clarify that point better! Thanks
                      – gimusi
                      2 days ago










                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote













                      Let



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = lim_{nto infty} frac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n1}} = k$$



                      Now



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k$$
                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{2x_{n} + x_{n-1}} = k$$



                      Take $x_n$ out from numerator and denominator
                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}} = k$$



                      Using the first equation



                      $$ frac{1}{2 + k} = k$$
                      $$k^2+2k-1=0$$
                      This gives two solutions $k=sqrt{2}-1$ and $k=-sqrt{2}-1$. Since none of the terms can be negative, we reject . the second solution thereby giving us



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k = sqrt2 - 1$$



                      EDIT - As suggested by the commenter we need to prove that it is a finite limit before we start with the proof. Initially it's a $frac{infty}{infty}$ form as both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ approach $infty$ as $n$ approaches $infty$. I'll use a finite upper bound to show that the limit is finite which means it exists.



                      For any $n$



                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} =frac{x_n}{2x_n + x_{n-1}}$$



                      As $x_{n-1}$ is always a positive quantity
                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{x_n}{2x_n}$$
                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{1}{2}$$



                      For any $n$, you can take the last statement to prove the monotonicity as
                      $$x_{n+1}geq x_n$$
                      And since both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ are positive values, the lower bound is $0$. The upper bound along with lower bound and the monotonicity proves that the limit is finite.






                      share|cite|improve this answer



















                      • 3




                        This seems to be the less hard part of the question. The hardest part is to prove the limit exists...
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago






                      • 1




                        Is there any way to independently do that ?
                        – Sauhard Sharma
                        2 days ago










                      • Why can you write the first line? why is the limit of $frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$ ?
                        – M-S-R
                        2 days ago












                      • @SauhardSharma It better is, otherwise your whole answer is invalid as you can use arithmetic of limits only if you know that the limit exists finitely, otherwise you can't. You can try induction, for example, to prove monotonicity or something like that
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago












                      • @DonAntonio Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I think the edited proof should suffice
                        – Sauhard Sharma
                        2 days ago















                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote













                      Let



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = lim_{nto infty} frac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n1}} = k$$



                      Now



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k$$
                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{2x_{n} + x_{n-1}} = k$$



                      Take $x_n$ out from numerator and denominator
                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}} = k$$



                      Using the first equation



                      $$ frac{1}{2 + k} = k$$
                      $$k^2+2k-1=0$$
                      This gives two solutions $k=sqrt{2}-1$ and $k=-sqrt{2}-1$. Since none of the terms can be negative, we reject . the second solution thereby giving us



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k = sqrt2 - 1$$



                      EDIT - As suggested by the commenter we need to prove that it is a finite limit before we start with the proof. Initially it's a $frac{infty}{infty}$ form as both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ approach $infty$ as $n$ approaches $infty$. I'll use a finite upper bound to show that the limit is finite which means it exists.



                      For any $n$



                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} =frac{x_n}{2x_n + x_{n-1}}$$



                      As $x_{n-1}$ is always a positive quantity
                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{x_n}{2x_n}$$
                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{1}{2}$$



                      For any $n$, you can take the last statement to prove the monotonicity as
                      $$x_{n+1}geq x_n$$
                      And since both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ are positive values, the lower bound is $0$. The upper bound along with lower bound and the monotonicity proves that the limit is finite.






                      share|cite|improve this answer



















                      • 3




                        This seems to be the less hard part of the question. The hardest part is to prove the limit exists...
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago






                      • 1




                        Is there any way to independently do that ?
                        – Sauhard Sharma
                        2 days ago










                      • Why can you write the first line? why is the limit of $frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$ ?
                        – M-S-R
                        2 days ago












                      • @SauhardSharma It better is, otherwise your whole answer is invalid as you can use arithmetic of limits only if you know that the limit exists finitely, otherwise you can't. You can try induction, for example, to prove monotonicity or something like that
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago












                      • @DonAntonio Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I think the edited proof should suffice
                        – Sauhard Sharma
                        2 days ago













                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      -1
                      down vote









                      Let



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = lim_{nto infty} frac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n1}} = k$$



                      Now



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k$$
                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{2x_{n} + x_{n-1}} = k$$



                      Take $x_n$ out from numerator and denominator
                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}} = k$$



                      Using the first equation



                      $$ frac{1}{2 + k} = k$$
                      $$k^2+2k-1=0$$
                      This gives two solutions $k=sqrt{2}-1$ and $k=-sqrt{2}-1$. Since none of the terms can be negative, we reject . the second solution thereby giving us



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k = sqrt2 - 1$$



                      EDIT - As suggested by the commenter we need to prove that it is a finite limit before we start with the proof. Initially it's a $frac{infty}{infty}$ form as both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ approach $infty$ as $n$ approaches $infty$. I'll use a finite upper bound to show that the limit is finite which means it exists.



                      For any $n$



                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} =frac{x_n}{2x_n + x_{n-1}}$$



                      As $x_{n-1}$ is always a positive quantity
                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{x_n}{2x_n}$$
                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{1}{2}$$



                      For any $n$, you can take the last statement to prove the monotonicity as
                      $$x_{n+1}geq x_n$$
                      And since both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ are positive values, the lower bound is $0$. The upper bound along with lower bound and the monotonicity proves that the limit is finite.






                      share|cite|improve this answer














                      Let



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = lim_{nto infty} frac{x_{n-1}}{x_{n1}} = k$$



                      Now



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k$$
                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{2x_{n} + x_{n-1}} = k$$



                      Take $x_n$ out from numerator and denominator
                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{1}{2 + frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}} = k$$



                      Using the first equation



                      $$ frac{1}{2 + k} = k$$
                      $$k^2+2k-1=0$$
                      This gives two solutions $k=sqrt{2}-1$ and $k=-sqrt{2}-1$. Since none of the terms can be negative, we reject . the second solution thereby giving us



                      $$lim_{nto infty} frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = k = sqrt2 - 1$$



                      EDIT - As suggested by the commenter we need to prove that it is a finite limit before we start with the proof. Initially it's a $frac{infty}{infty}$ form as both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ approach $infty$ as $n$ approaches $infty$. I'll use a finite upper bound to show that the limit is finite which means it exists.



                      For any $n$



                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} =frac{x_n}{2x_n + x_{n-1}}$$



                      As $x_{n-1}$ is always a positive quantity
                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{x_n}{2x_n}$$
                      $$frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} leq frac{1}{2}$$



                      For any $n$, you can take the last statement to prove the monotonicity as
                      $$x_{n+1}geq x_n$$
                      And since both $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$ are positive values, the lower bound is $0$. The upper bound along with lower bound and the monotonicity proves that the limit is finite.







                      share|cite|improve this answer














                      share|cite|improve this answer



                      share|cite|improve this answer








                      edited 2 days ago

























                      answered 2 days ago









                      Sauhard Sharma

                      3518




                      3518








                      • 3




                        This seems to be the less hard part of the question. The hardest part is to prove the limit exists...
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago






                      • 1




                        Is there any way to independently do that ?
                        – Sauhard Sharma
                        2 days ago










                      • Why can you write the first line? why is the limit of $frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$ ?
                        – M-S-R
                        2 days ago












                      • @SauhardSharma It better is, otherwise your whole answer is invalid as you can use arithmetic of limits only if you know that the limit exists finitely, otherwise you can't. You can try induction, for example, to prove monotonicity or something like that
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago












                      • @DonAntonio Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I think the edited proof should suffice
                        – Sauhard Sharma
                        2 days ago














                      • 3




                        This seems to be the less hard part of the question. The hardest part is to prove the limit exists...
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago






                      • 1




                        Is there any way to independently do that ?
                        – Sauhard Sharma
                        2 days ago










                      • Why can you write the first line? why is the limit of $frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$ ?
                        – M-S-R
                        2 days ago












                      • @SauhardSharma It better is, otherwise your whole answer is invalid as you can use arithmetic of limits only if you know that the limit exists finitely, otherwise you can't. You can try induction, for example, to prove monotonicity or something like that
                        – DonAntonio
                        2 days ago












                      • @DonAntonio Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I think the edited proof should suffice
                        – Sauhard Sharma
                        2 days ago








                      3




                      3




                      This seems to be the less hard part of the question. The hardest part is to prove the limit exists...
                      – DonAntonio
                      2 days ago




                      This seems to be the less hard part of the question. The hardest part is to prove the limit exists...
                      – DonAntonio
                      2 days ago




                      1




                      1




                      Is there any way to independently do that ?
                      – Sauhard Sharma
                      2 days ago




                      Is there any way to independently do that ?
                      – Sauhard Sharma
                      2 days ago












                      Why can you write the first line? why is the limit of $frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$ ?
                      – M-S-R
                      2 days ago






                      Why can you write the first line? why is the limit of $frac{x_n}{x_{n+1}} = frac{x_{n-1}}{x_n}$ ?
                      – M-S-R
                      2 days ago














                      @SauhardSharma It better is, otherwise your whole answer is invalid as you can use arithmetic of limits only if you know that the limit exists finitely, otherwise you can't. You can try induction, for example, to prove monotonicity or something like that
                      – DonAntonio
                      2 days ago






                      @SauhardSharma It better is, otherwise your whole answer is invalid as you can use arithmetic of limits only if you know that the limit exists finitely, otherwise you can't. You can try induction, for example, to prove monotonicity or something like that
                      – DonAntonio
                      2 days ago














                      @DonAntonio Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I think the edited proof should suffice
                      – Sauhard Sharma
                      2 days ago




                      @DonAntonio Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I think the edited proof should suffice
                      – Sauhard Sharma
                      2 days ago


















                       

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