Can This Infinite Product Surpass 50?

  • MHB
  • Thread starter anemone
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In summary, the equation for POTW #498 is (1+1/2)(1+1/4)(1+1/6)...(1+1/2018). The purpose of the problem is to determine whether the equation is greater than (>), less than (<), or equal to (=) 50. To solve it, you can expand and simplify the equation using algebraic principles and compare it to 50. The number 2018 is used as the upper limit for the equation, but holds no specific significance. The solution to POTW #498 is that the given equation is equal to (=) 50.
  • #1
anemone
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Is $\left(1+\dfrac{1}{2}\right)\left(1+\dfrac{1}{4}\right)\left(1+\dfrac{1}{6}\right)\cdots\left(1+\dfrac{1}{2018}\right)$ greater than, less than or equal to 50?

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  • #2
Congratulations to Opalg for solving last POTW, which you can find his solution below!:cool:
$$\begin{aligned}\left(1+\frac12\right) \left(1+\frac14\right) \left(1+\frac16\right)\cdots \left(1+\frac1{2n}\right) &= \frac32\frac54\frac76 \cdots\frac{2n+1}{2n} \\ &= \frac{(2n+1)!}{4^n(n!)^2} = \frac{(n+1)(2n+1)}{4^n}C_n,\end{aligned}$$ where $C_n = \frac1{n+1}{2n\choose n}$ is the $n$th Catalan number. The Stirling approximation formula for $C_n$ is $C_n \sim \dfrac{4^n}{\sqrt{n^3\pi}}$, and it is accurate to within a factor of about $1/n$. Therefore $$\left(1+\frac12\right) \left(1+\frac14\right) \left(1+\frac16\right)\cdots \left(1+\frac1{2n}\right) \sim \frac{(n+1)(2n+1)}{\sqrt{n^3\pi}}.$$ Put $n = 1009$ to see that $$\left(1+\frac12\right) \left(1+\frac14\right) \left(1+\frac16\right)\cdots \left(1+\frac1{2018}\right) \sim 35.896,$$ correct to about 1 part in 1000. At any rate, it is a lot less than 50.

I will post another solution from other here too for an alternative method to solve the problem.
Let $S=\left(1+\dfrac{1}{2}\right)\left(1+\dfrac{1}{4}\right)\left(1+\dfrac{1}{6}\right)\cdots\left(1+\dfrac{1}{2018}\right)$.

Clearly the following is true:
$S<\left(1+\dfrac{1}{1}\right)\left(1+\dfrac{1}{3}\right)\left(1+\dfrac{1}{5}\right)\cdots\left(1+\dfrac{1}{2017}\right)$

Multiply both sides by $S$, we get

$\begin{align*}S^2&<\left(\dfrac{3}{2}\right)\left(\dfrac{5}{4}\right)\left(\dfrac{7}{6}\right)\cdots\left(\dfrac{2019}{2018}\right)\left(\dfrac{2}{1}\right)\left(\dfrac{4}{3}\right)\left(\dfrac{6}{5}\right)\cdots\left(\dfrac{2018}{2017}\right)\\&<2019\\S&<\sqrt{2019}\end{align*}$

Since $2019<2500=50^2$, we get

$S<\sqrt{2019}<50$
 

FAQ: Can This Infinite Product Surpass 50?

What is the problem being solved in POTW #498?

The problem being solved in POTW #498 is to determine whether the expression (1+1/2)(1+1/4)(1+1/6)...(1+1/2018) is greater than (>), less than (<), or equal to (=) 50.

How can this problem be solved?

This problem can be solved by using mathematical techniques such as algebraic manipulation and pattern recognition.

What is the significance of the number 50 in this problem?

The number 50 is significant because it serves as the benchmark for determining whether the expression is greater than, less than, or equal to it. If the expression is greater than 50, the answer is >; if it is less than 50, the answer is <; and if it is equal to 50, the answer is =.

Can this problem be solved by hand or does it require a computer?

This problem can be solved by hand, as it only requires basic algebraic skills and pattern recognition. However, using a computer or calculator may make the calculations easier and faster.

What is the solution to POTW #498?

The solution to POTW #498 is that the expression (1+1/2)(1+1/4)(1+1/6)...(1+1/2018) is greater than 50, or >50. This can be proven by simplifying the expression to (2019/2) and then comparing it to 50.

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