Recursive sequences and finding their expressions

In summary, the conversation is about solving a linear second order difference equation and finding the closed-form solution. The first step is to find the roots of the associated characteristic equation, which is x=2 with multiplicity 2. The general solution is given by (c1 + c2n)2^n and the constants c1 and c2 can be found from the initial conditions. The conversation ends with the acknowledgement that finding the double root may have been confusing at first.
  • #1
delc1
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Hi all,

I don't understand what is being asked by this question?

View attachment 2445

If anyone knows could they please describe the process, that would be greatly appreciated.
 

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  • #2
delc1 said:
Hi all,

I don't understand what is being asked by this question?

View attachment 2445

If anyone knows could they please describe the process, that would be greatly appreciated.
The procedure for solving this type of linear second order difference equations is illustrated in...

http://mathhelpboards.com/discrete-mathematics-set-theory-logic-15/difference-equation-tutorial-draft-part-ii-860-post4544.html#post4544

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #3
delc1 said:
Hi all,

I don't understand what is being asked by this question?

View attachment 2445

If anyone knows could they please describe the process, that would be greatly appreciated.

You are being asked to find the closed-form for the given linear homogeneous recurrence. The first step is to find the roots of the associated characteristic equation. Can you state this equation and its roots?
 
  • #4
Hmmmm I tried doing this equation myself but am also stuck.

I tried subbing in n=2, 3 and 4 into the equation and have found that:
S2= -8
S3= -36
S4= -112
S5= -304

So the pattern that I have found is that there is a difference of -28, -76 and -192 but this doesn't lead me to an easily findable equation.
 
  • #5
Writing the difference equation in the form...

$\displaystyle s_{n+2} - 4\ s_{n+1} + 4\ s_{n} = 0,\ s_{0}=3,\ s_{1}=1\ (1)$

... the associated characteristic equation is...

$\displaystyle x^{2} -4\ x +4 = 0\ (2)$

... the solution of which is x=2 with multiplicity 2. That means that the general solution of (1) is...

$\displaystyle s_{n} = (c_{1} + c_{2}\ n)\ 2^{n}\ (3)$

The constants$c_{1}$ and $c_{2}$ cn befound from the initial conditions, so that is...

$\displaystyle s_{n} = (3 - \frac{5}{2}\ n)\ 2^{n}\ (4)$

Kind regards$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #6
chisigma said:
Writing the difference equation in the form...

$\displaystyle s_{n+2} - 4\ s_{n+1} + 4\ s_{n} = 0,\ s_{0}=3,\ s_{1}=1\ (1)$

... the associated characteristic equation is...

$\displaystyle x^{2} -4\ x +4 = 0\ (2)$

... the solution of which is x=2 with multiplicity 2. That means that the general solution of (1) is...

$\displaystyle s_{n} = (c_{1} + c_{2}\ n)\ 2^{n}\ (3)$

The constants$c_{1}$ and $c_{2}$ cn befound from the initial conditions, so that is...

$\displaystyle s_{n} = (3 - \frac{5}{2}\ n)\ 2^{n}\ (4)$

Kind regards$\chi$ $\sigma$

Cheers, that's a much simpler way of thinking of solving the problem, I guess it was the fact that 2 was a double root that confused me.
 

FAQ: Recursive sequences and finding their expressions

What is a recursive sequence?

A recursive sequence is a series of numbers where each term is generated by a formula that uses one or more of the previous terms.

How do you find the expression for a recursive sequence?

To find the expression for a recursive sequence, you need to identify the pattern and the starting value. Then, you can use the pattern to create a formula that will generate each term in the sequence.

Why do we need to find the expression for a recursive sequence?

Finding the expression for a recursive sequence allows us to easily calculate any term in the sequence without having to manually generate each term. It also helps us understand the behavior and properties of the sequence.

Can a recursive sequence have more than one expression?

Yes, a recursive sequence can have more than one expression. This can happen if there are multiple possible patterns or if there are different starting values that result in the same sequence.

How is a recursive sequence different from an arithmetic or geometric sequence?

A recursive sequence is different from an arithmetic or geometric sequence because each term is generated by a formula that uses one or more of the previous terms, rather than a constant difference or ratio. Recursive sequences can also have more complex patterns and behaviors compared to arithmetic or geometric sequences.

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