What is the value of $a_{2015}$ in a sequence with given conditions?

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In summary, the formula for finding the value of $a_{2015}$ in a sequence is $a_{2015} = a + (2015-1)d$, where $a$ is the first term in the sequence and $d$ is the common difference between terms. The first term, $a$, can be found by looking at the initial value of the sequence, and the common difference, $d$, can be calculated by finding the difference between any two consecutive terms. There is also a shortcut known as the nth term formula, which is $a_n = a + (n-1)d$, that can be used to find the value of any term in a sequence without having to manually calculate each term in between.
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Ackbach
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Let $a_1, \dots, a_{2015}$ be real numbers such that $a_1=2015$ and
$$\sum_{j=1}^{n}a_{j}=n^2 \, a_n$$
for all $1\le n \le 2015$. Compute $a_{2015}$.

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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  • #2
Congratulations to kiwi, lfdahl, Opalg, kaliprasad, and MarkFL for their correct solutions! Quite the embarrassment of riches this week. As all the solutions are quite good, it was difficult to pick one. So, I employed a random number generator to get a number between 1 and 5, and the result was 2. So, I include lfdahl's solution below:

The sum $\sum_{j=1}^{n}a_j$ can be expressed in terms of $a_1$:
\[n = 1: \;\; a_1 = 2015\\\\
n = 2: \;\; a_1+a_2 = \frac{2^2}{2^2-1}a_1\\\\
n = 3: \;\; a_1+a_2+a_3 = \frac{3^2}{(3^2-1)}\cdot \frac{2^2}{(2^2-1)}\cdot a_1, \: \: \: ... etc.\]
In general: \[ \sum_{j=1}^{n}a_j = \prod_{k=2}^{n}\frac{k^2}{(k^2-1)}\cdot a_1=\gamma_n\cdot a_1 \]

$\gamma_n$ is a telescoping product:

\[\gamma_n = \prod_{k=2}^{n}\frac{k^2}{(k-1)(k+1)}=\frac{2}{2-1}\cdot \frac{n}{n+1}=\frac{2n}{n+1}\]

The term, $a_{2015}$, I am looking for, can now be expressed as follows:

\[ a_{2015}=\frac{1}{2015^2-1}\cdot \sum_{j=1}^{2014}a_j=\frac{1}{2015^2-1}\cdot \gamma_{2014}\cdot a_1\]

\[ =\frac{1}{2015^2-1}\cdot \frac{2\cdot 2014}{2015}\cdot 2015\]

\[=\frac{2\cdot 2014}{2014\cdot 2016} = \frac{1}{1008}\]
 

FAQ: What is the value of $a_{2015}$ in a sequence with given conditions?

What is the formula for finding the value of $a_{2015}$ in a sequence?

The formula for finding the value of $a_{2015}$ in a sequence is $a_{2015} = a + (2015-1)d$, where $a$ is the first term in the sequence and $d$ is the common difference between terms.

How do you determine the first term and common difference in a sequence?

The first term, $a$, can be found by looking at the initial value of the sequence. The common difference, $d$, can be calculated by finding the difference between any two consecutive terms in the sequence.

Is there a shortcut or simpler way to find the value of $a_{2015}$ in a sequence?

Yes, there is a shortcut known as the nth term formula, which is $a_n = a + (n-1)d$. This formula can be used to find the value of any term in a sequence without having to manually calculate each term in between.

Can the value of $a_{2015}$ be negative or a decimal number?

Yes, the value of $a_{2015}$ can be negative or a decimal number depending on the values of $a$ and $d$ in the sequence. The formula for finding $a_{2015}$ works for any type of number, not just whole numbers.

What if the sequence is not arithmetic? Can the formula still be used to find $a_{2015}$?

No, the formula for finding $a_{2015}$ only works for arithmetic sequences where there is a constant difference between terms. If the sequence is not arithmetic, a different formula or method will be needed to find the value of $a_{2015}$.

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