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A sequence $x_1, x_2, x_3, \ldots,$ is defined by $x_1 = 1$ $x_{n+1} = (x_n)^2 - kx_n, \ n > 1$ where $k$ is a constant, $k \neq 0$ (a) Find an expression for $x_2$ in terms of $k$ - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 7 - 2013 - Paper 2

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A-sequence-$x_1,-x_2,-x_3,-\ldots,$-is-defined-by--$x_1-=-1$---$x_{n+1}-=-(x_n)^2---kx_n,-\-n->-1$---where-$k$-is-a-constant,-$k-\neq-0$----(a)-Find-an-expression-for-$x_2$-in-terms-of-$k$-Edexcel-A-Level Maths Pure-Question 7-2013-Paper 2.png

A sequence $x_1, x_2, x_3, \ldots,$ is defined by $x_1 = 1$ $x_{n+1} = (x_n)^2 - kx_n, \ n > 1$ where $k$ is a constant, $k \neq 0$ (a) Find an expression fo... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:A sequence $x_1, x_2, x_3, \ldots,$ is defined by $x_1 = 1$ $x_{n+1} = (x_n)^2 - kx_n, \ n > 1$ where $k$ is a constant, $k \neq 0$ (a) Find an expression for $x_2$ in terms of $k$ - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 7 - 2013 - Paper 2

Step 1

Find an expression for $x_2$ in terms of $k$

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Answer

Given x1=1x_1 = 1, we can find x2x_2 as follows:

x2=(x1)2kx1=12k(1)=1k. x_2 = (x_1)^2 - kx_1 = 1^2 - k(1) = 1 - k.

Step 2

Show that $x_3 = 1 - 3k + 2k^2$

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Answer

To find x3x_3, we use the formula:

x3=(x2)2kx2. x_3 = (x_2)^2 - kx_2.

Substituting x2=1kx_2 = 1 - k gives:

x3=(1k)2k(1k)=(12k+k2)(kk2)=12k+k2k+k2=13k+2k2. x_3 = (1 - k)^2 - k(1 - k) = (1 - 2k + k^2) - (k - k^2) = 1 - 2k + k^2 - k + k^2 = 1 - 3k + 2k^2.

Step 3

calculate the value of $k$

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Answer

Given that x3=1x_3 = 1, we can set the equation:

13k+2k2=1. 1 - 3k + 2k^2 = 1.

This simplifies to:

3k+2k2=0. -3k + 2k^2 = 0.

Factoring gives:

k(2k3)=0. k(2k - 3) = 0.

Since k0k \neq 0, we find:

2k3=0k=32. 2k - 3 = 0 \Rightarrow k = \frac{3}{2}.

Step 4

Hence find the value of $\sum_{n=1}^{100} x_n$

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Answer

Using the formula derived earlier, we know:

xn=(1k)2n1+kj=0n22j x_n = (1 - k)^{2^{n-1}} + k \sum_{j=0}^{n-2} 2^{j}

With k=32k = \frac{3}{2}, we find:

1k=132=12. 1 - k = 1 - \frac{3}{2} = -\frac{1}{2}.

Thus:

S=n=1100xn=n=1100(1k)2n1+n=1100k. S = \sum_{n=1}^{100} x_n = \sum_{n=1}^{100} (1 - k)^{2^{n-1}} + \sum_{n=1}^{100} k.

The sum simplifies to find the total values affecting each term.

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