Chapter 8: Problem 11
The Lucas numbers satisfy the recurrence relation $$ L_{n}=L_{n-1}+L_{n-2} $$ and the initial conditions \(L_{0}=2\) and \(L_{1}=1\) a) Show that \(L_{n}=f_{n-1}+f_{n+1}\) for \(n=2,3, \ldots,\) where \(f_{n}\) is the \(n\) th Fibonacci number. b) Find an explicit formula for the Lucas numbers.
Short Answer
Expert verified
a) Use induction to show \( L_n = f_{n-1} + f_{n+1} \). b) The formula is \( L_n = \left( \frac{2 + \sqrt{5}}{2} \right)\alpha^n + \left( \frac{2 - \sqrt{5}}{2} \right)\beta^n \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the recurrence relation and initial conditions
The Lucas numbers satisfy the recurrence relation \[ L_n = L_{n-1} + L_{n-2} \] and have initial conditions \( L_0 = 2 \) and \( L_1 = 1 \). The Fibonacci numbers satisfy the recurrence relation \[ f_n = f_{n-1} + f_{n-2} \] with initial conditions \( f_0 = 0 \) and \( f_1 = 1 \).
02
Define the relation to prove for part a
We need to show that \( L_n = f_{n-1} + f_{n+1} \) for \( n \geq 2 \).
03
Prove by induction
Prove the statement by mathematical induction.**Base Case**: For \( n = 2 \), \( L_2 = L_1 + L_0 = 1 + 2 = 3 \) and \( f_1 + f_3 = 1 + 2 = 3 \), so \( L_2 = f_1 + f_3 \).**Inductive Step**: Assume \( L_k = f_{k-1} + f_{k+1} \) and \( L_{k+1} = f_k + f_{k+2} \). Then for \( L_{k+2} \): \[ L_{k+2} = L_{k+1} + L_k \] Using the induction hypothesis, \[ L_{k+2} = (f_k + f_{k+2}) + (f_{k-1} + f_{k+1}) \] Simplify it: \[ L_{k+2} = f_k + f_{k+1} + f_{k+2} + f_{k-1} \] Using the Fibonacci recurrence relation, \( f_{k+2} = f_{k+1} + f_k \), So, \[ L_{k+2} = f_{k+3} + f_{k+1} \]. Thus, the statement holds for \( n=k+2 \). Hence, by induction, the statement is true for all \( n \geq 2 \).
04
Recognize the form of the characteristic equation
To find an explicit formula, recognize that the Lucas sequence is a second-order linear homogeneous recurrence relation with characteristic equation: \[ x^2 - x - 1 = 0 \].
05
Solve the characteristic equation
Solve the characteristic equation for its roots: \[ x = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2} \]. These are the same as the Fibonacci sequence roots often denoted as \( \alpha = \frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} \) and \( \beta = \frac{1 - \sqrt{5}}{2} \).
06
Form the general solution
The general solution for the Lucas numbers is a combination of the roots: \[ L_n = A\alpha^n + B\beta^n \].
07
Apply initial conditions
Use the initial conditions to solve for constants \( A \) and \( B \):\( L_0 = 2 = A + B \) and \( L_1 = 1 = A\alpha + B\beta \).
08
Solve the system of equations
Solve the system of equations for \( A \) and \( B \):\[ A + B = 2 \] and \[ A\alpha + B\beta = 1 \]. Solving these gives: \[ A = \frac{2 + \sqrt{5}}{2} \] and \[ B = \frac{2 - \sqrt{5}}{2} \].
09
Write the explicit formula
Thus, the explicit formula for the Lucas numbers is: \[ L_n = \left( \frac{2 + \sqrt{5}}{2} \right)\alpha^n + \left( \frac{2 - \sqrt{5}}{2} \right)\beta^n \].
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Recurrence Relation
A recurrence relation is a way of defining sequences using previous terms. The Lucas numbers have the recurrence relation \[ L_n = L_{n-1} + L_{n-2} \]. This means each term is the sum of the two preceding terms. The initial conditions for the Lucas numbers are \(L_0 = 2\) and \(L_1 = 1\). Similarly, the Fibonacci numbers are defined by \[ f_n = f_{n-1} + f_{n-2} \] with initial conditions \(f_0 = 0\) and \(f_1 = 1\). Knowing these helps us understand how recurrence relations build sequences over time.
Fibonacci Numbers
Fibonacci numbers are a sequence where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. This sequence starts with 0 and 1. The Fibonacci sequence is: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ... . Understanding Fibonacci numbers is crucial for working with Lucas numbers, as there is a strong relationship between the two. Specifically, there's a formula that links them: \( L_n = f_{n-1} + f_{n+1} \). This connection shows the integral relationship between these sequences in number theory and combinatorics.
Mathematical Induction
Mathematical induction is a powerful method for proving statements about integers. It involves two steps: the base case and the inductive step. For the Lucas numbers, we used induction to show that for all \( n \ge \ 2 \), the relation \( L_n = f_{n-1} + f_{n+1} \) holds.
- Base Case: Show the statement is true for the initial value (e.g., \( n = 2 \)).
- Inductive Step: Assume it's true for \( n = k \) and then prove it holds for \( n = k+1 \).
Characteristic Equation
The characteristic equation is a polynomial equation derived from a linear recurrence relation that helps find an explicit formula for the sequence. For the Lucas numbers, the recurrence relation \( L_n = L_{n-1} + L_{n-2} \) translates into the characteristic equation: \[ x^2 - x - 1 = 0 \]. Solving this quadratic equation gives the roots \( \alpha = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2} \), which are essential for creating the explicit formula.
Explicit Formula
An explicit formula provides a direct way to compute terms in a sequence without recursion. For Lucas numbers, the general form is: \[ L_n = A\alpha^n + B\beta^n \], where \( \alpha \) and \( \beta \) are the roots of the characteristic equation. Using the initial conditions \( L_0 = 2 \) and \( L_1 = 1 \), you can solve for constants A and B:
- \( A = \frac{2 + \sqrt{5}}{2} \)
- \( B = \frac{2 - \sqrt{5}}{2} \).