Concrete Mathematics - Recurrent Problems - Homework exercises - (8)

Chapter One: Recurrent Problems

Homework exercises

8. Solve the recurrence

Q(0) = a; Q(1) = b;

Q(n) = ( 1+ Q(n-1))/Q(n-2), for n > 1.

Assume that Q(n) != 0 for all n >=0.

Actually, Q(0) = a, Q(1) = b, 

Q(2) = (1+Q(1))/Q(0) = (1+b)/a, 

Q(3) = (1+Q(2))/Q(1) = (1+(1+b)/a)/b = (1+a+b)/ab, 

Q(4) = (1+Q(3))/Q(2) = (1+(1+a+b)/ab)/((1+b)/a) = (1+a)/b,

Q(5) = (1+Q(4))/Q(3) = (1+(1+a)/b)/((1+a+b)/ab) = ((1+a+b)/b)/((1+a+b)/ab) = a

Q(6) = (1+Q(5))/Q(4) = (1+a)/((1+a)/b) = b

......

As it show, it is periodic. The period is 5.