A sequence is generated by the recurrence relation $u_{n+1} = mu_n + 6$ where $m$ is a constant - Scottish Highers Maths - Question 9 - 2017
Question 9
A sequence is generated by the recurrence relation $u_{n+1} = mu_n + 6$ where $m$ is a constant.
(a) Given $u_1 = 28$ and $u_2 = 13$, find the value of $m$.
(b)
(... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A sequence is generated by the recurrence relation $u_{n+1} = mu_n + 6$ where $m$ is a constant - Scottish Highers Maths - Question 9 - 2017
Step 1
Given $u_1 = 28$ and $u_2 = 13$, find the value of $m$.
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Answer
From the recurrence relation, we can substitute n=1:
u2=mu1+6
Substituting the known values gives:
13=m⋅28+6
Now, we isolate m:
13−6=28m7=28mm=287=41
Thus, the value of m is ( \frac{1}{4} ).
Step 2
Explain why this sequence approaches a limit as $n \to \infty$.
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Answer
The sequence approaches a limit because the absolute value of the coefficient m=41 satisfies the condition:
−1<m<1
That means the sequence is stable enough for the terms to converge as n increases.
Step 3
Calculate this limit.
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Answer
To find the limit, we set the limit L of the sequence when n→∞. Thus:
L=mL+6
Substituting m=41 gives:
L=41L+6
To isolate L, rearranging yields:
L−41L=643L=6L=6⋅34=8
Therefore, the limit as n→∞ is 8.
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