If \alpha, \beta are the roots of the equation x^2-x+q=0

Naomi Hopkins

Naomi Hopkins

Answered question

2022-04-23

If α,β are the roots of the equation x2x+q=0 and Sr=αr+βr, find Sn in terms of aiSni, where ai are constant terms for each Sn1.

Answer & Explanation

Draidayerabauu

Draidayerabauu

Beginner2022-04-24Added 9 answers

Step 1
Note that the roots satisfy x2=xq. In particular, they satisfy
xn=xn1qxn2
for n2. In matrix form, we may write this as
αnαn-1=1-q10αn-1αn-2;  n2.
Step 2
Inductively, we get
αnαn-1=1-q10n-1α1;  n2.
And similarly, we have the same for β. Adding the similar equation for β to the above equation gives us
SnSn-1=1-q10n-112;  n2.
Step 3
Thus, we have
[Sn]=101-q10n-112;  n2.
This is a "closed form" for a lenient enough definition. If you are not satisfied, you can do better by diagonalising (if αβ) the above matrix and getting a better form for it.(However, that will not be particularly helpful since it would involve αn and βn.)

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