Exercise · ZW-STRONG-INDUCTION-006 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Let \(a_1=1\), \(a_2=2\) and \(a_n=a_{n-1}+a_{n-2}\). What is \(a_8\)?

Choose one option.

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  • D. \(34\)

Explanation

The terms are \(1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34\). The value \(21\) is \(a_7\).

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Review the concept: Strong induction

Strong induction proves \(P(n)\) for every \(n\ge n_0\): after checking the base case \(P(n_0)\), one proves \(P(k+1)\) assuming \(P(j)\) for all \(j\) with \(n_0\le j\le k\).

\[\big[P(n_0)\wedge\forall k\ge n_0\,(P(n_0)\wedge\cdots\wedge P(k)\Rightarrow P(k+1))\big]\Rightarrow\forall n\ge n_0\,P(n)\]

More practice problems: strong induction

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