Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2024/ii/paper-2/11g/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 ii Paper 2 11G Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-23 Updated 2026-09-24
Put . The identityfollows by induction: multiplying the formula for by gives the two stated recurrences in the first column and in the second. The associated Möbius transformations , applied from the right to , show that the first-column ratio is the displayed positive generalized continued fraction.
Now set every . Taking determinants in the matrix identity givesConsequently adjacent convergents differ byThe recurrence and imply , so . The determinant signs show that the even convergents increase, the odd convergents decrease, and every even one is below every odd one. Their adjacent separation tends to zero, so both subsequences have a common limit . Since lies between each adjacent pair, the convergence of a positive simple continued fraction gives exactly
If all as well, the recurrence and initial values giveThe characteristic roots of are
and , henceTherefore . Moreover,Using yieldsandThis is the all-one continued fraction and Fibonacci ratios case.
and , henceTherefore . Moreover,Using yieldsandThis is the all-one continued fraction and Fibonacci ratios case.
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