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Worked solution

Compare arithmetic and geometric partial sums

The seventh, third and first AP terms (nonzero common difference) are respectively the first three GP terms. Show that the geometric series converges. The seventh AP term is 33. Find the smallest nn for which the first nn AP terms exceed the first nn GP terms by at least 100100.

[2008/AJC/II/2(modified)]

CJC · Discussion · Question 8

Answer

The GP ratio is 1/21/2; smallest n=23n=23.

Relate the two progressions

With AP terms a+6d,a+2d,aa+6d,a+2d,a forming the GP, (a+2d)2=a(a+6d)(a+2d)^2=a(a+6d). Thus 2d(2d−a)=02d(2d-a)=0, and d≠0d\ne0 gives a=2da=2d. The GP ratio is a/(a+2d)=1/2a/(a+2d)=1/2, so its series converges.

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Calibrate and compare the sums

a+6d=8d=3a+6d=8d=3, so d=3/8d=3/8, a=3/4a=3/4, while the GP starts at 33. The difference is Dn=3n(n+3)16−6(1−2−n)D_n=\dfrac{3n(n+3)}{16}-6(1-2^{-n}). Require Dn≥100D_n\ge100.

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Locate the first admissible integer

The source table gives D22≈97.125D_{22}\approx97.125, D23≈106.13D_{23}\approx106.13, D24≈115.5D_{24}\approx115.5. Moreover Dn+1−Dn=3/4+3n/8−3/2n>0D_{n+1}-D_n=3/4+3n/8-3/2^n>0 for n≥2n\ge2, and the first two differences are below 100100. Thus the smallest value is n=23n=23.

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Common mistakes

“At least 100” includes equality, unlike a strict exceedance bound.

Read the hint