Göbel's sequence

In mathematics, a Göbel sequence is a sequence of rational numbers defined by the recurrence relation

x_{n}={\frac {x_{0}^{2}+x_{1}^{2}+\cdots +x_{n-1}^{2}}{n-1}},\!\,

with starting value

x_{0}=x_{1}=1.

Göbel's sequence starts with

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 28, 154, 3520, 1551880, ... (sequence A003504 in the OEIS)

The first non-integral value is x₄₃.^[1]

History[edit]

This sequence was developed by the German mathematician Fritz Göbel in the 1970s.^[2] In 1975, the Dutch mathematician Hendrik Lenstra showed that the 43rd term is not an integer.^[2]

Generalization[edit]

Göbel's sequence can be generalized to kth powers by

x_{n}={\frac {x_{0}^{k}+x_{1}^{k}+\cdots +x_{n-1}^{k}}{n}}.

The least indices at which the k-Göbel sequences assume a non-integral value are

43, 89, 97, 214, 19, 239, 37, 79, 83, 239, ... (sequence A108394 in the OEIS)

Regardless of the value chosen for k, the initial 19 terms are always integers.^[3]^[2]

References[edit]

^ Guy, Richard K. (1981). Unsolved Problems in Number Theory. Springer New York. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-4757-1740-2.
^ ^a ^b ^c Stone, Alex (2023). "The Astonishing Behavior of Recursive Sequences". Quanta Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
^ Matsuhira, Rinnosuke; Matsusaka, Toshiki; Tsuchida, Koki (19 July 2023). "How long can k-Göbel sequences remain integers?". arXiv:2307.09741 [math.NT].

External links[edit]

Göbel's Sequence

[1] Guy, Richard K. (1981). Unsolved Problems in Number Theory. Springer New York. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-4757-1740-2.

[:0-2] Stone, Alex (2023). "The Astonishing Behavior of Recursive Sequences". Quanta Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-17.

[3] Matsuhira, Rinnosuke; Matsusaka, Toshiki; Tsuchida, Koki (19 July 2023). "How long can k-Göbel sequences remain integers?". arXiv:2307.09741 [math.NT].

[1]

[2]

[3]

History[edit]

Generalization[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]