The Fibonacci numbers are defined recursively by the equation \(F_n = F_{n - 1} + F_{n - 2}\)
for every integer \(n \ge 2\), with initial values \(F_0 = 0\) and \(F_1 = 1\). Let \(G_n = F_{3n}\) be every third Fibonacci number. There are constants \(a\) and \(b\) such that every integer \(n \ge 2\) satisfies \(G_n = a G_{n - 1} + b G_{n - 2}\)
Find \((a, b)\).
(I put a lot of effort making all the latex properly so please help asap. THX)
Both Melody and CPhill are offline now. I will try to answer that.
This means \(F_{3n} = aF_{3n - 3} + bF_{3n - 6}\) by the definition of \(G\).
Then, we try some \(F_{3n}, F_{3n - 3}, F_{3n - 6}\). For this to be possible, we need the values of \(F_n\) from n = 0 up to n = 9.
\(F_0 = 0\\ F_1 = 1\\ F_2 = 1\\ F_3 = 2\\ F_4 = 3\\ F_5 = 5\\ F_6 = 8\\ F_7 = 13\\ F_8 = 21\\ F_9 = 34\)
Then, using the equation on the first line of my solution and substituting n = 2 and n = 3,
\(\begin{cases}F_6 = aF_3 + bF_0\\F_9=aF_6+bF_3\end{cases}\)
Simplifying,
\(\begin{cases}2a = 8\\8a + 2b = 34\end{cases}\)
Solving gives \(a = 4, b = 1\).
Therefore, \((a, b) = (4, 1)\).