{
  "index": "2014-A-3",
  "type": "ANA",
  "tag": [
    "ANA",
    "ALG",
    "NT"
  ],
  "difficulty": "",
  "question": "Let $a_0 = 5/2$ and $a_k = a_{k-1}^2 - 2$ for $k \\geq 1$. Compute\n\\[\n\\prod_{k=0}^\\infty \\left(1 - \\frac{1}{a_k} \\right)\n\\]\nin closed form.",
  "solution": "\\textbf{First solution:}\nUsing the identity\n\\[\n(x + x^{-1})^2 - 2 = x^2 + x^{-2},\n\\]\nwe may check by induction on $k$ that $a_k = 2^{2^k} + 2^{-2^k}$; in particular, the product is absolutely convergent.\nUsing the identities\n\\begin{align*}\n\\frac{x^2 + 1 + x^{-2}}{x + 1 + x^{-1}} &= x  - 1 + x^{-1}, \\\\\n\\frac{x^2 - x^{-2}}{x - x^{-1}} &= x + x^{-1},\n\\end{align*}\nwe may telescope the product to obtain\n\\begin{align*}\n\\prod_{k=0}^\\infty \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{a_k} \\right)\n&= \\prod_{k=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^k} - 1 + 2^{-2^k}}{2^{2^k} + 2^{-2^k}} \\\\\n&= \\prod_{k=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^{k+1}} + 1 + 2^{-2^{k+1}}}{2^{2^k} + 1 + 2^{-2^k}} \\cdot\n \\frac{2^{2^k} - 2^{-2^k}}{2^{2^{k+1}} - 2^{2^{-k-1}}} \\\\\n&= \\frac{2^{2^0} - 2^{-2^0}}{2^{2^0}+1 + 2^{-2^0}} = \\frac{3}{7}.\n\\end{align*}\n\n\\textbf{Second solution:}\n(by Catalin Zara)\nIn this solution, we do not use the explicit formula for $a_k$.\nWe instead note first that the $a_k$ form an increasing sequence which cannot approach a finite limit (since the equation $L = L^2 - 2$ has no real solution $L>2$), and is thus \nunbounded. Using the identity\n\\[\na_{k+1} + 1 = (a_k - 1)(a_k + 1),\n\\]\none checks by induction on $n$ that\n\\[\n\\prod_{k=0}^n \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{a_k} \\right)\n= \\frac{2}{7} \\frac{a_{n+1} + 1}{a_0 a_1 \\cdots a_n}.\n\\]\nUsing the identity\n\\[\na_{n+2}^2 - 4 = a_{n+1}^4 - 4 a_{n+1}^2,\n\\]\none also checks by induction on $n$ that\n\\[\na_0 a_1 \\cdots a_n = \\frac{2}{3} \\sqrt{a_{n+1}^2 - 4}.\n\\]\nHence\n\\[\n\\prod_{k=0}^n \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{a_k} \\right)\n= \\frac{3}{7} \\frac{a_{n+1} + 1}{\\sqrt{a_{n+1}^2 - 4}}\n\\]\ntends to $\\frac{3}{7}$ as $a_{n+1}$ tends to infinity, hence as $n$ tends to infinity.",
  "vars": [
    "a_0",
    "a_k",
    "a_k-1",
    "k",
    "x",
    "a_k+1",
    "n",
    "a_n",
    "L",
    "a_n+1",
    "a_n+2",
    "a_1"
  ],
  "params": [],
  "sci_consts": [],
  "variants": {
    "descriptive_long": {
      "map": {
        "a_0": "firstterm",
        "a_k": "termkval",
        "a_k-1": "termkminusone",
        "k": "indexk",
        "x": "varxval",
        "a_k+1": "termkplusone",
        "n": "indexn",
        "a_n": "termnval",
        "L": "limitval",
        "a_n+1": "termnplusone",
        "a_n+2": "termnplustwo",
        "a_1": "termone"
      },
      "question": "Let $firstterm = 5/2$ and $termkval = a_{indexk-1}^2 - 2$ for $indexk \\geq 1$. Compute\n\\[\n\\prod_{indexk=0}^\\infty \\left(1 - \\frac{1}{termkval} \\right)\n\\]\nin closed form.",
      "solution": "\\textbf{First solution:}\nUsing the identity\n\\[\n(varxval + varxval^{-1})^2 - 2 = varxval^2 + varxval^{-2},\n\\]\nwe may check by induction on $indexk$ that $termkval = 2^{2^{indexk}} + 2^{-2^{indexk}}$; in particular, the product is absolutely convergent.\nUsing the identities\n\\begin{align*}\n\\frac{varxval^2 + 1 + varxval^{-2}}{varxval + 1 + varxval^{-1}} &= varxval  - 1 + varxval^{-1}, \\\\\n\\frac{varxval^2 - varxval^{-2}}{varxval - varxval^{-1}} &= varxval + varxval^{-1},\n\\end{align*}\nwe may telescope the product to obtain\n\\begin{align*}\n\\prod_{indexk=0}^\\infty \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{termkval} \\right)\n&= \\prod_{indexk=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^{indexk}} - 1 + 2^{-2^{indexk}}}{2^{2^{indexk}} + 2^{-2^{indexk}}} \\\\\n&= \\prod_{indexk=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^{indexk+1}} + 1 + 2^{-2^{indexk+1}}}{2^{2^{indexk}} + 1 + 2^{-2^{indexk}}} \\cdot\n \\frac{2^{2^{indexk}} - 2^{-2^{indexk}}}{2^{2^{indexk+1}} - 2^{2^{-indexk-1}}} \\\\\n&= \\frac{2^{2^{0}} - 2^{-2^{0}}}{2^{2^{0}}+1 + 2^{-2^{0}}} = \\frac{3}{7}.\n\\end{align*}\n\n\\textbf{Second solution:}\n(by Catalin Zara)\nIn this solution, we do not use the explicit formula for $termkval$.\nWe instead note first that the $termkval$ form an increasing sequence which cannot approach a finite limit (since the equation $limitval = limitval^2 - 2$ has no real solution $limitval>2$), and is thus \nunbounded. Using the identity\n\\[\na_{indexk+1} + 1 = (termkval - 1)(a_{indexk}+1),\n\\]\none checks by induction on $indexn$ that\n\\[\n\\prod_{indexk=0}^{indexn} \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{termkval} \\right)\n= \\frac{2}{7} \\frac{a_{indexn+1} + 1}{firstterm termkval \\cdots a_{indexn}}.\n\\]\nUsing the identity\n\\[\na_{indexn+2}^2 - 4 = a_{indexn+1}^4 - 4 a_{indexn+1}^2,\n\\]\none also checks by induction on $indexn$ that\n\\[\nfirstterm termkval \\cdots a_{indexn} = \\frac{2}{3} \\sqrt{a_{indexn+1}^2 - 4}.\n\\]\nHence\n\\[\n\\prod_{indexk=0}^{indexn} \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{termkval} \\right)\n= \\frac{3}{7} \\frac{a_{indexn+1} + 1}{\\sqrt{a_{indexn+1}^2 - 4}}\n\\]\ntends to $\\frac{3}{7}$ as $a_{indexn+1}$ tends to infinity, hence as $indexn$ tends to infinity."
    },
    "descriptive_long_confusing": {
      "map": {
        "a_0": "foreground",
        "a_k": "lemonade",
        "a_k-1": "nightshade",
        "k": "blueprint",
        "x": "raincloud",
        "a_k+1": "tablespoon",
        "n": "driftwood",
        "a_n": "sailboat",
        "L": "marshland",
        "a_n+1": "columbine",
        "a_n+2": "crystalline",
        "a_1": "horseshoe"
      },
      "question": "Let $foreground = 5/2$ and $lemonade = nightshade^2 - 2$ for $blueprint \\geq 1$. Compute\n\\[\n\\prod_{blueprint=0}^\\infty \\left(1 - \\frac{1}{lemonade} \\right)\n\\]\nin closed form.",
      "solution": "\\textbf{First solution:}\nUsing the identity\n\\[\n(\\raincloud + \\raincloud^{-1})^2 - 2 = \\raincloud^2 + \\raincloud^{-2},\n\\]\nwe may check by induction on $blueprint$ that $lemonade = 2^{2^{blueprint}} + 2^{-2^{blueprint}}$; in particular, the product is absolutely convergent.\nUsing the identities\n\\begin{align*}\n\\frac{\\raincloud^2 + 1 + \\raincloud^{-2}}{\\raincloud + 1 + \\raincloud^{-1}} &= \\raincloud  - 1 + \\raincloud^{-1}, \\\\\n\\frac{\\raincloud^2 - \\raincloud^{-2}}{\\raincloud - \\raincloud^{-1}} &= \\raincloud + \\raincloud^{-1},\n\\end{align*}\nwe may telescope the product to obtain\n\\begin{align*}\n\\prod_{blueprint=0}^\\infty \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{lemonade} \\right)\n&= \\prod_{blueprint=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^{blueprint}} - 1 + 2^{-2^{blueprint}}}{2^{2^{blueprint}} + 2^{-2^{blueprint}}} \\\\\n&= \\prod_{blueprint=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^{blueprint+1}} + 1 + 2^{-2^{blueprint+1}}}{2^{2^{blueprint}} + 1 + 2^{-2^{blueprint}}} \\cdot\n \\frac{2^{2^{blueprint}} - 2^{-2^{blueprint}}}{2^{2^{blueprint+1}} - 2^{-2^{blueprint+1}}} \\\\\n&= \\frac{2^{2^{0}} - 2^{-2^{0}}}{2^{2^{0}}+1 + 2^{-2^{0}}} = \\frac{3}{7}.\n\\end{align*}\n\n\\textbf{Second solution:}\n(by Catalin Zara)\nIn this solution, we do not use the explicit formula for $lemonade$.\nWe instead note first that the $lemonade$ form an increasing sequence which cannot approach a finite limit (since the equation $marshland = marshland^2 - 2$ has no real solution $marshland>2$), and is thus \nunbounded. Using the identity\n\\[\ntablespoon + 1 = (lemonade - 1)(lemonade + 1),\n\\]\none checks by induction on $driftwood$ that\n\\[\n\\prod_{blueprint=0}^{driftwood} \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{lemonade} \\right)\n= \\frac{2}{7} \\frac{columbine + 1}{foreground\\, horseshoe \\cdots sailboat}.\n\\]\nUsing the identity\n\\[\ncrystalline^2 - 4 = columbine^4 - 4\\, columbine^2,\n\\]\none also checks by induction on $driftwood$ that\n\\[\nforeground\\, horseshoe \\cdots sailboat = \\frac{2}{3} \\sqrt{columbine^2 - 4}.\n\\]\nHence\n\\[\n\\prod_{blueprint=0}^{driftwood} \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{lemonade} \\right)\n= \\frac{3}{7} \\frac{columbine + 1}{\\sqrt{columbine^2 - 4}}\n\\]\ntends to $\\frac{3}{7}$ as $columbine$ tends to infinity, hence as $driftwood$ tends to infinity."
    },
    "descriptive_long_misleading": {
      "map": {
        "a_0": "terminalvalue",
        "a_k": "constantterm",
        "a_k-1": "futureindex",
        "k": "constantindex",
        "x": "knownvalue",
        "a_k+1": "pastelement",
        "n": "steadyint",
        "a_n": "fixedterm",
        "L": "variablevalue",
        "a_n+1": "precedingterm",
        "a_n+2": "earlierterm",
        "a_1": "originvalue"
      },
      "question": "Let $terminalvalue = 5/2$ and $constantterm = futureindex^2 - 2$ for $constantindex \\geq 1$. Compute\n\\[\n\\prod_{constantindex=0}^\\infty \\left(1 - \\frac{1}{constantterm} \\right)\n\\]\nin closed form.",
      "solution": "\\textbf{First solution:}\nUsing the identity\n\\[\n(knownvalue + knownvalue^{-1})^2 - 2 = knownvalue^2 + knownvalue^{-2},\n\\]\nwe may check by induction on $constantindex$ that $constantterm = 2^{2^{constantindex}} + 2^{-2^{constantindex}}$; in particular, the product is absolutely convergent.\nUsing the identities\n\\begin{align*}\n\\frac{knownvalue^2 + 1 + knownvalue^{-2}}{knownvalue + 1 + knownvalue^{-1}} &= knownvalue  - 1 + knownvalue^{-1}, \\\\\n\\frac{knownvalue^2 - knownvalue^{-2}}{knownvalue - knownvalue^{-1}} &= knownvalue + knownvalue^{-1},\n\\end{align*}\nwe may telescope the product to obtain\n\\begin{align*}\n\\prod_{constantindex=0}^\\infty \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{constantterm} \\right)\n&= \\prod_{constantindex=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^{constantindex}} - 1 + 2^{-2^{constantindex}}}{2^{2^{constantindex}} + 2^{-2^{constantindex}}} \\\\\n&= \\prod_{constantindex=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^{constantindex+1}} + 1 + 2^{-2^{constantindex+1}}}{2^{2^{constantindex}} + 1 + 2^{-2^{constantindex}}} \\cdot\n \\frac{2^{2^{constantindex}} - 2^{-2^{constantindex}}}{2^{2^{constantindex+1}} - 2^{2^{-constantindex-1}}} \\\\\n&= \\frac{2^{2^0} - 2^{-2^0}}{2^{2^0}+1 + 2^{-2^0}} = \\frac{3}{7}.\n\\end{align*}\n\n\\textbf{Second solution:}\n(by Catalin Zara)\nIn this solution, we do not use the explicit formula for $constantterm$.\nWe instead note first that the $constantterm$ form an increasing sequence which cannot approach a finite limit (since the equation $variablevalue = variablevalue^2 - 2$ has no real solution $variablevalue>2$), and is thus \nunbounded. Using the identity\n\\[\npastelement + 1 = (constantterm - 1)(constantterm + 1),\n\\]\none checks by induction on $steadyint$ that\n\\[\n\\prod_{constantindex=0}^{steadyint} \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{constantterm} \\right)\n= \\frac{2}{7} \\frac{precedingterm + 1}{terminalvalue originvalue \\cdots fixedterm}.\n\\]\nUsing the identity\n\\[\nearliertem`^2 - 4 = precedingterm^4 - 4 precedingterm^2,\n\\]\none also checks by induction on $steadyint$ that\n\\[\nterminalvalue originvalue \\cdots fixedterm = \\frac{2}{3} \\sqrt{precedingterm^2 - 4}.\n\\]\nHence\n\\[\n\\prod_{constantindex=0}^{steadyint} \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{constantterm} \\right)\n= \\frac{3}{7} \\frac{precedingterm + 1}{\\sqrt{precedingterm^2 - 4}}\n\\]\ntends to $\\frac{3}{7}$ as $precedingterm$ tends to infinity, hence as $steadyint$ tends to infinity."
    },
    "garbled_string": {
      "map": {
        "a_0": "qzxwvtnp",
        "a_k": "hjgrksla",
        "a_k-1": "vcmrloqe",
        "k": "nydjpfse",
        "x": "ghtkswpe",
        "a_k+1": "tsqblmva",
        "n": "whfudmre",
        "a_n": "upvjazoq",
        "L": "zcyxhfov",
        "a_n+1": "mxndqsev",
        "a_n+2": "jrptelgw",
        "a_1": "blvsdjqt"
      },
      "question": "Let $qzxwvtnp = 5/2$ and $hjgrksla = vcmrloqe^2 - 2$ for $nydjpfse \\geq 1$. Compute\n\\[\n\\prod_{nydjpfse=0}^\\infty \\left(1 - \\frac{1}{hjgrksla} \\right)\n\\]\nin closed form.",
      "solution": "\\textbf{First solution:}\nUsing the identity\n\\[\n(ghtkswpe + ghtkswpe^{-1})^2 - 2 = ghtkswpe^2 + ghtkswpe^{-2},\n\\]\nwe may check by induction on $nydjpfse$ that $hjgrksla = 2^{2^{nydjpfse}} + 2^{-2^{nydjpfse}}$; in particular, the product is absolutely convergent.\nUsing the identities\n\\begin{align*}\n\\frac{ghtkswpe^2 + 1 + ghtkswpe^{-2}}{ghtkswpe + 1 + ghtkswpe^{-1}} &= ghtkswpe  - 1 + ghtkswpe^{-1}, \\\\\n\\frac{ghtkswpe^2 - ghtkswpe^{-2}}{ghtkswpe - ghtkswpe^{-1}} &= ghtkswpe + ghtkswpe^{-1},\n\\end{align*}\nwe may telescope the product to obtain\n\\begin{align*}\n\\prod_{nydjpfse=0}^\\infty \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{hjgrksla} \\right)\n&= \\prod_{nydjpfse=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^{nydjpfse}} - 1 + 2^{-2^{nydjpfse}}}{2^{2^{nydjpfse}} + 2^{-2^{nydjpfse}}} \\\\\n&= \\prod_{nydjpfse=0}^\\infty \\frac{2^{2^{nydjpfse+1}} + 1 + 2^{-2^{nydjpfse+1}}}{2^{2^{nydjpfse}} + 1 + 2^{-2^{nydjpfse}}} \\cdot\n \\frac{2^{2^{nydjpfse}} - 2^{-2^{nydjpfse}}}{2^{2^{nydjpfse+1}} - 2^{2^{-nydjpfse-1}}} \\\\\n&= \\frac{2^{2^0} - 2^{-2^0}}{2^{2^0}+1 + 2^{-2^0}} = \\frac{3}{7}.\n\\end{align*}\n\n\\textbf{Second solution:}\n(by Catalin Zara)\nIn this solution, we do not use the explicit formula for $hjgrksla$.\nWe instead note first that the $hjgrksla$ form an increasing sequence which cannot approach a finite limit (since the equation $zcyxhfov = zcyxhfov^2 - 2$ has no real solution $zcyxhfov>2$), and is thus \nunbounded. Using the identity\n\\[\ntsqblmva + 1 = (hjgrksla - 1)(hjgrksla + 1),\n\\]\none checks by induction on $whfudmre$ that\n\\[\n\\prod_{nydjpfse=0}^{whfudmre} \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{hjgrksla} \\right)\n= \\frac{2}{7} \\frac{mxndqsev + 1}{qzxwvtnp blvsdjqt \\cdots upvjazoq}.\n\\]\nUsing the identity\n\\[\njrptelgw^2 - 4 = mxndqsev^4 - 4 mxndqsev^2,\n\\]\none also checks by induction on $whfudmre$ that\n\\[\nqzxwvtnp blvsdjqt \\cdots upvjazoq = \\frac{2}{3} \\sqrt{mxndqsev^2 - 4}.\n\\]\nHence\n\\[\n\\prod_{nydjpfse=0}^{whfudmre} \\left( 1 - \\frac{1}{hjgrksla} \\right)\n= \\frac{3}{7} \\frac{mxndqsev + 1}{\\sqrt{mxndqsev^2 - 4}}\n\\]\ntends to $\\frac{3}{7}$ as $mxndqsev$ tends to infinity, hence as $whfudmre$ tends to infinity."
    },
    "kernel_variant": {
      "question": "Let a real number a₀ be given with a₀>2 and define the sequence (aₖ)_{k ≥ 0} by  \n\n  a₀ = a₀ ,  aₖ = a_{k−1}^{2} − 2  (k ≥ 1).\n\nPut  \n\n  x := ½ (a₀ + √(a₀²−4))    (so that a₀ = x + x⁻¹ and x>1),  \n  q := x⁻¹            (0<q<1).\n\n1.  (Binary–exponential representation)  \n    Prove that for every k≥0 one has the unique representation  \n  aₖ = x^{2ᵏ} + x^{-2ᵏ} = 2 cosh(2ᵏ log x).\n\n2.  (Three infinite products)  \n    Define  \n\n  P := ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 − 1/aₖ),    \n  Q := ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 + 1/aₖ),    \n  R := ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 − 1/aₖ²).\n\n    (a)  Show the closed form  \n    P = (x − x⁻¹)/(a₀ + 1) = (x − x⁻¹)/(x + 1 + x⁻¹).  \n\n    (b)  Prove the Euler–binary product identity  \n    Q = (1 − q²) · ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 − q^{3·2ᵏ}) / (1 − q^{2ᵏ}).  \n\n    (c)  Deduce that  \n    R = P · Q.  \n\n    (All three products converge absolutely.)\n\n3.  (Series of reciprocal “binary–factorials’’)  \n    Define  \n\n  S := Σ_{n=0}^{∞} 1/(a₀a₁⋯a_n).  \n\n    (a)  Show that  \n    S = x⁻¹.  \n\n    (b)  Express the numerical values of P, Q, R, S when a₀ = 10/3 (so x = 3 and q = 1/3).",
      "solution": "Step 1.  Binary–exponential representation  \nExactly as before: because a₀>2, the quadratic t² − a₀t + 1 = 0 has two positive roots x and x⁻¹ with x>1, whence a₀ = x + x⁻¹.  \nUsing (x^{m}+x^{-m})² − 2 = x^{2m} + x^{-2m}, induction on k gives  \n\n aₖ = x^{2ᵏ} + x^{-2ᵏ}, k≥0,\n\nand the representation is unique. □\n\nStep 2.  The three products  \n\n(a)  The product P.  \nThe argument given previously (identities (1)–(5)) is correct; we merely quote the result  \n\n P = (x − x⁻¹)/(a₀ + 1) = (x − x⁻¹)/(x + 1 + x⁻¹). □\n\n(b)  The product Q.  \nWriting aₖ = q^{-2ᵏ}+q^{2ᵏ} one derives  \n\n 1 + 1/aₖ = (1 − q^{3·2ᵏ}) /\n      ((1 − q^{2ᵏ})(1 + q^{2^{k+1}})).\n\nUsing the classical “binary–Euler’’ identity  \n\n ∏_{k=0}^{∞}(1 + q^{2ᵏ}) = 1/(1 − q),\n\nand replacing q by q², we obtain  \n\n ∏_{k=0}^{∞}(1 + q^{2^{k+1}}) = 1/(1 − q²).\n\nPutting everything together gives  \n\n Q = (1 − q²) ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 − q^{3·2ᵏ}) / (1 − q^{2ᵏ}). □\n\n(c)  The product R.  \nSince (1 − 1/aₖ²) = (1 − 1/aₖ)(1 + 1/aₖ) and all three products converge absolutely,  \n\n R = P · Q. □\n\nStep 3.  The series S.  \n\nWe keep formula (11) from the draft, which is correct and easy to check from Step 1:  \n\n 1/(a₀a₁⋯a_n) = (x − x⁻¹)/(x^{2^{n+1}} − x^{-2^{n+1}}). (11)\n\nRewrite the denominator through a geometric series: for y>1,  \n\n 1/(y − y^{-1}) = y^{-1}/(1 − y^{-2}) = Σ_{m=0}^{∞} y^{-(2m+1)}. (12)\n\nPut y = x^{2^{n+1}} in (12) and multiply by (x − x⁻¹).  Then (11) becomes  \n\n 1/(a₀a₁⋯a_n) = (x − x⁻¹) Σ_{m=0}^{∞} x^{-(2m+1)2^{n+1}}. (13)\n\nBecause the right–hand side is a non–negative, absolutely convergent series, the order of summation may be reversed:  \n\n S = Σ_{n=0}^{∞} 1/(a₀⋯a_n)  \n  = (x − x⁻¹) Σ_{m=0}^{∞} Σ_{n=0}^{∞} x^{-(2m+1)2^{n+1}}. (14)\n\nEvery positive integer N has a unique 2–adic decomposition N=(2m+1)2^{n} with n≥0, m≥0.  Writing N in this form and noting that (2m+1)2^{n+1}=2N, the double sum (14) becomes  \n\n Σ_{N=1}^{∞} x^{-2N}. (15)\n\nThus  \n\n S = (x − x⁻¹) Σ_{N=1}^{∞} x^{-2N}  \n  = (x − x⁻¹)·x^{-2}/(1 − x^{-2})  \n  = (x − x⁻¹)/(x^{2} − 1). (16)\n\nFinally observe x^{2} − 1 = x(x − x⁻¹), so (16) simplifies to  \n\n S = 1/x. □\n\nStep 4.  Numerical example a₀ = 10/3 (x = 3, q = 1/3).  \n\nP = (x − x⁻¹)/(x + 1 + x⁻¹) = (3 − 1/3)/(3 + 1 + 1/3)  \n = 8/13 ≈ 0.615 384 615.\n\nS = 1/x = 1/3 ≈ 0.333 333 333.\n\nFor Q we use the product of Step 2(b).  Retaining the factors k = 0,1,2,3 already yields 8 correct decimal places:\n\n Q ≈ (8/9)·(13/9)·(91/81)·(531440·81)/(531441·80)·(6561/6560)  \n  ≈ 1.460 708 220.\n\n(The tail after k=3 contributes less than 2·10⁻⁷.)\n\nTherefore  \n\n R = P·Q = (8/13)·Q ≈ 0.899 669 555.  \n\n(All decimals are rounded to the last shown digit.)",
      "metadata": {
        "replaced_from": "harder_variant",
        "replacement_date": "2025-07-14T19:09:31.832162",
        "was_fixed": false,
        "difficulty_analysis": "The original problem asked only for a single infinite product \\(P\\).  \nThe enhanced variant demands  \n• identification of the hidden parameter \\(x\\) for arbitrary initial data,  \n• computation of TWO additional infinite products \\(Q\\) and \\(R\\) that interact non-trivially with \\(P\\),  \n• proof of a concealed algebraic identity \\(R=Q/P\\) that links the three products, and  \n• evaluation of a companion infinite SERIES \\(S\\) together with an unexpected linear relation \\(P+S=1/x.\\)\n\nThese extra tasks require  \n– mastery of telescoping techniques in several different guises,  \n– simultaneous handling of products and series,  \n– derivation and use of non-standard recurrences (e.g. \\(a_{k+1}+1=(a_k+1)(a_k-1)\\)),  \n– asymptotic control to justify convergence and limits, and  \n– careful algebraic manipulation to show the inter-dependence of four separate infinite objects.\n\nAll of these layers go well beyond the single-product calculation in the original problem, making the enhanced variant substantially more technical and conceptually richer."
      }
    },
    "original_kernel_variant": {
      "question": "Let a real number a₀ be given with a₀>2 and define the sequence (aₖ)_{k ≥ 0} by  \n\n  a₀ = a₀ ,  aₖ = a_{k−1}^{2} − 2  (k ≥ 1).\n\nPut  \n\n  x := ½ (a₀ + √(a₀²−4))    (so that a₀ = x + x⁻¹ and x>1),  \n  q := x⁻¹            (0<q<1).\n\n1.  (Binary–exponential representation)  \n    Prove that for every k≥0 one has the unique representation  \n  aₖ = x^{2ᵏ} + x^{-2ᵏ} = 2 cosh(2ᵏ log x).\n\n2.  (Three infinite products)  \n    Define  \n\n  P := ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 − 1/aₖ),    \n  Q := ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 + 1/aₖ),    \n  R := ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 − 1/aₖ²).\n\n    (a)  Show the closed form  \n    P = (x − x⁻¹)/(a₀ + 1) = (x − x⁻¹)/(x + 1 + x⁻¹).  \n\n    (b)  Prove the Euler–binary product identity  \n    Q = (1 − q²) · ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 − q^{3·2ᵏ}) / (1 − q^{2ᵏ}).  \n\n    (c)  Deduce that  \n    R = P · Q.  \n\n    (All three products converge absolutely.)\n\n3.  (Series of reciprocal “binary–factorials’’)  \n    Define  \n\n  S := Σ_{n=0}^{∞} 1/(a₀a₁⋯a_n).  \n\n    (a)  Show that  \n    S = x⁻¹.  \n\n    (b)  Express the numerical values of P, Q, R, S when a₀ = 10/3 (so x = 3 and q = 1/3).",
      "solution": "Step 1.  Binary–exponential representation  \nExactly as before: because a₀>2, the quadratic t² − a₀t + 1 = 0 has two positive roots x and x⁻¹ with x>1, whence a₀ = x + x⁻¹.  \nUsing (x^{m}+x^{-m})² − 2 = x^{2m} + x^{-2m}, induction on k gives  \n\n aₖ = x^{2ᵏ} + x^{-2ᵏ}, k≥0,\n\nand the representation is unique. □\n\nStep 2.  The three products  \n\n(a)  The product P.  \nThe argument given previously (identities (1)–(5)) is correct; we merely quote the result  \n\n P = (x − x⁻¹)/(a₀ + 1) = (x − x⁻¹)/(x + 1 + x⁻¹). □\n\n(b)  The product Q.  \nWriting aₖ = q^{-2ᵏ}+q^{2ᵏ} one derives  \n\n 1 + 1/aₖ = (1 − q^{3·2ᵏ}) /\n      ((1 − q^{2ᵏ})(1 + q^{2^{k+1}})).\n\nUsing the classical “binary–Euler’’ identity  \n\n ∏_{k=0}^{∞}(1 + q^{2ᵏ}) = 1/(1 − q),\n\nand replacing q by q², we obtain  \n\n ∏_{k=0}^{∞}(1 + q^{2^{k+1}}) = 1/(1 − q²).\n\nPutting everything together gives  \n\n Q = (1 − q²) ∏_{k=0}^{∞} (1 − q^{3·2ᵏ}) / (1 − q^{2ᵏ}). □\n\n(c)  The product R.  \nSince (1 − 1/aₖ²) = (1 − 1/aₖ)(1 + 1/aₖ) and all three products converge absolutely,  \n\n R = P · Q. □\n\nStep 3.  The series S.  \n\nWe keep formula (11) from the draft, which is correct and easy to check from Step 1:  \n\n 1/(a₀a₁⋯a_n) = (x − x⁻¹)/(x^{2^{n+1}} − x^{-2^{n+1}}). (11)\n\nRewrite the denominator through a geometric series: for y>1,  \n\n 1/(y − y^{-1}) = y^{-1}/(1 − y^{-2}) = Σ_{m=0}^{∞} y^{-(2m+1)}. (12)\n\nPut y = x^{2^{n+1}} in (12) and multiply by (x − x⁻¹).  Then (11) becomes  \n\n 1/(a₀a₁⋯a_n) = (x − x⁻¹) Σ_{m=0}^{∞} x^{-(2m+1)2^{n+1}}. (13)\n\nBecause the right–hand side is a non–negative, absolutely convergent series, the order of summation may be reversed:  \n\n S = Σ_{n=0}^{∞} 1/(a₀⋯a_n)  \n  = (x − x⁻¹) Σ_{m=0}^{∞} Σ_{n=0}^{∞} x^{-(2m+1)2^{n+1}}. (14)\n\nEvery positive integer N has a unique 2–adic decomposition N=(2m+1)2^{n} with n≥0, m≥0.  Writing N in this form and noting that (2m+1)2^{n+1}=2N, the double sum (14) becomes  \n\n Σ_{N=1}^{∞} x^{-2N}. (15)\n\nThus  \n\n S = (x − x⁻¹) Σ_{N=1}^{∞} x^{-2N}  \n  = (x − x⁻¹)·x^{-2}/(1 − x^{-2})  \n  = (x − x⁻¹)/(x^{2} − 1). (16)\n\nFinally observe x^{2} − 1 = x(x − x⁻¹), so (16) simplifies to  \n\n S = 1/x. □\n\nStep 4.  Numerical example a₀ = 10/3 (x = 3, q = 1/3).  \n\nP = (x − x⁻¹)/(x + 1 + x⁻¹) = (3 − 1/3)/(3 + 1 + 1/3)  \n = 8/13 ≈ 0.615 384 615.\n\nS = 1/x = 1/3 ≈ 0.333 333 333.\n\nFor Q we use the product of Step 2(b).  Retaining the factors k = 0,1,2,3 already yields 8 correct decimal places:\n\n Q ≈ (8/9)·(13/9)·(91/81)·(531440·81)/(531441·80)·(6561/6560)  \n  ≈ 1.460 708 220.\n\n(The tail after k=3 contributes less than 2·10⁻⁷.)\n\nTherefore  \n\n R = P·Q = (8/13)·Q ≈ 0.899 669 555.  \n\n(All decimals are rounded to the last shown digit.)",
      "metadata": {
        "replaced_from": "harder_variant",
        "replacement_date": "2025-07-14T01:37:45.635732",
        "was_fixed": false,
        "difficulty_analysis": "The original problem asked only for a single infinite product \\(P\\).  \nThe enhanced variant demands  \n• identification of the hidden parameter \\(x\\) for arbitrary initial data,  \n• computation of TWO additional infinite products \\(Q\\) and \\(R\\) that interact non-trivially with \\(P\\),  \n• proof of a concealed algebraic identity \\(R=Q/P\\) that links the three products, and  \n• evaluation of a companion infinite SERIES \\(S\\) together with an unexpected linear relation \\(P+S=1/x.\\)\n\nThese extra tasks require  \n– mastery of telescoping techniques in several different guises,  \n– simultaneous handling of products and series,  \n– derivation and use of non-standard recurrences (e.g. \\(a_{k+1}+1=(a_k+1)(a_k-1)\\)),  \n– asymptotic control to justify convergence and limits, and  \n– careful algebraic manipulation to show the inter-dependence of four separate infinite objects.\n\nAll of these layers go well beyond the single-product calculation in the original problem, making the enhanced variant substantially more technical and conceptually richer."
      }
    }
  },
  "checked": true,
  "problem_type": "calculation"
}