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Difference Equations
Solve fn = fn-1 + fn-2 f0 = 2, f1 = 1 Step 1: Find Roots fn = fn-1 + fn-2 fn - fn-1 - fn-2 = 0 λ2 - λ - 1 = 0 (1±√(12 - 4*1*(-1)))/(2*1) = (1±√5)/2 ⇒λ1 = (1+√5)/2, λ2 = (1-√5)/2
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Step 2: Find General Solution fn = a1λ1
n + a2 λ2 n
substitute in initial conditions and solve n = 0: f0 = 2 = a1λ1
0 + a2 λ2 0 = a1+ a2
2 - a1 = a2 n = 1: f1 = 1 = a1λ1
1 + a2 λ2 1
1 = a1λ1 + (2 - a1) λ2 1 = a1λ1 + 2 λ2 - a1λ2 1 - 2 λ2 = (λ1 - λ2) a1 a1 = (1 - 2 λ2 )/ (λ1 - λ2) a1 = 1 ⇒ a2 = 2 - 1 = 1 ⇒ fn = 1*λ1
n + 1*λ2 n = ((1+√5)/2)n + ((1-√5)/2)n