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I want to find a formula for $a_n$, where:

$a_0 = a,$
$a_1=b,$
$a_{n+2}=6a_{n+1}-9a_n$

By looking at $a_2, a_3, a_4$... I did manage to see some formula, but I don't think this is the right way.

Instead, in an earlier question, I'm asked to find the Jordan form of

$ A=\begin{pmatrix} 6 & -9 \\ 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix}$

I found it to be

$G=\begin{pmatrix} 3 & 1 \\ 0 & 3 \end{pmatrix}$

Also, $G^n=3^{n-1}\begin{pmatrix} 3 & n \\ 0 & 3 \end{pmatrix}$

Now, I noticed that if $v=\begin{pmatrix} a_{n+1}\\ a_n \end{pmatrix}$, then $Av=\begin{pmatrix} 6a_{n+1}-9a_n\\ a_{n+1} \end{pmatrix}$ and for our sequence,

we need $Av=\begin{pmatrix} 6a_{n+1}-9a_n\\ a_{n+1} \end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix} a_{n+2}\\ a_{n+1} \end{pmatrix}$

But from here on I'm not sure how to proceed.

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    We have $A^n\begin{pmatrix} a_1\\a_0\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} a_{n+1}\\a_n\end{pmatrix}$, hence you only have to compute $A^n$. It won't be difficult since you have computed $G^n$.2011-06-23

2 Answers 2

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I don't think that there's much left to do for you. If you use the fact that $A = SGS^{-1}$, where

$S = \begin{pmatrix}3&1\\1&0\end{pmatrix}$

then you can simply calculate $A^n v = (SGS^{-1})^n v = SG^nS^{-1}v$ using the expression for $G^n$ that you obtained above and you should have your final result by reading off the entries of $A^n v$.

Regards, Jan

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    It's possible OP found the Jordan form without ever finding the matrix $S$. If so, that could be what OP was missing.2011-06-23
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What you are attempting to solve is a linear recurrence relation. Check out the book Concrete Mathematics. These are explicitly solvable.

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    Yes, but OP is trying to solve it *by a particular method*, namely, by building on the earlier problem.2011-06-23