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While learning about functions (mainly basic transformations, i.e. reflections, stretches, etc.), I stumbled upon this question: $$f(x)=f(x-1)+f(x+1), \\\text{what is the value of}\ f(1867)?$$ where $f(1)=1, f(2)=4, \ \text{and}\ f(3)=3$.
I solved this with Python, finding that $f(1867)=1$. However, after having spent many hours trying to solve it mathematically and research recurrence relations, I still could not do it. How would you solve it mathematically, using knowledge of only basic properties of functions? (I'm assuming that this is possible since the question is a part of a course).

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    $f(3)$ is redundant, since it can be calculated from $f(1), f(2)$. Lookup [linear homogeneous recurrences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurrence_relation#Solving_homogeneous_linear_recurrence_relations_with_constant_coefficients). – 2017-01-15
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    You can rewrite as f(x+1) = f(x) - f(x-1) or shifting, f(x) = f(x-1) - f(x-2). Now you can try out a few terms quickly: 4, 3, -1, -4, -3, 1, 4, ... It's cyclic. You should be able to take it from there. – 2017-01-15

3 Answers 3

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$$ f(x+2)+f(x)=f(x+1) $$ $$ f(x+3)+f(x+1)=f(x+2) $$ Add both the equations to get $$ f(x+3)+f(x)=0$$ for every real $x$.
You have also $f(x+6)+f(x+3)=0$ for every real $x$, and therefore $$f(x)=f(x+6)$$ for every real $x$.
Hence, the period of the function is $6$. Now, $$f(1867) = f(1866+1) = f(6\times311 + 1) = f(1) = 1$$

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Replace $x+1$ with $y\space$ i.e. replacing $x$ with $y-1$ $$f(y-1)=f(y-2)+f(y)$$ $$\implies f(y) = f(y-1)-f(y-2)$$ You can compute all elements easily now.

Then we can see a pattern

$$1,\space4,\space3,\space-1,\space-4,\space-3,\space 1,\space4,\space3,\space-1,\space-4,\space-3$$

with a period of $6$. You can do the last step yourself.

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    To add, once you compute the first six or so terms you can see a pattern emerge. – 2017-01-15
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    Ya you are right – 2017-01-15
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Note that $$f(x)=f(x-1)+f(x+1)$$ $$f(x-1)=f(x)+f(x-2)$$ Adding these two, we get $$f(x+1)=-f(x-2) \implies \boxed{f(x)=-f(x-3)}$$

Iterate this to get $$f(x)=-f(x-3)=f(x-6)= \ldots = (-1)^k f(x-3k)$$ $$\implies \boxed{f(x)=(-1)^k f(x-3k)}$$

Now, $1867=3 \times 622 + 1$. So, we have $$f(1867)=(-1)^{622} f(1867-3\times 622)=f(1)=1$$

Hope this helps you.

Addendum: In general, we can conclude that $$f(3k+1)=(-1)^{3k+1} f(1)=(-1)^k$$ $$f(3k+2)=(-1)^{3k+2} f(2)=(-1)^{k}4$$ $$f(3k+3)=(-1)^{3k+3} f(3)=(-1)^{k+1}3$$