2008 AMC 10B Problem 11

Attempt Problem 11 of the 2008 AMC 10B below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2008 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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11.

Suppose that (un)(u_n) is a sequence of real numbers satisfying un+2=2un+1+un,u_{n+2}=2u_{n+1}+u_n, and that u3=9u_3=9 and u6=128.u_6=128. What is u5?u_5?

4040

5353

6868

8888

104104

Answer: B
Concepts:recursionsystem of equations
Difficulty rating: 1140
Solution:

Using the recurrence, u5=2u4+u3=2u4+9u_5=2u_4+u_3=2u_4+9 and u6=2u5+u4u_6=2u_5+u_4 =2(2u4+9)+u4=2(2u_4+9)+u_4 =5u4+18.=5u_4+18.

Setting 5u4+18=1285u_4+18=128 gives u4=22,u_4=22, so u5=222+9=53.u_5=2\cdot 22+9=53.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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