A pattern in determinants of fibonacci numbers?
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Let $F_n$ denote the $n$th Fibonacci number, adopting the convention $F_1=1$, $F_2=1$ and so on. Consider the $ntimes n$ matrix defined by
$$mathbf M_n:=begin{bmatrix}F_1&F_2&dots&F_n\F_{n+1}&F_{n+2}&dots&F_{2n}\vdots&vdots&ddots&vdots\F_{n^2-n+1}&F_{n^2-n+2}&dots&F_{n^2}end{bmatrix}.$$
I have the following conjecture:
Conjecture. For all integers $ngeq3$, $detmathbf M_n=0$.
I have used some Python code to test this conjecture for $n$ up to $9$, but I cannot go further. Note that $detmathbf M_1=detmathbf M_2=1$. Due to the elementary nature of this problem I have to assume that it has been discussed before, perhaps even on this site. But I couldn't find any reference on it, by Googling or searching here. Can someone shed light onto whether the conjecture is true, and a proof of it if so?
linear-algebra determinant fibonacci-numbers
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up vote
1
down vote
favorite
Let $F_n$ denote the $n$th Fibonacci number, adopting the convention $F_1=1$, $F_2=1$ and so on. Consider the $ntimes n$ matrix defined by
$$mathbf M_n:=begin{bmatrix}F_1&F_2&dots&F_n\F_{n+1}&F_{n+2}&dots&F_{2n}\vdots&vdots&ddots&vdots\F_{n^2-n+1}&F_{n^2-n+2}&dots&F_{n^2}end{bmatrix}.$$
I have the following conjecture:
Conjecture. For all integers $ngeq3$, $detmathbf M_n=0$.
I have used some Python code to test this conjecture for $n$ up to $9$, but I cannot go further. Note that $detmathbf M_1=detmathbf M_2=1$. Due to the elementary nature of this problem I have to assume that it has been discussed before, perhaps even on this site. But I couldn't find any reference on it, by Googling or searching here. Can someone shed light onto whether the conjecture is true, and a proof of it if so?
linear-algebra determinant fibonacci-numbers
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
Let $F_n$ denote the $n$th Fibonacci number, adopting the convention $F_1=1$, $F_2=1$ and so on. Consider the $ntimes n$ matrix defined by
$$mathbf M_n:=begin{bmatrix}F_1&F_2&dots&F_n\F_{n+1}&F_{n+2}&dots&F_{2n}\vdots&vdots&ddots&vdots\F_{n^2-n+1}&F_{n^2-n+2}&dots&F_{n^2}end{bmatrix}.$$
I have the following conjecture:
Conjecture. For all integers $ngeq3$, $detmathbf M_n=0$.
I have used some Python code to test this conjecture for $n$ up to $9$, but I cannot go further. Note that $detmathbf M_1=detmathbf M_2=1$. Due to the elementary nature of this problem I have to assume that it has been discussed before, perhaps even on this site. But I couldn't find any reference on it, by Googling or searching here. Can someone shed light onto whether the conjecture is true, and a proof of it if so?
linear-algebra determinant fibonacci-numbers
Let $F_n$ denote the $n$th Fibonacci number, adopting the convention $F_1=1$, $F_2=1$ and so on. Consider the $ntimes n$ matrix defined by
$$mathbf M_n:=begin{bmatrix}F_1&F_2&dots&F_n\F_{n+1}&F_{n+2}&dots&F_{2n}\vdots&vdots&ddots&vdots\F_{n^2-n+1}&F_{n^2-n+2}&dots&F_{n^2}end{bmatrix}.$$
I have the following conjecture:
Conjecture. For all integers $ngeq3$, $detmathbf M_n=0$.
I have used some Python code to test this conjecture for $n$ up to $9$, but I cannot go further. Note that $detmathbf M_1=detmathbf M_2=1$. Due to the elementary nature of this problem I have to assume that it has been discussed before, perhaps even on this site. But I couldn't find any reference on it, by Googling or searching here. Can someone shed light onto whether the conjecture is true, and a proof of it if so?
linear-algebra determinant fibonacci-numbers
linear-algebra determinant fibonacci-numbers
asked 2 hours ago
YiFan
1,6791314
1,6791314
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2 Answers
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4
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Here's a hint: what's the relationship between $F_{k+1}+F_{k+2}$ and $F_{k+3}$? What does that say about the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd columns of this matrix?
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The resolution is remarkably simple (many thanks to obscurans' answer for the hint!) By the definition of the Fibonacci numbers, $F_k+F_{k+1}=F_{k+2}$ for all $k$. If $ngeq3$ then these numbers are going to be in the first three columns of every row. Hence the first three rows are linearly dependent, so the determinant is $0$. It follows from this that any such sequence following a linear recurrence (of the form $F_{n}=aF_{n-1}+bF_{n-2}$, $a,b$ are constant), with possibly different starting terms, also satisfies the stated conjecture. In fact, this shows that all such matrices have rank $2$, with the only two linearly independent columns being the first two. If the linear recurrence is of higher order, say $m$, then the determinant is $0$ when $n>m$, and the rank of the matrix will be $m$.
1
One note: the matrix will have rank $leq$ the order of the linear recurrence, which is not necessarily 2.
– obscurans
1 hour ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
Here's a hint: what's the relationship between $F_{k+1}+F_{k+2}$ and $F_{k+3}$? What does that say about the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd columns of this matrix?
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
Here's a hint: what's the relationship between $F_{k+1}+F_{k+2}$ and $F_{k+3}$? What does that say about the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd columns of this matrix?
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
Here's a hint: what's the relationship between $F_{k+1}+F_{k+2}$ and $F_{k+3}$? What does that say about the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd columns of this matrix?
Here's a hint: what's the relationship between $F_{k+1}+F_{k+2}$ and $F_{k+3}$? What does that say about the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd columns of this matrix?
answered 2 hours ago
obscurans
3805
3805
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
The resolution is remarkably simple (many thanks to obscurans' answer for the hint!) By the definition of the Fibonacci numbers, $F_k+F_{k+1}=F_{k+2}$ for all $k$. If $ngeq3$ then these numbers are going to be in the first three columns of every row. Hence the first three rows are linearly dependent, so the determinant is $0$. It follows from this that any such sequence following a linear recurrence (of the form $F_{n}=aF_{n-1}+bF_{n-2}$, $a,b$ are constant), with possibly different starting terms, also satisfies the stated conjecture. In fact, this shows that all such matrices have rank $2$, with the only two linearly independent columns being the first two. If the linear recurrence is of higher order, say $m$, then the determinant is $0$ when $n>m$, and the rank of the matrix will be $m$.
1
One note: the matrix will have rank $leq$ the order of the linear recurrence, which is not necessarily 2.
– obscurans
1 hour ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
The resolution is remarkably simple (many thanks to obscurans' answer for the hint!) By the definition of the Fibonacci numbers, $F_k+F_{k+1}=F_{k+2}$ for all $k$. If $ngeq3$ then these numbers are going to be in the first three columns of every row. Hence the first three rows are linearly dependent, so the determinant is $0$. It follows from this that any such sequence following a linear recurrence (of the form $F_{n}=aF_{n-1}+bF_{n-2}$, $a,b$ are constant), with possibly different starting terms, also satisfies the stated conjecture. In fact, this shows that all such matrices have rank $2$, with the only two linearly independent columns being the first two. If the linear recurrence is of higher order, say $m$, then the determinant is $0$ when $n>m$, and the rank of the matrix will be $m$.
1
One note: the matrix will have rank $leq$ the order of the linear recurrence, which is not necessarily 2.
– obscurans
1 hour ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
The resolution is remarkably simple (many thanks to obscurans' answer for the hint!) By the definition of the Fibonacci numbers, $F_k+F_{k+1}=F_{k+2}$ for all $k$. If $ngeq3$ then these numbers are going to be in the first three columns of every row. Hence the first three rows are linearly dependent, so the determinant is $0$. It follows from this that any such sequence following a linear recurrence (of the form $F_{n}=aF_{n-1}+bF_{n-2}$, $a,b$ are constant), with possibly different starting terms, also satisfies the stated conjecture. In fact, this shows that all such matrices have rank $2$, with the only two linearly independent columns being the first two. If the linear recurrence is of higher order, say $m$, then the determinant is $0$ when $n>m$, and the rank of the matrix will be $m$.
The resolution is remarkably simple (many thanks to obscurans' answer for the hint!) By the definition of the Fibonacci numbers, $F_k+F_{k+1}=F_{k+2}$ for all $k$. If $ngeq3$ then these numbers are going to be in the first three columns of every row. Hence the first three rows are linearly dependent, so the determinant is $0$. It follows from this that any such sequence following a linear recurrence (of the form $F_{n}=aF_{n-1}+bF_{n-2}$, $a,b$ are constant), with possibly different starting terms, also satisfies the stated conjecture. In fact, this shows that all such matrices have rank $2$, with the only two linearly independent columns being the first two. If the linear recurrence is of higher order, say $m$, then the determinant is $0$ when $n>m$, and the rank of the matrix will be $m$.
edited 1 hour ago
answered 2 hours ago
YiFan
1,6791314
1,6791314
1
One note: the matrix will have rank $leq$ the order of the linear recurrence, which is not necessarily 2.
– obscurans
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
One note: the matrix will have rank $leq$ the order of the linear recurrence, which is not necessarily 2.
– obscurans
1 hour ago
1
1
One note: the matrix will have rank $leq$ the order of the linear recurrence, which is not necessarily 2.
– obscurans
1 hour ago
One note: the matrix will have rank $leq$ the order of the linear recurrence, which is not necessarily 2.
– obscurans
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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