Question:medium

For a $2 \times 2$ matrix $A$, whose elements are real numbers, denote by $A^m$ the product $AA\dots A$ ($m$ times), where $m$ is a positive integer. Define $x_0 = 0$, $x_1 = 1$, $x_n = x_{n-1} + x_{n-2}$, for all $n \ge 2$ and \[ A_n = \begin{bmatrix} x_{n+1} & x_n\\ x_n & x_{n-1} \end{bmatrix}, \text{ for all } n \ge 1. \] Which of the following statements is TRUE for all $m \ge 3$?

Show Hint

The matrix $A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1
1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$ is the famous Fibonacci generator matrix.
Its powers generate successive Fibonacci numbers according to $A^n = \begin{bmatrix} F_{n+1} & F_n
F_n & F_{n-1} \end{bmatrix}$.
Using the Cayley-Hamilton theorem on this matrix immediately yields the recurrence relation in matrix form.
Updated On: Jun 11, 2026
  • $A_1^m = A_1^{m-1} + A_1^{m-2}$
  • $\det(A_m) = -1$
  • $A_1^m - A_1^{m-1} + \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$
  • $A_m - A_{m-1} - \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation


Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The sequence \( x_{n} \) is the standard Fibonacci sequence starting with \( x_{0} = 0 \) and \( x_{1} = 1 \).
The matrix \( A_{1} \) is defined as \( \begin{bmatrix} x_{2} & x_{1} x_{1} & x_{0} \end{bmatrix} \).
Key Formula or Approach:
We use the Cayley-Hamilton Theorem, which states that every square matrix satisfies its own characteristic equation.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

1. Determine \( A_{1} \):
Given \( x_{0} = 0, x_{1} = 1 \), then \( x_{2} = x_{1} + x_{0} = 1 \).
\[ A_{1} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix} \]
2. Find Characteristic Equation:
The characteristic equation is \( \det(A_{1} - \lambda I) = 0 \):
\[ \det \begin{bmatrix} 1-\lambda & 1 1 & -\lambda \end{bmatrix} = (1-\lambda)(-\lambda) - 1 = 0 \implies \lambda^{2} - \lambda - 1 = 0 \]
3. Apply Cayley-Hamilton Theorem:
Substituting \( A_{1} \) for \( \lambda \):
\[ A_{1}^{2} - A_{1} - I = 0 \implies A_{1}^{2} = A_{1} + I \]
4. Generalize for power \( m \):
Multiply both sides of the identity by \( A_{1}^{m-2} \) (valid for \( m \ge 2 \)):
\[ A_{1}^{2} \cdot A_{1}^{m-2} = (A_{1} + I) \cdot A_{1}^{m-2} \implies A_{1}^{m} = A_{1}^{m-1} + A_{1}^{m-2} \]

Step 3: Final Answer:

The recurrence relation \( A_{1}^{m} = A_{1}^{m-1} + A_{1}^{m-2} \) holds true for all \( m \ge 3 \).
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