1970 AMC 12 Problem 16

Attempt Problem 16 of the 1970 AMC 12 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 1970 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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16.

If F(n)F(n) is a function such that F(1)=F(2)=F(3)=1,F(1)=F(2)=F(3)=1, and such that F(n+1)=F(n)F(n−1)+1F(n−2) F(n+1)=\frac{F(n)F(n-1)+1}{F(n-2)} for n≥3,n\ge3, then F(6)F(6) is equal to:
22
33
77
1111
2626
Answer: C
Concepts:recursionfunctionsubstitution
Small hint:
Compute the terms one at a time beginning with F(4)F(4)
Big hint:
Use the recurrence successively for n=3,4,5n=3,4,5
Solution:
Applying the recurrence successively, F(4)=1⋅1+11=2,F(5)=2⋅1+11=3, \begin{aligned} F(4)&=\frac{1\cdot1+1}{1}=2,\\ F(5)&=\frac{2\cdot1+1}{1}=3, \end{aligned} and F(6)=3⋅2+11=7. F(6)=\frac{3\cdot2+1}{1}=7.
Therefore, the correct answer is C.
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