C) Let xn+1 = 1 + 1/xn with x1 = 1. Show that (x2n ) is decreasing and (x2n−1 ) is increasing.

Then, show that they both converge, and find the the limit.
Claim: 0 < x2(n+1) < x2n < 2 and 0 < x2n−1 < x2(n+1)−1 < 2 ∀n ∈ N, thus (x2n ) and (x2n−1 ) are
bounded and (x2n−1 ) is increasing and (x2n ) is decreasing. By the Monotone Sequence Theorem,
(x2n ) and (x(2n−1) ) converge.
Proof. (By the Principle of Mathematical Induction.)
Base Case: 0 < x4 < x2 < 2 and 0 < x1 < x3 < 2 iff 0 < 53 < 2 ≤ 2 and 0 < 1 < 32 < 2. Thus the
base case is true.
Inductive Hypothesis: Assume 0 < x2(k+1) < x2k ≤ 2 and 0 < x2k+1 < x2(k+1)+1 < 2 ∀k ∈ N.
Inductive Step: Using the information from the Inductive Hypothesis and the definition of the
sequence:

x2k+1 < x2k+3 ⇐⇒

1 1
< ⇐⇒
2k + 3 2k + 1
1 1
1+ < 1+ ⇐⇒
2k + 3 2k + 1
x2(k+2) < x2(k+1) ⇐⇒
0 < x2(k+2) < x2(k+1) < 2.

Since we showed that (x2n ) is decreasing, we can use this fact to show that (x2n−1 ) is increasing.
Using this fact and the assumptions from the Inductive Hypothesis:

x2k+4 < x2k+2 ⇐⇒

1 1
< ⇐⇒
x2k+2 x2k+4
1 1
1+ < 1+ ⇐⇒
x2k+2 x2k+4
x2k+3 < x2k+5 ⇐⇒
0 < x2k+3 < x2k+5 < 2.

Having proven that both (x2n ) and (x2n−1 ) converge, we can use the AWESOME TRICK! So,
we have that lim(xn ) = L and xn+1 = 1 + x1n . So:
 
1
lim(xn+1 ) = lim 1 +
xn
1
L = 1+
lim (xn )
1
L = 1+
L
√ √ √
1− 5 1+ 5 1+ 5
So either L = 2 or L = 2 . Thus L = 2 because no terms are less than 0.