Sylvester's Sequence - Formal Definitions

Formal Definitions

Formally, Sylvester's sequence can be defined by the formula

The product of an empty set is 1, so s0 = 2.

Alternatively, one may define the sequence by the recurrence

with s0 = 2.

It is straightforward to show by induction that this is equivalent to the other definition.

Read more about this topic:  Sylvester's Sequence

Famous quotes containing the words formal and/or definitions:

    This is no argument against teaching manners to the young. On the contrary, it is a fine old tradition that ought to be resurrected from its current mothballs and put to work...In fact, children are much more comfortable when they know the guide rules for handling the social amenities. It’s no more fun for a child to be introduced to a strange adult and have no idea what to say or do than it is for a grownup to go to a formal dinner and have no idea what fork to use.
    Leontine Young (20th century)

    What I do not like about our definitions of genius is that there is in them nothing of the day of judgment, nothing of resounding through eternity and nothing of the footsteps of the Almighty.
    —G.C. (Georg Christoph)