Mathematics

Mathematics

Problem

41. Group Activity Pair up with a partner to create a sequence recursively together. Each of you picks five random digits from 1 to 9 (with repetitions, if you wish). Merge your digits to make a list of ten. Now each of you constructs a ten-digit number using exactly the numbers in your list. Let a1=a_{1}= the (positive) difference between your two numbers. Let an+1=a_{n+1}= the sum of the digits of ana_{n} for n≥1n \geq 1. This sequence converges, since it is eventually constant. What is the limit? (Remember, you can check your answer in the back of the book.)

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