Problem

Source: Kazakhstan MO 2018 final round.Grade 11;Problem 2

Tags: Sequence, number theory, algebra, Kazakhstan



The natural number $m\geq 2$ is given.Sequence of natural numbers $(b_0,b_1,\ldots,b_m)$ is called concave if $b_k+b_{k-2}\le2b_{k-1}$ for all $2\le k\le m.$ Prove that there exist not greater than $2^m$ concave sequences starting with $b_0 =1$ or $b_0 =2$