Problem

Source: Romanian IMO Team Selection Test TST 2003, problem 1

Tags: algebra proposed, algebra



Let $(a_n)_{n\geq 1}$ be a sequence for real numbers given by $a_1=1/2$ and for each positive integer $n$ \[ a_{n+1}=\frac{a_n^2}{a_n^2-a_n+1}. \] Prove that for every positive integer $n$ we have $a_1+a_2+\cdots + a_n<1$.