For n≥2n \geq 2, let SnS_n denote the set of all subsets of {1,2,…,n}\{1, 2, \ldots, n\} with no two consecutive numbers. For example, {1,3,5}∈S6\{1, 3, 5\} \in S_6, but {1,2,4}∉S6\{1, 2, 4\} \notin S_6. Then n(S5)n(S_5) is equal to _____

Answer: 13

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Define the problem and notation

We are asked to find the number of such subsets for n=5n=5. Let an=n(Sn)a_n = n(S_n) be the number of such subsets for a set of size nn. We need to find a5a_5.

Step 2: Calculate initial values for ana_n

Let's start by finding the number of such subsets for small values of nn. For n=0n=0, there is one subset (the empty set). For n=1n=1, the subsets are ∅\emptyset and {1}\{1\}. For n=2n=2, the subsets are ∅\emptyset, {1}\{1\}, {2}\{2\}. Note that {1,2}\{1{,}2\} is not allowed as 1 and 2 are consecutive.

Step 3: Derive a recurrence relation

Consider a subset A∈SnA \in S_n. There are two cases: \\ Case 1: n∉An \notin A. Then AA must be a subset of {1,2,…,n−1}\{1, 2, \ldots, n-1\} with no consecutive numbers. There are an−1a_{n-1} such subsets. \\ Case 2: n∈An \in A. Then n−1∉An-1 \notin A (since nn and n−1n-1 are consecutive). So AA must be of the form A′∪{n}A' \cup \{n\}, where A′A' is a subset of {1,2,…,n−2}\{1, 2, \ldots, n-2\} with no consecutive numbers. There are an−2a_{n-2} such subsets. \\ Thus, an=an−1+an−2a_n = a_{n-1} + a_{n-2}. This is the Fibonacci sequence.

Step 4: Calculate a3,a4,a5a_3, a_4, a_5

Using the recurrence relation an=an−1+an−2a_n = a_{n-1} + a_{n-2} and the initial values a1=2a_1=2 and a2=3a_2=3, we can calculate the subsequent terms. \\ a3=a2+a1=3+2=5a_3 = a_2 + a_1 = 3 + 2 = 5. The subsets are ∅,{1},{2},{3},{1,3}\emptyset, \{1\}, \{2\}, \{3\}, \{1{,}3\}. \\ a4=a3+a2=5+3=8a_4 = a_3 + a_2 = 5 + 3 = 8. \\ a5=a4+a3=8+5=13a_5 = a_4 + a_3 = 8 + 5 = 13.

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