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First page of A Padovan-automatic description of a nested recurrence

A Padovan-automatic description of a nested recurrence

Benoit Cloitre, Haobo Ma, Wenlin Zhang

math.NT Sep 27, 2026 · v1 math.CO
Lean formalizes the recurrence identification, six-decimal discrepancy bound, exact offset set, morphic identity, least balance constant, and an effective extrema algorithm.
We study the sequence $a(0)=0$, $a(1)=1$ and $a(n)=n-a(n-a(n-a(n-1)))$ for $n\ge 2$, listed as A076502 in the On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences. We identify $a(n)$ as a two-position shift in the greedy Padovan numeration system, with a finite-state correction. The proof constructs an addition automaton from an exact integer-carry invariant and certifies its completeness by finite-language inclusion; a synchronized automaton then verifies the nested recurrence. We establish bounded discrepancy from the line of slope $c$, where $c^3-c^2+2c-1=0$, and show that the exact set of offsets from $\lfloor cn\rfloor$ is $\{-1,0,1,2\}$. We construct an explicit 26-letter non-erasing morphic presentation of the first-difference word, prove that its least balance constant is 4, and give an effective procedure for enclosing the global discrepancy extrema to arbitrary accuracy. We formalize the recurrence identification, six-decimal discrepancy bound, exact offset set, concrete morphic identity, least balance constant, and an effective extrema algorithm in Lean. Separate exact computations refine the numerical enclosures.

The nested recurrence a(n)=n-a(n-a(n-a(n-1))) (OEIS A076502) lacked a proven closed description; an earlier conjectural offset set {0,1,2} relative to floor(cn) was incorrect.

The sequence is identified as a two-position shift in the greedy Padovan numeration system with a finite-state correction encoded by DFAOs. An addition automaton is built from an exact integer-carry invariant and certified complete by finite-language inclusion; a synchronized automaton verifies the recurrence. Bounded discrepancy is proved via a contracting quadratic form, and the difference word is given an explicit 26-letter non-erasing morphic presentation. The identification chain, discrepancy bound, offset set, morphic identity, least balance constant, and an effective extrema algorithm are formalized in Lean.

Proves a(n)=shift_2(n)+E(rep(n)), the discrepancy bound -1.049234<a(n)-cn<1.155081, the exact offset set {-1,0,1,2}, and least balance constant 4. Lean's final axiom closure uses only propext, Classical.choice, and Quot.sound.

Represented relationStates
x+y=z411
v=b(n)72
p=b(n-1), n>=179
v=b(n-b(n-1))144
Good(n)7
Selected partial DFAs used in the recurrence verification.