MathLabs

Problem 2

Prove that every positive integer can be written as a finite sum of distinct integral powers of the golden mean ϕ=1+52\phi=\frac{1+\sqrt5}{2}. Here an integral power is ϕi\phi^i with ii an integer, not necessarily positive.
Step 1 of 5: Record the golden-mean identity
ϕ2=ϕ+1\phi^2=\phi+1
Detailed analysis

The defining quadratic for ϕ\phi gives ϕ2=ϕ+1\phi^2=\phi+1. This identity lets us replace two adjacent 1-coefficients at exponents i+1i+1 and ii by one coefficient at exponent i+2i+2.