No label defined (Q4355044)

For \(j=2,3,\dots\), the author calls the sequences \(\{G(j,k)\}^\infty_{k=1}\) Fibonacci \(j\)-sequences if \(G(2,k)= F_k\), the \(k\)th Fibonacci number and, for \(j>2\), \(G(j,k)= G(j-1,k)\), \(k=1,2,\dots, j\), and \(G(j,k)= G(j,k-1)+ G(j,k-2)+\cdots+ G(j,k-j)\), \(k>j\). Such sequences have been called in the past \(j\)-bonacci, \(j\)-nacci, \(j\)-generalized Fibonacci numbers, or Fibonacci numbers of order \(j\). They are a special case of a general linear recurrence relation studied by \textit{C. Levesque} [Fibonacci Q. 23, 290-293 (1985; Zbl 0574.10016)]. With each sequence \(\{G(j,k)\}^\infty_{k=1}\) there is an associated \(j\)th degree polynomial \(F_j(x)= x^j- x^{j-1}-\cdots- x-1\). The generating function of the Fibonacci \(j\)-sequences, as given by this reviewer [\textit{A. N. Philippou}, Fibonacci Q. 21, 82-87 (1983)], is \(\sum^\infty_{k=1} G(j,k)x^k= x(1- x-x^2-\cdots-x^j)^{-1}\), \(|x|<0,5\). Replacing \(x\) by \(\eta^{-1}\) and introducing the factor \(\eta-1\), the above reduces to \(\sum^\infty_{k=1} G(j,k)\eta^{-k}=(\eta- 1)\eta-1[1+ (\eta-2)\times\eta^{j-1}]\), \(|\eta|>2\). The author presently establishes a new derivation of this latter formula which reveals several number theoretic properties of \(\{G(j,k)\}^\infty_{k=1}\). Properties of the zeros of the polynomials \(F_j(x)\) are also proven by a new method. The main result of the paper is the construction of a fractal by orthogonal projection using the Fibonacci sequence. Furthermore, the author shows that a sequence of compact sets exists such that the fractal dimension, counting, and tiling features depend on the Fibonacci \(j\)-sequences. An exact expression for the fractal dimension is derived which depends on the largest real zeros of \(F_j(x)\) for every \(j\geq 2\).