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Rudin–Shapiro sequence

Rudin–Shapiro sequence is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Rudin–Shapiro sequence rather than just read about it. In short: In mathematics, the Rudin–Shapiro sequence, also known as the Golay–Rudin–Shapiro sequence, is an infinite 2-automatic sequence named after Marcel Golay, Harold S. Shapiro, and Walter Rudin, who investigated its properties.

Key takeaways

  • Rudin–Shapiro sequence belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Rudin–Shapiro sequence to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Rudin–Shapiro sequence from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In mathematics, the Rudin–Shapiro sequence, also known as the Golay–Rudin–Shapiro sequence, is an infinite 2-automatic sequence named after Marcel Golay, Harold S. Shapiro, and Walter Rudin, who investigated its properties.

Definition Each term of the Rudin–Shapiro sequence is either 1 {\displaystyle 1} or − 1 {\displaystyle -1} . If the binary expansion of n {\displaystyle n} is given by

n = ∑ k ≥ 0 ϵ k ( n ) 2 k , {\displaystyle n=\sum _{k\geq 0}\epsilon _{k}(n)2^{k},}

then let

u n = ∑ k ≥ 0 ϵ k ( n ) ϵ k + 1 ( n ) . {\displaystyle u_{n}=\sum _{k\geq 0}\epsilon _{k}(n)\epsilon _{k+1}(n).}

(So u n {\displaystyle u_{n}} is the number of times the block 11 appears in the binary expansion of n {\displaystyle n} .) The Rudin–Shapiro sequence ( r n ) n ≥ 0 {\displaystyle (r_{n})_{n\geq 0}} is then defined by

r n = ( − 1 ) u n . {\displaystyle r_{n}=(-1)^{u_{n}}.}

Thus r n = 1 {\displaystyle r_{n}=1} if u n {\displaystyle u_{n}} is even and r n = − 1 {\displaystyle r_{n}=-1} if u n {\displaystyle u_{n}} is odd. The sequence u n {\displaystyle u_{n}} is known as the complete Rudin–Shapiro sequence, and starting at n = 0 {\displaystyle n=0} , its first few terms are:

0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 2, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, ... (sequence A014081 in the OEIS) and the corresponding terms r n {\displaystyle r_{n}} of the Rudin–Shapiro sequence are:

+1, +1, +1, −1, +1, +1, −1, +1, +1, +1, +1, −1, −1, −1, +1, −1, ... (sequence A020985 in the OEIS) For example, u 6 = 1 {\displaystyle u_{6}=1} and r 6 = − 1 {\displaystyle r_{6}=-1} because the binary representation of 6 is 110, which contains one occurrence of 11; whereas u 7 = 2 {\displaystyle u_{7}=2} and r 7 = 1 {\displaystyle r_{7}=1} because the binary representation of 7 is 111, which contains two (overlapping) occurrences of 11.

Historical motivation The Rudin–Shapiro sequence was introduced independently by Golay, Rudin, and Shapiro. The following is a description of Rudin's motivation. In Fourier analysis, one is often concerned with the L 2 {\displaystyle L^{2}} norm of a measurable function f : [ 0 , 2 π ) → [ 0 , 2 π ) {\displaystyle f\colon [0,2\pi )\to [0,2\pi )} . This norm is defined by

| | f | | 2 = ( 1 2 π ∫ 0 2 π | f ( t ) | 2 d t ) 1 / 2 . {\displaystyle ||f||_{2}=\left({\frac {1}{2\pi }}\int _{0}^{2\pi }|f(t)|^{2}\,\mathrm {d} t\right)^{1/2}.}

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Rudin–Shapiro sequence

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Rudin–Shapiro sequence claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Rudin–Shapiro sequence before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Rudin–Shapiro sequence ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Rudin–Shapiro sequence

In research
Rudin–Shapiro sequence appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Rudin–Shapiro sequence in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Rudin–Shapiro sequence is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Binary sequences, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Rudin–Shapiro sequence outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Rudin–Shapiro sequence in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Rudin–Shapiro sequence means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Rudin–Shapiro sequence out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rudin–Shapiro sequence in simple terms?

In mathematics, the Rudin–Shapiro sequence, also known as the Golay–Rudin–Shapiro sequence, is an infinite 2-automatic sequence named after Marcel Golay, Harold S. Shapiro, and Walter Rudin, who investigated its properties.

Why does Rudin–Shapiro sequence matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Rudin–Shapiro sequence?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Rudin–Shapiro sequence.

Tags

  • Binary sequences

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