==== Recurrent Problems - Lines In The Plane ==== What is the maximum number Ln of regions defined by lines("unfolding" or "unwinding") in the plane? ===== small cases ===== L0 = 1 L1 = 2 L2 = 4 L3 = 7 ..... ===== mathematical expression ===== '''L0 = 1''', '''Ln = Ln - 1 + n, for n > 0''' ===== closed form ===== Ln = Ln - 1 + n = Ln - 2 + (n - 1) + n = Ln - 3 + (n - 2) + (n - 1) + n . . . . = L0 + 1 + 2 + ... + (n - 2) + (n - 1) + n = 1 + Sn, where Sn = 1+ 2 + 3 + ... + (n - 2) + (n - 1) + n. Sn = 1+ 2 + 3 + ... + (n - 2) + (n - 1) + n +Sn = n + (n - 1) + (n - 2) + ... + 3 + 2 + 1 ---- 2Sn = (n + 1) + (n + 1) + (n + 1) + ... + (n + 1) + (n + 1) + (n + 1) Sn = n(n + 1)/2, for n >= 0 '''Ln = n(n + 1)/2 + 1, for n >= 0'''