TITLE: Sequence and Series - If $a_n =\int^{\frac{\pi}{2}}_0 \frac{\sin^2nx}{\sin^2x}dx,$.....
QUESTION [6 upvotes]: If $\displaystyle a_n =\int^{\frac{\pi}{2}}_0 \frac{\sin^2nx}{\sin^2x}dx, $ then find the value of 
$$\begin{vmatrix}
a_1 & a_{51} & a_{101} \\ a_2 &a_{52} & a_{102}\\ a_3 & a_{53}&a_{103}\\
\end{vmatrix}.$$
My approach : 
We know that $S_{n+1}  - S_{n} = T_n$ where $S_{n+1} $ is sum of $n+1$ term and $S_n $ is sum of $n$ terms and $T_n $ is $n$th term.
Can we use this here somehow ..... as I used : 
$\displaystyle \frac{\sin^2(n+1)x}{\sin^2x}- \frac{\sin^2nx}{\sin^2x} = \frac{\sin^2(n+1)x - \sin^2{nx}}{\sin^2x}  $.... now what to do further... please suggest... thanks.

REPLY [3 votes]: HINT:
As $\displaystyle a_n =\int^{\frac\pi2}_0 \frac{\sin^2nx}{\sin^2x}dx, $ 
If $n=1, \displaystyle a_1 =\int^{\frac\pi2}_0 dx=\frac\pi2$
Else we are interested in $n>1$
$\displaystyle a_{n+1}-a_n=\int^{\frac\pi2}_0 \frac{\sin^2nx-\sin^2(n-1)x}{\sin^2x}dx$
Using $\sin^2A-\sin^2B=\sin(A-B)\sin(A+B),$
$\displaystyle a_{n+1}-a_n=\int^{\frac\pi2}_0 \frac{\sin (2n-1)x}{\sin x}dx=b_n$(say) 
$\implies b_1=\displaystyle a_2-a_1=\int^{\frac\pi2}_0 \frac{\sin x}{\sin x}dx=\frac\pi2$
Now, $\displaystyle b_n-b_{n-1}=\int^{\frac\pi2}_0 \frac{\sin (2n-1)x-\sin(2n-3)x}{\sin x}dx$
Using $\sin C-\sin D=2\sin\frac{C-D}2\cos\frac{C+D}2, \displaystyle b_n-b_{n-1}=\int^{\frac\pi2}_02\cos(2n-2)dx$
As $n\ne1,b_n-b_{n-1}=\frac{2\sin(2n-2)}{2n-2}|_0^{\frac\pi2}=0$ as $\sin m\pi=0$ for integer $m$
$\implies b_n=b_{n-1}$ 
So if $n>1, b_n=\cdots=b_1=\frac\pi2$
$\implies$ if $n>1, a_{n+1}-a_n=b_n=\frac\pi2$ and we have $a_1=\frac\pi2$
So, $a_n=??$ for $n>1$