Solutions to Tutorial 8: Mathematical Induction

Section C : Further Self-Practice 11. Prove by mathematical induction that 1 4 + 2 7 + 3 10 + + n(3n + 1) = n(n + 1) 2 for all positive integers n. Let Pn be the proposition: [J93/I/11]

r (3r + 1) = n(n + 1)
r =1

for n Z +

LHS = (1)(3 + 1) = 4 RHS = (1)(1 + 1) 2 = 4 Since LHS = RHS, P 1 is true When n = 1,

r (3r + 1) = k (k + 1)
r =1
2

Need to prove that then

r (3r + 1) = (k + 1)(k + 2)

LHS of Pk +1 = r (3r + 1) = r (3r + 1) + (k + 1)(3k + 4)

= k (k + 1) 2 + (k + 1)(3k + 4)

= ( k + 1) ( k 2 + k + 3k + 4 ) = (k + 1)(k 2 + 4k + 4) = (k + 1)(k + 2)2 = RHS of Pk +1 Pk is true Pk +1 is true As P 1 is true and P k is true P k +1 is true , by the principle of mathematical induction, Pn is true for all n Z + . 12. A sequence of numbers u1, u2, u3, is defined by u1 = 2 and 2 u n + 1 = 3 u n + 1 for all
3 positive integral values of n. Prove by induction that un = 2 1 . 2 Let Pn be the proposition: When n = 1, 3 un = 2 1 for n Z + 2
n n

if Pk is true

LHS = u1 = 2 (given) 3 RHS = 2 1 = 2 2 Since LHS = RHS, P 1 is true

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3 Assume that Pk is true for some k Z + . i.e. uk = 2 1 . 2

3 Need to prove that then uk +1 = 2 2 LHS of Pk +1 = uk +1 1 ( 3uk + 1) 2 k 1 3 = 3 2 1 + 1 2 2 = 3 = 3 1 2 3 3 = 2 1 2 2

k +1

if Pk is true

3 = 2 1 = RHS of Pk +1 2 Pk is true Pk +1 is true As P 1 is true and P k is true P k +1 is true , by the principle of mathematical induction, Pn is true for all n Z + . n for n Z + . Hence, deduce the n +1 r =1 1 1 1 + + + sum of the first 100 terms of the series . (0.1)(0.2) (0.2)(0.3) (0.3)(0.4) [J89/I/11modified]

k +1

13. Prove by mathematical induction that

r (r + 1) =

Let Pn be the proposition: When n = 1, LHS =

r (r + 1)
r =1

n for n Z + n +1

1 1 = (1)(1 + 1) 2 1 1 RHS = = 1+1 2 Since LHS = RHS, P 1 is true

Assume that Pk is true for some k Z + .i.e. Need to prove that then

r (r + 1)
r =1

k . k +1

r (r + 1)
r =1

k +1

k +1 k+2

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LHS of Pk +1 =
k

k +1

1 r =1 r ( r + 1)

1 1 + (k + 1)(k + 2) r =1 r ( r + 1) 1 k if Pk is true = + k + 1 (k + 1)(k + 2) =

( k + 1) k 2 + 2k + 1 = = (k + 1)(k + 2) ( k + 1)(k + 2) k +1 = = RHS of Pk +1 k +2 Pk is true Pk +1 is true

As P 1 is true and P k is true P k +1 is true , by the principle of mathematical induction, Pn is true for all n Z + . 1 1 1 + + + 0.1(0.2) 0.2(0.3) 0.3(0.4)

1 1 1 + + + 1 2 2 3 3 4 10 10 10 10 10 10 1 1 1 + + + = 100 1(2) 2(3) 3(4)

Sum of first 100 terms = 100

100

2 1 100 100 = = 100 . 100 + 1 101 r =1 r ( r + 1)

14. Prove by induction that

log
r =0
n

2a r =

1 (n + 1)(n + log a 4) for n Z+ . 2

1 (n + 1)(n + log a 4) for n Z + 2 r =0 When n = 1, LHS = log a 2 + log a 2a = log a 2 + log a 2 + log a a = 1 + 2 log a 2 1 RHS = (1 + 1)(1 + log a 4) = 1 + log a 2 2 = 1 + 2 log a 2 2 n n Since LHS = RHS, P r 1 is true Using log a 2a = ( r + log a 2 ) ,
Let Pn be the proposition:

log

2a r =

r =0

r =0

Assume that Pk is true for some k Z . i.e.

prove the result using summation of series ( Refer to Tutorial 6 )

log
r =0

2a r =

1 (k + 1)(k + log a 4) 2

Need to prove that then

log
r =0

k +1

2a r =

1 ( k + 2 )( k + 1 + log a 4 ) 2

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LHS of Pk +1 =

log
r =0

k +1

2a r = log a 2a r + log a 2a k +1
r =0

1 (k + 1) ( k + log a 4 ) + log a 2 + ( k + 1) log a a if Pk is true 2 1 = ( k + 2 ) 1) ( k + log a 4 ) + log a 2 + ( k + 1) 2 1 = (k + 2) ( k + log a 4 ) ( k + log a 4 ) + 2 log a 2 + 2 ( k + 1) 2 1 = (k + 2) ( k + log a 4 ) k log a 4 + log a 4 + 2k + 2 2 1 1 = = (k + 2) ( k + 1 + log a 4 ) = RHS of Pk +1 (k + 2) ( k + log a 4 ) + (k + 2) 2 2 Pk is true Pk +1 is true =
As P 1 is true and P k is true P k +1 is true , by the principle of mathematical induction, Pn is true for all n Z + . 15. Prove by induction that, for all positive integers n, and provided x 1 , 1 xn . 1 + x + x 2 + x 3 + + x n 1 = 1 x Let Pn be the proposition: 1 + x + x 2 + x 3 + + x n 1 = When n = 1, LHS = 1 1 x =1 RHS = 1 x Since LHS = RHS, P 1 is true 1 xk 1 x 1 xn 1 x for n Z +

[N95/I/12]

Assume that Pk is true for some k Z + . i.e. 1 + x + x 2 + x3 + + x k 1 = Need to prove that then 1 + x + x 2 + x3 + + x k 1 + x k = LHS of Pk +1 = 1 + x + x 2 + x3 + + x k 1 + x k 1 x k +1 1 x

1 xk + xk if Pk is true 1 x 1 x k + x k (1 x ) 1 x k + x k x k +1 1 x k +1 = = RHS of Pk +1 = = 1 x 1 x 1 x Pk is true Pk +1 is true As P 1 is true and P k is true P k +1 is true , =

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16. A sequence of real positive numbers u1 , u2 , u3 , ... satisfies the recurrence relation

un +1 = un + 4 + 4 un + 1, n Z + and u1 = 15 .
(i) Prove by mathematical induction that un = 4 ( n + 1) 1 for all n Z + .
2

(ii) Express

1 A B , where A and B are constants to be determined. in the form + un 2n + 1 2n + 3

(iii) Hence find

u
n =1

1
n

in terms of N. Give a reason why this series is convergent and state

the sum to infinity.

4n
n =1

1
2

[2009/AJC/I/12 (modified)]

(i) Let Pn be the proposition: un = 4 ( n + 1) 1 for n Z +

When n = 1 , L.H.S. = u1 = 15 R.H.S. = 4 ( 2 ) 1 = 15

Since LHS = RHS, P 1 is true

Assume that the statement is true for some k Z + ., i.e. uk = 4 ( k + 1) 1 Need to show that then uk +1 = 4 ( k + 2 ) 1
2

L.H.S. = uk +1 = uk + 4 + 4 uk + 1 = 4 ( k + 1) 1 + 4 + 4 4 ( k + 1) 1 + 1
2 2

= 4 ( k + 1) 1 + 4 + 4 2 ( k + 1)
2
2 2 = 4 ( k + 1) + 2 ( k + 1) + 1 1 = 4 ( k + 1) + 1 1

= 4 ( k + 2) 1
2

Pk is true Pk +1 is true As P 1 is true and P k is true P k +1 is true , by the principle of mathematical induction, Pn is true for all n Z + . (ii) 1 1 1 1 = = = 2 2 un 4 ( n + 1) 1 2 ( n + 1) 1 ( 2 ( n + 1) 1) ( 2 ( n + 1) + 1) 1 1 1 = = 2 ( 2n + 1) 2 ( 2n + 3) ( 2n + 1)( 2n + 3) 1 1 A= , B = 2 2
N 1 1 1 = 2 ( 2n + 3 ) n =1 un n =1 2 ( 2n + 1)

(iii) S N =

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1 1 1 2 3 5 1 1 + 5 7 +

1 1 2N 1 2N +1 1 1 + 2N +1 2N + 3 1 1 1 1 1 = . = 6 2 ( 2 N + 3) 2 3 2N + 3

As N ,

1 0 ( 2 N + 3)
1 1 1 , therefore it is a convergent series. S = . 6 6 n =1 un
N

Hence the series S N =

(iv)

1 2 n =1 4n 1 t = 0 4(t + 1) 1 1 N 1 1 = + 3 t =1 4(t + 1) 2 1 1 1 1 = + 3 6 2(2( N 1)) + 3) 1 1 = 2 2(2 N + 1)

N 1

(replace n by t + 1)

17. The rth term of a sequence is given by ur = r (r !) , for r =1, 2, 3, (i) Write down the first five terms of the series, and hence state the values of for n =1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. (ii) (iii) Make a conjecture for a formula for

u
r =1

u
r =1

in terms of n.

Prove your answer in part (ii) by mathematical induction for n Z + .

(i) (ii)

u = ( n + 1) ! 1
r =1 r

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(iii)

Let Pn be the proposition: When n = 1, LHS =

u = ( n + 1)! 1
r =1 r

for n Z +

u
r =1

= u1 = 1

RHS = (1 + 1) ! 1 = 2! 1 = 1 Since LHS = RHS, P 1 is true Assume that Pk is true for some k Z + . i.e. Need to prove that then LHS of Pk +1 =

u = ( k + 1)! 1
r =1 r

u = ( k + 2 )! 1
r =1 r

k +1

u
r =1

k +1

= ur + uk +1
r =1

= (k + 1)! 1 + (k + 1)[(k + 1)!] = (k + 1)! [1 + (k + 1)] 1 = (k + 1)!(k + 1) 1 = (k + 2)! 1 = RHS of Pk +1

Pk is true Pk +1 is true As P 1 is true and P k is true P k +1 is true , by the principle of mathematical induction, Pn is true for all n Z + .
Section D : Challenging Questions

18. All the terms of the arithmetic progression u1,u2,u3, ..., un ,... are positive. Use mathematical

induction to prove that, for n 2, n Z + 1 1 1 1 n 1 + + + .. + = . u1u2 u2u3 u3u4 un 1un u1un Let a = 1st term of A.P. d = common difference of A.P. i.e. u n = a + (n 1)d 1 1 1 1 n 1 + + + .. + = . for n 2, n Z + u1u2 u2u3 u3u4 un 1un u1un

Let Pn be the proposition:

Observe that first term is when n = 2

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1 u1u2 2 1 1 = RHS = u1u2 u1u2 Since LHS = RHS, P 1 is true When n = 2, LHS = Assume that Pk is true for some k Z + , k 2 .i.e. Need to prove that then LHS of Pk +1 =
k

u
r =2

1 k 1 = u1uk r 1ur

u
r =2

k +1

1 k = . u1uk +1 r 1ur

1 r = 2 ur 1ur

k +1

= =

1 1 + uk uk +1 r = 2 ur 1ur if Pk is true

1 k 1 + u1uk uk uk +1 (k 1)u k +1 + u1 = u1u k u k +1 (k 1)u k +1 + u1 = u1u k u k +1 (k 1)(a + kd ) + a = u1u k u k +1 (k 1)a + (k 1)kd + a = u1uk uk +1
= = ka + (k 1)kd u1uk uk +1 u1uk uk +1

since un = a + (n 1) d

k [ a + (k 1)d ]

ku k u1u k u k +1 k = == RHS of Pk +1 u1uk +1

Pk is true Pk +1 is true As P 1 is true and P k is true P k +1 is true , by the principle of mathematical induction, Pn is true for all n Z + , n 2 .

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19. (i) Using the formula for sin ( A B ) , prove that

[2] [3]

(ii) Hence find a formula for

cos r
r =1

1 in terms of sin ( n + 1 2 ) and sin 2 .

(iii)Prove by the method of mathematical induction that for all positive integers n.

sin r =
r =1

1 cos 1 2 cos ( n + 2 )

2sin 1 2 [6] [N11/I/6]

1 1 1 1 1 (i) sin ( r + 1 2 ) sin ( r 2 ) = sin r cos 2 + cos r sin 2 [ sin r cos 2 cos r sin 2 ]

(ii)

cos r =
r =1 r =1

1 sin ( r + 1 2 ) sin ( r 2 )

= 2 cos r sin 1 2 = 1 2sin 1 2

1 1 sin ( n + 1 2 ) 1 1 + = sin sin 1 n ( ) 2 2 2sin 1 2 sin 1 2 2 1 n cos 1 cos n + ( 2 ) for n Z + 2 (iii)Let Pn be the proposition: sin r = 1 2sin 2 r =1 =

2sin 1 2

sin ( r + ) sin ( r )
r =1
1 2 1 2

When n = 1,

LHS =

sin r = sin
r =1

3 cos 1 2sin sin 1 2 cos 2 2 = = sin RHS = 2sin 1 2sin 1 2 2 Since LHS = RHS, P 1 is true

Assume that Pk is true for some k Z + . for some k Z + . 1 2sin r =1 2 1 k +1 cos 1 2 cos ( k + 1 + 2 ) i.e. Need to prove that then sin r = 2sin 1 r =1 2 i.e. assume that LHS of Pk +1 = =
=
1 2

sin r =

1 cos 1 2 cos ( k + 2 )

sin r = sin r + sin ( k + 1)

k +1

cos cos ( k + 2sin 1 2

) + sin

r =1

( k + 1)

1 1 cos 1 2 cos ( k + 2 ) + 2sin ( k + 1) sin 2

2sin 1 2 Pk is true Pk +1 is true

1 1 1 cos 1 2 cos ( k + 2 ) cos ( k + 1 + 2 ) cos ( k + 2 )

2sin 1 2
=
1 cos 1 2 cos ( k + 1 + 2 )

2sin 1 2

As P 1 is true and P k is true P k +1 is true , by the principle of mathematical induction, Pn is true for all n Z + .

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