The principle of mathematical induction is used to prove that a given
proposition (formula, equality, inequality) is true for all positive integer
numbers greater than or equal to some integer N.
Let us denote the proposition in question by P (n), where n is a positive
integer. The proof involves two steps:
Step 1: We first establish that the proposition P (n) is true for the lowest
possible value of the positive integer n.
Step 2: We assume that P (k) is true and establish that P (k+1) is also true
Problem 1:
Use mathematical induction to prove that
1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n = n (n + 1) / 2
for all positive integers n.
Solution to Problem 1:
Let the statement P (n) be
1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n = n (n + 1) / 2
STEP 1: We first show that p (1) is true.
Left Side = 1
Right Side = 1 (1 + 1) / 2 = 1
Both sides of the statement are equal hence p (1) is true.
STEP 2: We now assume that p (k) is true
1 + 2 + 3 + ... + k = k (k + 1) / 2
and show that p (k + 1) is true by adding k + 1 to both sides of the
above statement
1 + 2 + 3 + ... + k + (k + 1) = k (k + 1) / 2 + (k + 1)
= (k + 1)(k / 2 + 1)
= (k + 1)(k + 2) / 2
The last statement may be written as
1 + 2 + 3 + ... + k + (k + 1) = (k + 1)(k + 2) / 2
Which is the statement p(k + 1).
Problem 2:
Prove that
1 2 + 2 2 + 3 2 + ... + n 2 = n (n + 1) (2n + 1)/ 6
For all positive integers n.
Solution to Problem 2:
Statement P (n) is defined by
1 2 + 2 2 + 3 2 + ... + n 2 = n (n + 1) (2n + 1)/ 2
STEP 1: We first show that p (1) is true.
Left Side = 1 2 = 1
Right Side = 1 (1 + 1) (2*1 + 1)/ 6 = 1
Both sides of the statement are equal hence p (1) is true.
STEP 2: We now assume that p (k) is true
1 2 + 2 2 + 3 2 + ... + k 2 = k (k + 1) (2k + 1)/ 6
and show that p (k + 1) is true by adding (k + 1) 2 to both sides of the
above statement
1 2 + 2 2 + 3 2 + ... + k 2 + (k + 1) 2 = k (k + 1) (2k + 1)/ 6 + (k + 1) 2
Set common denominator and factor k + 1 on the right side
= (k + 1) [ k (2k + 1)+ 6 (k + 1) ] /6
Expand k (2k + 1)+ 6 (k + 1)
= (k + 1) [ 2k 2 + 7k + 6 ] /6
Now factor 2k 2 + 7k + 6.
= (k + 1) [ (k + 2) (2k + 3) ] /6
We have started from the statement P(k) and have shown that
1 2 + 2 2 + 3 2 + ... + k 2 + (k + 1) 2 = (k + 1) [ (k + 2) (2k + 3) ] /6
Which is the statement P(k + 1).
Problem 3:
Use mathematical induction to prove that
1 3 + 2 3 + 3 3 + ... + n 3 = n 2 (n + 1) 2 / 4
for all positive integers n.
Solution to Problem 3:
Statement P (n) is defined by
1 3 + 2 3 + 3 3 + ... + n 3 = n 2 (n + 1) 2 / 4
STEP 1: We first show that p (1) is true.
Left Side = 1 3 = 1
Right Side = 1 2 (1 + 1) 2 / 4 = 1
hence p (1) is true.
STEP 2: We now assume that p (k) is true
1 3 + 2 3 + 3 3 + ... + k 3 = k 2 (k + 1) 2 / 4
add (k + 1) 3 to both sides
1 3 + 2 3 + 3 3 + ... + k 3 + (k + 1) 3 = k 2 (k + 1) 2 / 4 + (k + 1) 3
factor (k + 1) 2 on the right side
= (k + 1) 2 [ k 2 / 4 + (k + 1) ]
set to common denominator and group
= (k + 1) 2 [ k 2 + 4 k + 4 ] / 4
= (k + 1) 2 [ (k + 2) 2 ] / 4
We have started from the statement P(k) and have shown that
1 3 + 2 3 + 3 3 + ... + k 3 + (k + 1) 3 = (k + 1) 2 [ (k + 2) 2 ] / 4
Which is the statement P(k + 1).
Problem 4:
Prove that for any positive integer number n , n 3 + 2 n is divisible by 3
Solution to Problem 4:
Statement P (n) is defined by
n 3 + 2 n is divisible by 3
STEP 1: We first show that p (1) is true. Let n = 1 and calculate n 3 +
2n
1 3 + 2(1) = 3
3 is divisible by 3
hence p (1) is true.
STEP 2: We now assume that p (k) is true
k 3 + 2 k is divisible by 3
is equivalent to
k 3 + 2 k = 3 M , where M is a positive integer.
We now consider the algebraic expression (k + 1) 3 + 2 (k + 1);
expand it and group like terms
(k + 1) 3 + 2 (k + 1) = k 3 + 3 k 2 + 5 k + 3
= [ k 3 + 2 k] + [3 k 2 + 3 k + 3]
= 3 M + 3 [ k2 + k + 1 ] = 3 [ M + k2 + k + 1 ]
Hence (k + 1) 3 + 2 (k + 1) is also divisible by 3 and therefore
statement P(k + 1) is true.
Problem 5:
Prove that 3 n > n 2 for n = 1, n = 2 and use the mathematical induction to
prove that 3 n > n 2 for n a positive integer greater than 2.
Solution to Problem 5:
Statement P (n) is defined by
3n > n2
STEP 1: We first show that p (1) is true. Let n = 1 and calculate
3 1 and 1 2 and compare them
31 = 3
12 = 1
3 is greater than 1 and hence p (1) is true.
Let us also show that P(2) is true.
32 = 9
22 = 4
Hence P(2) is also true.
STEP 2: We now assume that p (k) is true
3k > k2
Multiply both sides of the above inequality by 3
3 * 3k > 3 * k2
The left side is equal to 3 k + 1. For k >, 2, we can write
k 2 > 2 k and k 2 > 1
We now combine the above inequalities by adding the left hand sides
and the right hand sides of the two inequalities
2 k2 > 2 k + 1
We now add k 2 to both sides of the above inequality to obtain the
inequality
3 k2 > k2 + 2 k + 1
Factor the right side we can write
3 * k 2 > (k + 1) 2
If 3 * 3 k > 3 * k 2 and 3 * k 2 > (k + 1) 2 then
3 * 3 k > (k + 1) 2
Rewrite the left side as 3 k + 1
3 k + 1 > (k + 1) 2
Which proves tha P(k + 1) is true
Problem 6:
Prove that n ! > 2 n for n a positive integer greater than or equal to 4. (Note:
n! is n factorial and is given by 1 * 2 * ...* (n-1)*n.)
Solution to Problem 6:
Statement P (n) is defined by
n! > 2 n
STEP 1: We first show that p (4) is true. Let n = 4 and calculate 4 !
and 2 n and compare them
4! = 24
2 4 = 16
24 is greater than 16 and hence p (4) is true.
STEP 2: We now assume that p (k) is true
k! > 2 k
Multiply both sides of the above inequality by k + 1
k! (k + 1)> 2 k (k + 1)
The left side is equal to (k + 1)!. For k >, 4, we can write
k+1>2
Multiply both sides of the above inequality by 2 k to obtain
2 k (k + 1) > 2 * 2 k
The above inequality may be written
2 k (k + 1) > 2 k + 1
We have proved that (k + 1)! > 2 k (k + 1) and 2 k (k + 1) > 2 k + 1 we
can now write
(k + 1)! > 2 k + 1
We have assumed that statement P(k) is true and proved that
statment P(k+1) is also true.
Problem 7:
Use mathematical induction to prove De Moivre's theorem
[ R (cos t + i sin t) ] n = R n(cos nt + i sin nt)
for n a positive integer.
Solution to Problem 7:
STEP 1: For n = 1
[ R (cos t + i sin t) ] 1 = R 1(cos 1*t + i sin 1*t)
It can easily be seen that the two sides are equal.
STEP 2: We now assume that the theorem is true for n = k, hence
[ R (cos t + i sin t) ] k = R k(cos kt + i sin kt)
Multiply both sides of the above equation by R (cos t + i sin t)
[ R (cos t + i sin t) ] k R (cos t + i sin t) = R k(cos kt + i sin kt) R (cos t +
i sin t)
Rewrite the above as follows
[ R (cos t + i sin t) ] k + 1 = R k + 1 [ (cos kt cos t - sin kt sin t) + i (sin kt
cos t + cos kt sin t) ]
Trigonometric identities can be used to write the trigonometric
expressions (cos kt cos t - sin kt sin t) and (sin kt cos t + cos kt sin t)
as follows
(cos kt cos t - sin kt sin t) = cos(kt + t) = cos(k + 1)t
(sin kt cos t + cos kt sin t) = sin(kt + t) = sin(k + 1)t
Substitute the above into the last equation to obtain
[ R (cos t + i sin t) ] k + 1 = R k + 1 [ cos (k + 1)t + sin(k + 1)t ]
It has been established that the theorem is true for n = 1 and that if it
assumed true for n = k it is true for n = k + 1.
1. Using the principle of mathematical induction, prove that n(n + 1)(n + 5)
is a multiple of 3 for all n N.
Solution:
Let P(n): n(n + 1)(n + 5) is a multiple of 3.
For n = 1, the given expression becomes (1 2 6) = 12, which is a multiple of 3.
So, the given statement is true for n = 1, i.e. P(1) is true.
Let P(k) be true. Then,
P(k): k(k + 1)(k + 5) is a multiple of 3
K(k + 1)(k + 5) = 3m for some natural number m, ... (i)
Now, (k + 1l)(k + 2)(k + 6) = (k + 1)(k + 2)k + 6(k + 1)(k + 2)
= k(k + 1)(k + 2) + 6(k + 1)(k + 2)
= k(k + 1)(k + 5 3) + 6(k + 1)(k + 2)
= k(k + 1)(k + 5) 3k(k + 1) + 6(k + 1)(k + 2)
= k(k + 1)(k + 5) + 3(k + 1)(k +4) [on simplification]
= 3m + 3(k + 1 )(k + 4) [using (i)]
= 3[m + (k + 1)(k + 4)], which is a multiple of 3
P(k + 1): (k + 1 )(k + 2)(k + 6) is a multiple of 3
P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Thus, P(1) is true and P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction, P(n) is true for all n N.
Induction Proof
2. Using the principle of mathematical induction, prove that (n + n) is even
for all n N.
Solution:
Let P(n): (n + n) is even.
For n = 1, the given expression becomes (1 + 1) = 2, which is even.
So, the given statement is true for n = 1, i.e., P(1)is true.
Let P(k) be true. Then,
P(k): (k + k) is even
(k + k) = 2m for some natural number m. ... (i)
Now, (k + 1) + (k + 1) = k + 3k + 2
= (k + k) + 2(k + 1)
= 2m + 2(k + 1) [using (i)]
= 2[m + (k + 1)], which is clearly even.
Therefore, P(k + 1): (k + 1) + (k + 1) is even
P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Thus, P(1) is true and P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction, P(n)is true for all n N.
Induction Proof
More Examples on math Induction Proof
3. Using the principle of mathematical induction, prove that
(1 + x)n (1 + nx)for all n N,where x > - 1.
Solution:
n
Let P(n): (1 + x) ) (1 + nx).
1
For n = 1, we have LHS = (1 + x) ) = (1 + x),and
RHS = (1 + 1 x) = (1 + x).
Therefore LHS RHS is true.
Thus, P(1) is true.
Let P(k) is true. Then,
k
P(k): (1 + X) (1 + kx). .. (i)
Now,(1 + x)
k+1
= (1 + x) (1 + x)
(1 + kx)(1 + x) [using (i)]
=1 + (k + 1)x + kx
1 + (k + 1)x + x [Since kx 0]
Therefore P(k + 1): (1 + x)
k+1
1 + (k + 1)x
P(k +1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Thus, P(1) is true and P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true. Hence, by the principle of
mathematical induction, P(n) is true for all n N.
Induction Proof
4. Using the principle of mathematical induction, prove that n < 2n for all n N.
Solution:
n
Let P(n): n <2 .
1
When n = 1, LHS = 1 and RHS = 2 = 2.
Clearly, 1 < 2.
Thus, P(n) is true for n = 1, i.e., P(1) is true.
Let P(1) be true. Then,
k
P(k): k < 2 .
k
Now, k < 2 2k < 2
k+1
(k + k) < 2
k+1
(k + 1) (k + k) < 2
(k + 1) < 2
Therefore P(k + 1): (k + 1) < 2
k+1
[Since 1 k]
k+1
k+1
P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Thus, P(1) is true and P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true for all n N.
Induction Proof
5. Using the principle of mathematical induction, prove that
(1 + 2 + ... + n) > n/3 for all values of n N.
Solution:
Let P(n): (1 + 2 + .. + n) > n/3.
When = 1, LHS = 1 = 1 and RHS = 1/3 = 1/3.
Since 1 > 1/3, it follows that P(1) is true.
Let P(k) be true. Then,
P(k): (1 + 2 + .. + k) > k/3 .... (i)
Now, 1 + 2 + ..... + k + (k + 1)
= {1 + 2 + ..... + k + (k + 1)} + (k + 1)
> k/3 + (k + 1) [using (i)]
= 1/3 (k + 3 + (k + 1)) = 1/3 {k + 3k + 6k + 3}
= 1/3[k + 1 + 3k(k + 1) + (3k + 2)]
= 1/3 [(k + 1) + (3k + 2)]
> 1/3(k + 1)
P(k + 1): 1 + 2 + .... + k + (k + 1) > 1/3 (k + 1).
P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Thus P(1) is true and P(k + 1) is true whenever p(k) is true.
Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction, P(n) is true for all n N.
6. Using the principle of mathematical induction, prove that
(2n + 7) < (n + 3) for all values of n N.
Solution:
Let P(n): (2n + 7) < (n + 3)
When = 1, LHS = (2 1 + 7) = 9 and RHS = (1 + 3) = 4 = 16.
Clearly, 9 < 16.
Thus, P(n) is true for n = 1, i.e., P(1) is true.
Let P(k) be true. Then
P(k): (2k + 7) < (k + 3). ... (i)
Now, 2(k + 1) + 7 = (2k + 7) + 2
< (k + 3) + 2 = (k + 6k + 11) [using(i)]
< (k + 8k + 16) = (k + 4) = (k + 1 + 3).
P(k + 1): 2(k + 1) + 7 < (k + 1 + 3).
P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Thus, P(1) is true and P(k + 1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.
Hence, by Principle of Mathematical Induction, P(n) is true for all n N.
