Mathematical Induction Examples of Proof by Mathematical Induction Mistaken Proofs by Mathematical Induction Guidelines for Proofs by Mathematical Induction Climbing an Infinite Ladder Suppose we have an infinite ladder: 1. We can reach the first rung of the ladder. 2. If we can reach a particular rung of the ladder, then we can reach the next rung.
From (1), we can reach the first rung.
Then by applying (2), we can reach the second rung. Applying (2) again, the third rung. And so on. We can apply (2) any number of times to reach any particular rung, no matter how high up. This example motivates proof by mathematical induction. Principle of Mathematical Induction Principle of Mathematical Induction: To prove that P(n) is true for all positive integers n, we complete these steps: Basis Step: Show that P(1) is true. Inductive Step: Show that P(k) → P(k + 1) is true for all positive integers k. To complete the inductive step, assuming the inductive hypothesis that P(k) holds for an arbitrary integer k, show that must P(k + 1) be true.
Climbing an Infinite Ladder Example:
BASIS STEP: By (1), we can reach rung 1. INDUCTIVE STEP: Assume the inductive hypothesis that we can reach rung k. Then by (2), we can reach rung k + 1. Hence, P(k) → P(k + 1) is true for all positive integers k. We can reach every rung on the ladder. Important Points About Using Mathematical Induction Mathematical induction can be expressed as the rule of inference (P(1) ∧ ∀k (P(k) → P(k + 1))) → ∀n P(n), where the domain is the set of positive integers. In a proof by mathematical induction, we don’t assume that P(k) is true for all positive integers! We show that if we assume that P(k) is true, then P(k + 1) must also be true. Proofs by mathematical induction do not always start at the integer 1. In such a case, the basis step begins at a starting point b where b is an integer. We will see examples of this soon. Validity of Mathematical Induction
Mathematical induction is valid because of the well ordering property,
which states that every nonempty subset of the set of positive integers has a least element (see Section 5.2 and Appendix 1). Here is the proof: Suppose that P(1) holds and P(k) → P(k + 1) is true for all positive integers k. Assume there is at least one positive integer n for which P(n) is false. Then the set S of positive integers for which P(n) is false is nonempty. By the well-ordering property, S has a least element, say m. We know that m can not be 1 since P(1) holds. Since m is positive and greater than 1, m − 1 must be a positive integer. Since m − 1 < m, it is not in S, so P(m − 1) must be true. But then, since the conditional P(k) → P(k + 1) for every positive integer k holds, P(m) must also be true. This contradicts P(m) being false. Hence, P(n) must be true for every positive integer n. Remembering How Mathematical Induction Works We know that the first domino is knocked down, i.e., P(1) is true . Consider an infinite sequence of We also know that if dominoes, labeled whenever the kth domino is 1,2,3, …, where each knocked over, it knocks over domino is standing. the (k + 1)st domino, i.e, P(k) → P(k + 1) is true for all positive Let P(n) be the integers k. proposition that the nth domino is Hence, all dominos are knocked knocked over. over.
P(n) is true for all positive integers
n. Proving a Summation Formula by Mathematical Induction Note: Once we have Example: Show that: this conjecture, mathematical Solution: induction can be used to prove it correct. BASIS STEP: P(1) is true since 1(1 + 1)/2 = 1. INDUCTIVE STEP: Assume true for P(k). The inductive hypothesis is Under this assumption, Conjecturing and Proving Correct a Summation Formula Example: Conjecture and prove correct a formula for the sum of the first n positive odd integers. Then prove your conjecture.
Hence, we have shown that P(k + 1) follows from P(k). Therefore the sum of the first n positive odd integers is n2. Proving Inequalities Example: Use mathematical induction to prove that n < 2n for all positive integers n. Solution: Let P(n) be the proposition that n < 2n. BASIS STEP: P(1) is true since 1 < 21 = 2. INDUCTIVE STEP: Assume P(k) holds, i.e., k < 2k, for an arbitrary positive integer k. Must show that P(k + 1) holds. Since by the inductive hypothesis, k < 2k, it follows that: k + 1 < 2k + 1 ≤ 2k + 2k = 2 ∙ 2k = 2k+1 Therefore n < 2n holds for all positive integers n. Proving Inequalities Example: Use mathematical induction to prove that 2n < n!, for every integer n ≥ 4. Solution: Let P(n) be the proposition that 2n < n!. BASIS STEP: P(4) is true since 24 = 16 < 4! = 24. INDUCTIVE STEP: Assume P(k) holds, i.e., 2k < k! for an arbitrary integer k ≥ 4. To show that P(k + 1) holds: 2k+1 = 2∙2k < 2∙ k! (by the inductive hypothesis) < (k + 1)k! = (k + 1)! Therefore, 2n < n! holds, for every integer n ≥ 4.
Note that here the basis step is P(4), since P(0), P(1), P(2), and P(3) are all false. Proving Divisibility Results
Example: Use mathematical induction to prove that n3 − n is divisible
by 3, for every positive integer n. Solution: Let P(n) be the proposition that n3 − n is divisible by 3. BASIS STEP: P(1) is true since 13 − 1 = 0, which is divisible by 3. INDUCTIVE STEP: Assume P(k) holds, i.e., k3 − k is divisible by 3, for an arbitrary positive integer k. To show that P(k + 1) follows: (k + 1)3 − (k + 1) = (k3 + 3k2 + 3k + 1) − (k + 1) = (k3 − k) + 3(k2 + k) By the inductive hypothesis, the first term (k3 − k) is divisible by 3 and the second term is divisible by 3 since it is an integer multiplied by 3. So by part (i) of Theorem 1 in Section 4.1 , (k + 1)3 − (k + 1) is divisible by 3. Therefore, n3 − n is divisible by 3, for every integer positive integer n. An Incorrect “Proof” by Mathematical Induction Example: Let P(n) be the statement that every set of n lines in the plane, no two of which are parallel, meet in a common point. Here is a “proof” that P(n) is true for all positive integers n ≥ 2. BASIS STEP: The statement P(2) is true because any two lines in the plane that are not parallel meet in a common point. INDUCTIVE STEP: The inductive hypothesis is the statement that P(k) is true for the positive integer k ≥ 2, i.e., every set of k lines in the plane, no two of which are parallel, meet in a common point. We must show that if P(k) holds, then P(k + 1) holds, i.e., if every set of k lines in the plane, no two of which are parallel, k ≥ 2, meet in a common point, then every set of k + 1 lines in the plane, no two of which are parallel, meet in a common point.
continued → An Incorrect “Proof” by Mathematical Induction Inductive Hypothesis: Every set of k lines in the plane, where k ≥ 2, no two of which are parallel, meet in a common point.
Consider a set of k + 1 distinct lines in the plane, no two parallel. By the inductive hypothesis, the first k of these lines must meet in a common point p1. By the inductive hypothesis, the last k of these lines meet in a common point p2. If p1 and p2 are different points, all lines containing both of them must be the same line since two points determine a line. This contradicts the assumption that the lines are distinct. Hence, p1 = p2 lies on all k + 1 distinct lines, and therefore P(k + 1) holds. Assuming that k ≥2, distinct lines meet in a common point, then every k + 1 lines meet in a common point. There must be an error in this proof since the conclusion is absurd. But where is the error? Answer: P(k)→ P(k + 1) only holds for k ≥3. It is not the case that P(2) implies P(3). The first two lines must meet in a common point p1 and the second two must meet in a common point p2. They do not have to be the same point since only the second line is common to both sets of lines. Guidelines: Mathematical Induction Proofs Kenneth H. Rosen (2012) Discrete Mathematics and its Applications, 7th ed.
