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C A | T h e C E N T R E fo r E D U C AT I O N i n M AT H E M AT I C S a n d CO M P U T I N G
S(2k) = 1 2 + 3 4 + 5 + . . . + (2k 1) 2k
= (1 + 3 + 5 + . . . + (2k 1)) (2 + 4 + 6 + . . . + 2k) grouping even and odd numbers
= (1 + 3 + 5 + . . . + (2k 1)) 2(1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + k) factor out a 2 from the even numbers
= (1 + 3 + 5 + . . . + (2k 1)) + (2 + 4 + 6 + . . . + 2k) (2 + 4 + 6 + . . . + 2k) 2(1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + k)
add and subtract the even numbers from 2 to 2k
= (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + . . . + (2k 1) + 2k) (2 + 4 + 6 + . . . + 2k) 2(1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + k)
= (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + . . . + (2k 1) + 2k) 2(1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + k) 2(1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + k)
= (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + . . . + (2k 1) + 2k) 4(1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + k)
Now, using the formula for the sum of the first n integers, that is
n(n + 1)
1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + (n 1) + n =
2
we have
The proof that for numbers of the form n = 2k 1, we have S(n) = S(2k 1) = k is similar.
Well leave that for you to try on your own.