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Discrete_Math_PMI.nb
Example
An n-gon is a closed planar figure bounded by n straight lines no two of which intersect unless they are adjacent, in which case they intersect just at a vertex. Prove that the sum of the interior angles of a convex n-gon is (n-2)180 for all n 3. First the statement must be shown to be true for the base case, namely when n=3. When n=3, the n-gon is a triengle. The sum of the interior angles of a triangle can be found by drawing a triangle with a line that intersects any one vertex and is also parallel to the side opposite to that vertex. In this case, the line creates two exterior angles with respect to the triangle. Because the angle at the vertex and the two exterior angles lie along a straight line, their sum is 180. Now, if we treat the other two sides of the triangle as transversals (between the other side of the triangle and the newly drawn line parallel to it), we see that each of the other two angles of the triangle is equal to one of the exterior angles. Thus, the sum of the angles of the triangle is also 180, which is consistent with P. Next, we must make the inductive hypothesis. In this case, the hypothesis is that, for a k-gon, the sum of the interior angles of the polygon is (k-2)180. Now, we must consider the case where n=k+1. A (k+1)-gon can be formed from a k-gon by taking any one side of the k-gon and replacing it with two sides. This means, for example, that a pentagon can be formed by drawing a rectangle and then drawing a triangle with one side lying completely adjacent to one side of the rectangle. Essentially, adding this triangle takes one side of the rectangle and replaces it with two sides, making a 4-gon into a 5-gon. The sum of the interior angles is then the sum of the angles of the original rectangle plus the sum of the interior angles of the newly added triangle. Generalizing this example to the case of a (k+1)-gon can be formed from a k-gon by attaching a triangle to one of the sides in such a way that what was once just one side in the n=k case becomes two sides in the n=k+1 case. By doing so, the sum of the interior angles of the (k+1)-gon is the sum of the angles of the k-gon and a triangle, meaning that it is equal to: k 2 180 180
((k+1 2 180 Thus, the statement has been proven true for the (k+1)th case and thus by the Principle of Mathematical Induction (weak form), the sum of the interior angles of a convex n-gon is (n-2)180 for all n3.