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Mathematical Induction
Mathematical Induction
1
What is induction?
A method of proof
Three parts:
Base case(s): show it is true
for one element
Inductive hypothesis: assume
it is true for any given element
Must be clearly labeled!!!
Show that if it true for the next
highest element
2
Mathematical Induction
Description
Description Mathematical Induction applies to statements which
depend on a parameter that takes typically integer
values starting from some initial value. It can be seen
as a machine that produces a proof of a statement for
any finite value of the parameter in question.
Three
Three Steps
Steps
1 1
5
Induction example, continued
Inductive hypothesis: assume true for k
Thus, we assume that P(k) is true, or that
k
2i
i 1
1 k 2
2i
i 1
1 ( k 1) 2
6
Induction example, continued
k
Recall the inductive hypothesis: 2i 1 k 2
i 1
2i
i 1
1 ( k 1) 2
k
2(k 1) 1 2i 1 k 2 2k 1
i 1
2(k 1) 1 k 2 k 2 2k 1
k 2 2k 1 k 2 2k 1
7
What did we show
Base case: P(1)
If P(k) was true, then P(k+1) is true
i.e., P(k) → P(k+1)
9
Second induction example
Rosen, section 3.3, question 2:
Show the sum of the first n positive even
integers is n2 + n
Rephrased: n
n P( n) where P( n) 2i n n
2
i 1
10
Second induction example,
continued
Base case: Show P(1): 1
P(1) 2(i ) 12 1
i 1
2 2
11
Second induction example,
continued
k
Recall our P(k ) 2i k 2 k inductive
hypothesis: i 1
k 1
2i
i 1
( k 1) 2
k 1
k
2(k 1) 2i (k 1) 2 k 1
i 1
2(k 1) k 2 k (k 1) 2 k 1
k 2 3k 2 k 2 3k 2
12
Notes on proofs by induction
We manipulate the k+1 case to make part
of it look like the k case
We then replace that part with the other
side of the k case k
k 1 P(k ) 2i k 2 k
2i
i 1
( k 1) 2
k 1 i 1
k
2(k 1) 2i (k 1) 2 k 1
i 1
2(k 1) k 2 k (k 1) 2 k 1
k 2 3k 2 k 2 3k 2 13
Third induction example
Rosen, question 7: Show n
n(n 1)(2n 1)
i 1
i
2
Base case: n = 1 1
1(1 1)(2 1)
i 1
i
2
6
6
1
2
6
11
Inductive hypothesis: assume
k
k (k 1)(2k 1)
i 1
i
2
6
14
Third induction example
Inductive step: show k 1
(k 1)((k 1) 1)(2(k 1) 1)
i 1
i 2
6
k 1
(k 1)((k 1) 1)(2(k 1) 1)
i 1
i
2
6
k
(k 1)(k 2)(2k 3)
(k 1) i
2 2
i 1 6
k (k 1)(2k 1) (k 1)(k 2)(2k 3)
(k 1)
2
6 6
6(k 1) 2 k (k 1)(2k 1) (k 1)(k 2)(2k 3)
k
k (k 1)(2k 1)
2k 9k 13k 6 2k 9k 13k 6 i 2
3 2 3 2
i 1 6 15
Third induction again: what if your
inductive hypothesis was wrong?
Show: i 2 n(n 1)(2n 2)
n
i 1 6 1
1(1 1)(2 2)
Base case: n = 1:
i 2
i 1 6
7
1
2
6
7
1
6
But let’s continue anyway…
Inductive hypothesis: assume
k
k (k 1)(2k 2)
i 1
2
i
6 16
Third induction again: what if your
inductive hypothesis was wrong?
Inductive step: show k 1
(k 1)((k 1) 1)(2(k 1) 2)
i 1
i
2
6
k 1
(k 1)((k 1) 1)(2(k 1) 2)
i 1
i
2
6
k
( k 1)(k 2)(2k 4)
(k 1) i
2 2
i 1 6
k (k 1)(2k 2) (k 1)(k 2)(2k 4)
(k 1)
2
6 6
6(k 1) 2 k (k 1)(2k 2) (k 1)(k 2)(2k 4)
k
k (k 1)(2k 2)
2k 10k 14k 6 2k 10k 16k 8 i 2
3 2 3 2
i 1 6 17