# Mathematical Induction

Mathematical Induction is a method of proof typically used to establish that a given statement is true for all natural numbers. This is often the first type of proof statement seen by a high school student.

First Principle of Finite Induction
Let $S$ be a set of positive integers with the following properties:
(1) The integer 1 belongs to the set.
(2) Whenever the integer $k$ is in $S$, then the next integer $k+1$ must also be in $S$.
Then $S$ is the set of all positive integers.

This statement seems almost immediately obvious, and it can be proved by contradiction. Often, an analogy is drawn with a sequence of falling dominos; if the first domino falls, and each subsequent domino pushes it's neighbor, then all dominos in this sequence must eventually fall. For now, we will focus on how to prove statements by induction. These proofs often have a standard format that can be followed, as shown below:

Statement: Let $P_{n}$ be the proposition Induction Hypothesis, for $n$ in Domain.

Base Case: Consider Base Case.
LHS=LHS
RHS=RHS
Since LHS=RHS, thus Base Case is true.

Induction step: Assume $P_{k}$ is true for some $k$ in Domain. Consider $P_{k+1}$.
LHS $P_{k+1}$ =use Induction Hypothesis =RHS $P_{k+1}$.
Hence $P_{k}$ is true implies that $P_{k+1}$ is true.

Conclusion: By Mathematical Induction, since Base Case is true and $P_{k}$ is true implies $P_{k+1}$ is true, thus $P_{n}$ is true for all $n$ in Domain. $\square$

There are 4 main components in the proof, and you have to fill in the details of the various parts left in italics. Let us work through a specific example, to get a better sense of how this works.

## Worked Examples

### 1. Show that for all positive integers $n$,

$\sum_{i=1} ^n i^2 = \frac {n(n+1)(2n+1)} {6}.$

Solution: This is a well known statement about the sum of the first $n$ squares, and we will show this via induction.

Statement: Let $P_{n}$ be the proposition that $\sum_{i=1} ^n i^2 = \frac {n(n+1)(2n+1)} {6}$, for all positive integers.

[We have stated what the Induction Hypothesis is, and specified the domain in which the statement is true.]

Base Case: Consider $n=1$.
LHS= $\sum_{i=1} ^ 1 1^2 = 1$.
RHS= $\frac{ 1 \times (1+1) \times (2 + 1) } {6} = 1$.
Since LHS=RHS, thus the Base Case is true.

[We have identified the Base Case, and shown that it is true.]

Induction Hypothesis: Assume $P_k$ is true for some positive integer $k$. Consider $P_{k+1}$.
\begin{aligned} \mbox{LHS } P_{k+1} & = \sum_{i=1}^{k+1} i^2 \\ & = \left( \sum_{i=1}^k i^2 \right) + (k+1) ^2 \\ & = \frac{ k(k+1)(2k+1) } { 6} + (k+1) ^2 \\ & = (k+1) \left( \frac{ 2k^2 + k } { 6} + \frac{ 6 (k+1) } { 6} \right) \\ & = (k+1) \frac{ 2k^2 + 7k + 6 } { 6} \\ & = \frac { (k+1) (k+2) ( 2k + 3) }{6} \\ & = \mbox{RHS } P_{k+1} \\ \end{aligned} Hence $P_{k}$ is true implies that $P_{k+1}$ is true.

[We successfully used the induction hypothesis (in the 3rd equation) along with algebraic manipulation to show that the next statement is true.]

Conclusion: By Mathematical Induction, since $P_1$ is true and $P_{k}$ is true implies $P_{k+1}$ is true, thus $P_{n}$ is true for all positive integer $n$. $\square$

[We now sit back and drink a cup of coffee.]

### 2. Show that for all positive integers $n$, $3^{2n+1}+40n-3$ is a multiple of 64.

Solution: Statement: Let $P_n$ be the proposition that $3^{2n+1}+40n-3$ is a multiple of 64, for all positive integers $n$.

Base Case: Consider $n = 1$.
Since $3^{3} + 40 - 3 = 64$, it is a multiple of 64.
Hence, the Base case is true.

Induction Hypothesis: Assume $P_k$ is true for some positive integer $k$. Consider $P_{k+1}$.
$3^{2k+3} + 40(k+1) - 3 = 9 \times ( 3^{2k+1} + 40k - 3 ) -320k + 64$. Since $-320k+ 64 = 64 ( -5k + 1)$ is a multiple of 64, and the first term is a multiple of 64 by the Induction Hypothesis, hence the LHS is a multiple of $64$.
Hence $P_{k}$ is true implies that $P_{k+1}$ is true.

Conclusion: By Mathematical Induction, since $P(1)$ is true and $P_{k}$ is true implies $P_{k+1}$ is true, thus $P_{n}$ is true for all positive integer $n$. $\square$

Note by Calvin Lin
6 years, 4 months ago

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Nice note!BTW how to add these white boxes or blockquotes in notes?

Calvin Edit. You just add a ">" at the start. thanks

- 5 years, 4 months ago

Simply add a ">" to the start of the paragraph. I've edited your comment so you can use that as a reference. If you click on "Edit", you can see how it's done.

Staff - 5 years, 4 months ago

Thanks Sir! This is my first introduction to induction.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

For more information, check out the Induction wikis

Staff - 5 years, 4 months ago

Going through them, Sir.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

Sir, could I copy content from this Note to show the format of a proof by Induction here?

- 5 years, 4 months ago

yes i think you can as you are filling a wiki.Good luck

- 5 years, 4 months ago

Did you made a new wiki or it existed previously? If you made a new one, then i have to say there is one here which contains your topic i think.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

Didn't understand. As in the topic was there as part of the constituent wikis under Induction, but it is empty.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

So it existed previously then go ahead and complete your wiki. You can also write on Proof of mathematical induction wiki.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

You didn't study it in 11?

- 5 years, 4 months ago

I'll be going to class 11 this April.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

Oh sorry i thought you were in 11 as your age shown here is 16.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

I am 16. But I grew up in Calcutta till Class 3 and there, when one is 17, one is in Class 11. When I came to Delhi, I obviously could not skip Class 4 and directly go to Class 5.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

Haaha you will be surprised to know I skipped class 6 .I was admitted in school 1 yr later than other kids but i skipped 6 hence we were at same stage again.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

Wow!

- 5 years, 4 months ago