View Full Version : Proof by Induction
shelly89
Mar 22, 2005, 01:27 AM
I need to prove by induction that:
1/(1x3) + 1/(2x4) +... + 1/n(n+2) = n(3n+5)/4(n+1)(n+2)
Thanks
Glipto
Mar 23, 2005, 09:52 AM
1/(1x3) + 1/(2x4) +... + 1/n(n+2) = n(3n+5)/4(n+1)(n+2)
n=1) 1/(1.3) = 1/3
1.(3.1+5)/4(1+1)(1+2) = 8/24 = 1/3
n-1=> n)
1/(1x3) + 1/(2x4) +... + 1/(n-1)(n+1) = (n-1)(3n+2)/4n(n+1)
adding 1/n(n+2)
1/(1x3) + 1/(2x4) +... +1/n(n+2) = (n-1)(3n+2)/4n(n+1) + 1/n(n+2)
= ( (n-1)(3n+2)(n+2)+ 4(n+1) ) / (4n(n+1)(n+2))
= (3n^3 + 5n^2) / (4n(n+1)(n+2))
= n(3n+5)/4(n+1)(n+2)
MathMaven53
Mar 23, 2005, 09:56 AM
1/(1x3) + 1/(2x4) +... + 1/n(n+2) = n(3n+5)/4(n+1)(n+2)
True for n=1
1/(1*3) = 1(8)/[4(2)(3)]
since both sides reduce to 1/3
Assume that
1/(1x3) + 1/(2x4) +... + 1/k(k+2) = k(3k+5)/4(k+1)(k+2)
Add 1/(k+1)(k+3) to both sides
Then
1/(1x3) + 1/(2x4) +... +1/(k+1)(k+3) = k(3k+5)/4(k+1)(k+2) +1/(k+1)(k+3)
= [k(3k+5)(k+3)+4(k+2)]/[4(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)]
= [k(3k^2 +14k+15) +4k+8]/[4(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)]
= [3k^3 + 14k^2 +19k +8]/[4(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)]
= [(k+1)(3k^2+11k+8)]/[4(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)]
= (3k^2 +11k + 8)/[4(k+2)(k+3)]
= (3k+8)(k+1)/[4(k+2)(k+3)]
= [(k+1)[3(k+1) + 5]]/[4(k+1+1)(k+1+2)]
So from assuming true for n=k we showed that true for n=k+1
Since true for n=1,true for n=2,3,.
By Math Induction true for all positive integers
shelly89
Mar 23, 2005, 11:04 PM
Thanks! :D