Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Mathematics (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=199)
-   -   Proof by Induction (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=8477)

  • Mar 22, 2005, 01:27 AM
    shelly89
    Proof by Induction
    I need to prove by induction that:

    1/(1x3) + 1/(2x4) +... + 1/n(n+2) = n(3n+5)/4(n+1)(n+2)

    Thanks
  • Mar 23, 2005, 09:52 AM
    Glipto
    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)
  • Mar 23, 2005, 09:56 AM
    MathMaven53
    Induction Proof
    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
  • Mar 23, 2005, 11:04 PM
    shelly89
    Thanks! :D

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:24 PM.