INDEX
Numbers and Sets
Complex Numbers
Exponentiation
Algebraic Transformations
Algebraic Equations and Inequalities
Functions
Basic Formulas
Graphics of Basic Functions
Discrete Algebra
Ship 2

Binomial Theorem

Sigma-Notations

Arithmetic Progressions

Geometric Progressions

Binomial Theorem

Pascal's Triangle

Evaluation of Sums of the Form
1k + 2k + ... + nk

1 + 2 + ... + n

1² + 2² + ... + n²

1³ + 2³ + ... + n³

Mathematical Induction Principle

Basic Conceptions

Constituents of the Induction Principle

Model Examples
  Example 1
  Example 2
  Example 3
  Example 4
  Example 5
  Example 6


Basic Conceptions of the Mathematical Induction Principle
Key Topics Remaining:   Constituents of the Induction Principle » Model Examples

The induction principle is a mathematical form of reasoning in which an infinite sequence of propositions follows from a few premises.
Usually, the statements are expressed in form of equalities or inequalities involving Discrete variable  n.

The induction principle is based on a quite clear self-intuitive idea.

Let  Pn  be a sequence of propositions for  n = 0, 1, 2, ….
Assume that the validity of  Pn  implies the validity of  Pn+1. Then it is necessary only to make sure of the truth of  Pn  for any value of  n = k  that results in the truth of  Pn  for any integer  n  ≥  k.

Click here to see detailed reasonings.

The mathematical induction principle includes the following three constituents:

  •    the induction basis;
  •    the induction hypothesis;
  •    the induction step.
  • The induction basis is a true proposition being a starting point for the induction.
    In order to form the induction basis it is necessary to find an integer n = k such that the statement  Pk  should be true, that is, we have to make sure of the validity of the proposition in a particular case.
    Usually, testing of hypothesis begins with  n = 0  or  n = 1.

    The induction hypothesis is an assumption that proposition  Pn  is also true for some integer  n > k.
    At this stage of the induction one proves nothing. We only propose a hypothesis, expecting to extend the validity of observations of part of a class of facts over the whole class.

    The induction step is the main component of the induction.
    Now it is necessary to prove that proposition  Pn+1  follows from proposition  Pn  for  nk. That is, we proceed from verifications and assumptions to a direct proving of the statement.


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