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jezse
Feb3-04, 01:07 AM
I know I have to prove this using induction, but am having some problems.

show n! > n^2 for all n >= 4

what I have so far

1) n=4; 4^2=16 < 4! = 4*3*2*1=24; 16 < 24

2) show (n+1)! > (n+1)^2


something a long the lines of..

(n+1)! = (n+1)*n!
> (n+1)*n^2
.. then what, can I just say (n+1)n^2 > (n+1)^2? or am I missing a step or 2..


thanks

matt grime
Feb3-04, 07:37 AM
well, you must prove that

n^2(n+1) > (n+1)^2

for n > 4.

Thinking what happesn if we divide through by n+1, this it suffices to show n^2 > n+1

which is clearly true for n>1, check the original statement is true for n=4 and you are done.