Mathematical Induction problem

In summary, the conversation is about proving the equation 1^3+...+n^3=(1+...+n)^2 by mathematical induction. The attempt at a solution involves expanding the right hand side of the equation by treating 1+2+...+n as one constant. The formula for (1+2+...+k) is used to simplify the equation and ultimately, the goal is to show that (k+1)^3=(k+1)^2+2(k+1)(1+2+...+k).
  • #1
Fizex
201
0
I'm trying to solve this problem from CH2 of spivak's calculus of which I am self-studying.

Homework Statement


Prove the following by mathematical induction:
[tex]1^3+...+n^3=(1+...+n)^2[/tex]


Homework Equations


To prove by mathematical induction, you test whether P(1) is true and if P(k) is true then P(k+1) is true.


The Attempt at a Solution


[tex]1^3+...+n^3=(1+...+n)^2[/tex]
[tex]1^3+...+n^3+(n+1)^3=(1+...+n)^2+(n+1)^3[/tex]
[tex](1+...+n)^2+(n+1)^3=(1+...+n+1)^2[/tex]

From there I have no clue and I've been staring at that for 15 minutes.
 
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  • #2
Don't forget that the RHS is

[tex](1+2+...+n+(n+1))^2[/tex]

(I'm just making sure that we are on the same page here, since what you wrote can be mistaken as missing that extra n).

Now take the RHS and treat 1+2+...+n as one constant on its own, and expand.
 
  • #3
Show that it's true for n=1 (or n=2 even)
1^3=1^2, true for n=1, 1^3+2^3=9=(1+2)^2=3^2=2, so true for n=2. Suppose there is a k such that:
[tex]
1^{3}+2^{3}+\cdots +k^{3}=(1+2+\cots +k)^{2}
[/tex]
So, we write:
[tex]
(1+2+\cdots +k+(k+1))^{2}=(1+2+\cdots +k)^{2}+(k+1)^{2}+2(k+1)(1+2+\cdots +k)
[/tex]
Now you should know a formula for (1+2+...+k), the equation becomes:
[tex]
(1+2+\cdots +k+(k+1))^{2}=1^{3}+2^{3}+\cdots +k^{3}+(k+1)^{2}+2(k+1)(1+2+\cots +k)
[/tex]
So you now have to show that:
[tex]
(k+1)^{3}=(k+1)^{2}+2(k+1)(1+2+\cdots +k)
[/tex]
How would you go about doing this?
 

Related to Mathematical Induction problem

1. What is mathematical induction?

Mathematical induction is a proof technique used to prove statements for all natural numbers. It involves proving a base case and then showing that if the statement is true for a particular number, it is also true for the next number.

2. How is mathematical induction used to solve problems?

Mathematical induction is used to solve problems by breaking down a complex statement or problem into simpler cases that can be proven individually. It allows us to prove a statement for all natural numbers by only needing to prove it for a finite number of cases.

3. What is the difference between strong and weak induction?

Strong induction is a variation of mathematical induction where instead of proving that a statement is true for the next number, we prove that it is true for all numbers up to that number. Weak induction, on the other hand, only requires us to prove that a statement is true for the next number.

4. What are the key components of a mathematical induction proof?

The key components of a mathematical induction proof are the base case, the induction hypothesis, and the inductive step. The base case is the initial case that is proven to be true. The induction hypothesis assumes that the statement is true for a particular number. And the inductive step uses the induction hypothesis to prove that the statement is also true for the next number.

5. Can mathematical induction be used to prove all statements?

No, mathematical induction can only be used to prove statements that are true for all natural numbers. It cannot be used to prove statements that are only true for a finite set of numbers or for real or complex numbers.

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