# Induction proof of n^2>n+1

1. Prove that n2 > n+1 for all n≥2

2. First, (2)^2>2+1....4>3

Now for the induction step, (n+1)2 > 2n+2

Can I just show that n2+2n+1 > 2n+1+1 because 2n+1 = 2n+1 for both sides and n2>1 for all n>1

I'm pretty sure what I did is not acceptable fro this to be considered proved

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Note that the statement you want to prove is $n^2 > n+1 \text{ for } n \ge 2$. Denote it by $A_n$.

You've shown the anchor'' step - that $A_2$ is true. Remember that you need to show whenever $A_n$ is true that means $A_{n+1}$ is true. Your $A_{n+1}$ is

$$(n+1)^2 > (n+1) + 1 \text{ or } (n+1)^2 > n + 2$$

-- you do not have $2n + 2$ on the right, so your approach isn't correct from that point.

So, n2+2n+1 > n+2

Can I show that (n+1)(n+1)>(n+1)+1 by the fact that (n+1)>1, thus (n+1)2>n+2

Homework Helper
Try looking at $(n+1)^2 - (n+2)$. Expand and use your answer inequality.

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SammyS
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So, n2+2n+1 > n+2

Can I show that (n+1)(n+1)>(n+1)+1 by the fact that (n+1)>1, thus (n+1)2>n+2
What property of natural numbers allows you to make such a statement? (Of course we expect that the statement is true, because we're asked to prove it.)

Basically, you need to show that n2+2n+1 > n+2. Don't assume it's true.

The way I like to state the approach to proving the inductive step is as follows.

Assume that n2 > n+1 for n = k, for some k ≥ 2 .

From that show that n2 > n+1 when n = k+1 .

In other words:
Assuming that k2 > k+1, for some k ≥ 2

Show that it follows that (k+1)2 > k+2 .​

You apparently know that (k+1)2 = k2 + 2k + 1.

Therefore, the first step you might want to take is to add 2k + 1 to both sides of the inequality,
k2 > k+1​

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So by adding 2k+1 to both sides of the inequality, I get k2+2k+1>3k+2

Since I am assuming that n2>n+1, then isn't it proved that (k+1)2>3k+2?

I think I am sort of confused with the process of induction. Correct me if I am wrong, but the only way to prove this (with induction) is to assume that n is true and then prove that n+1 is the successor of n, regardless if n is actually true? Meaning, I am just trying to show some algebraic manipulation that demonstrates this fact?

D H
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So by adding 2k+1 to both sides of the inequality, I get k2+2k+1>3k+2

Since I am assuming that n2>n+1, then isn't it proved that (k+1)2>3k+2?
Correct.

However, that is not quite what you need for the inductive step. For that you need to show that (k+1)2>k+2 .

Hint: Use the fact that greater than is transitive.

So, 3k+2>k+2 because 3k+2-(k+2) = 2k>0 for all k>0.

Then the relation holds for (k+1)2>k+2?

D H
Staff Emeritus
For all k>0, yes, and you only needed to prove it for all k>2.

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(n+1)^2 -n =n^2 +n+2 > n+1 > 2 for n≥2 and hence, adding n to the inequality yields (n+1)^2 > n+2 and it will follow That n^2>n+1

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Ray Vickson
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1. Prove that n2 > n+1 for all n≥2

2. First, (2)^2>2+1....4>3

Now for the induction step, (n+1)2 > 2n+2

Can I just show that n2+2n+1 > 2n+1+1 because 2n+1 = 2n+1 for both sides and n2>1 for all n>1

I'm pretty sure what I did is not acceptable fro this to be considered proved

If you are allowed to not use induction there is a very easy proof that ##x^2 > x+1## for all real numbers ##x \geq 2##:
$$0 < (x-1)^2 = x^2 - 2x + 1 \Longrightarrow x^2 > 2x-1 = x+1 +(x-2) \geq x+1.$$

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D H
Staff Emeritus
(n+1)^2 -n =n^2 +n+2 > n+1 > 2 for n≥2 and hence, adding n to the inequality yields (n+1)^2 > n+2 and it will follow That n^2>n+1
There are three things wrong here:
- (n+1)^2 -n =n^2 +n+2 is incorrect.
- You stated n^2 +n+2 > n+1 > 2 for n≥2 as a fact.
- The title of the thread is "Induction proof of n^2>n+1."

If you are allowed to not use induction there is a very easy proof ...
This happens a lot with homework questions about induction. Usually the students are using induction to prove X because they were told to do "prove X using induction".

However, there are some cases where the student perceived that induction was the right tool because the problem to be solved is with regard to the integers. In mathematics, there's almost always more than one way to do it. Some students have an uncanny ability of picking the hardest approach to solving some problem.

I don't think this is such a bad problem to use induction on. Sure there are better methods perhaps, but an induction can be hammered out pretty quickly.

OP, assume that k² > k + 1 {induction hypothesis}

Now, let us look at (k+1)². We can expand this, and we have:

k² + 2k + 1

Now, can you see how we can say something about this expression, using our induction hypothesis? If k² is greater than k + 1, what is k² + 2k + 1 greater than?

ehild
Homework Helper
Prove that n2>n+1 if n≥2. It is very simple even without induction.
You can write n=2+k, k≥0.
n2-n-1=k2+4k+4-k-2-1=k2+3k+1: as k≥0, the expression is positive, ...

ehild

Last edited:
There are three things wrong here:
- (n+1)^2 -n =n^2 +n+2 is incorrect.
- You stated n^2 +n+2 > n+1 > 2 for n≥2 as a fact.
- The title of the thread is "Induction proof of n^2>n+1."

This happens a lot with homework questions about induction. Usually the students are using induction to prove X because they were told to do "prove X using induction".

However, there are some cases where the student perceived that induction was the right tool because the problem to be solved is with regard to the integers. In mathematics, there's almost always more than one way to do it. Some students have an uncanny ability of picking the hardest approach to solving some problem.

Induction is the only method to go about proving something that I have learned, other than proof by contradiction, but this is the first chapter, so I would assume that I will learn other ways along the way. The text asked to prove by induction, but I am open to other forms of proofs, since I am not doing this for school

SammyS
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Induction is the only method to go about proving something that I have learned, other than proof by contradiction, but this is the first chapter, so I would assume that I will learn other ways along the way. The text asked to prove by induction, but I am open to other forms of proofs, since I am not doing this for school
Yes, there may may be (and are in this case) simpler ways to solve this problem, but in my opinion, it is a reasonable exercise for learning the steps and logic involved in doing "proof by induction".

ehild
Homework Helper
So, 3k+2>k+2 because 3k+2-(k+2) = 2k>0 for all k>0.

Then the relation holds for (k+1)2>k+2?

The relation (k+1)2>k+2 is also true if k2>k+1.

Yes, you have proved that the relation is true for n=k+1 if it is true for n=k. You missed the first step of induction: Prove that it is true for n=2. Just plug in 2 and see.

If it is true for n=2, than it is true for n=2+1=3. If it holds for n=3, holds also for n=4 and so on, for all integers equal of greater than 2.

ehild

SammyS
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... You missed the first step of induction: Prove that it is true for n=2. Just plug in 2 and see.
...

ehild

OP did pretty much do that in the OP .

1. Prove that n2 > n+1 for all n≥2

2. First, (2)^2>2+1....4>3

Now for the induction step, (n+1)2 > 2n+2
...

But you overall summary of how induction proves this is excellent (as usual) !

ehild
Homework Helper
OP did pretty much do that in the OP .

Oh, yes, I did not notice... :shy:

ehild