# Inductive proof

1. Dec 2, 2013

### amarch

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

for reals x and y with x greater than y, prove that n*x^(n-1)(x-y)>=x^n-y^n for n>0.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

Let p(n) be that the statement is true for some n.
base case: obviously follows

inductive step: assume p(k) is true for some k.
Look at (n+1)x^(n-1+1)(a-b) = (n*x^n+x^n)(x-y)
= n*x*x^n - n*y*x^n+x*x^n-y*x^n

I'm stuck here. I know there is a way to do it using the property (x^n-y^n) = (x-y)(some polynomial), but we were specifically asked not to use that and to do it by induction.

2. Dec 2, 2013

### scurty

You need to use $x > y$ at this point. Your first and third term can be simplified. Also, in the formal proof you need to show the base case and mention $p(k+1)$. I also noticed a minor typo with the $a-b$, but I'm sure that is all it was.

Edit: You should change your $n$ variables to $k$ after introducing $p(k)$.

3. Dec 2, 2013

### amarch

Yeah I'll show the base case and such details in the formal write up, it's really this step where I am stuck.

So I simplified it to:

k*x^(k+1)-k*y*x^k+x^(k+1)-y*x^k

What am I supposed to do with x>y?

Last edited: Dec 2, 2013
4. Dec 2, 2013

### scurty

Try to do a substitution using $x > y$ so that two terms cancel out and you create an inequality. i.e. either plug in $x$ for $y$ or vice versa for one of the terms. The step after that is similar.

5. Dec 2, 2013

### amarch

can we say

k*x^(k+1)-k*y*x^k+x^(k+1)-y*x^k > k*x^(k+1)-k*y*x^k since x>y?

6. Dec 2, 2013

### scurty

Absolutely. You substituted in $y$ for one of the $x$ in the $+x^{k+1}$ term so the result is smaller than the original equation (because you were adding the term) and then they canceled. Can you do something similar for the next step?

7. Dec 2, 2013

### amarch

I don't see what to do here. If we take k*x^(k+1)-k*y*x^k and did the same thing wouldn't we just get zero?

8. Dec 2, 2013

### scurty

Depending on the substitution you do, yes, you could end up with 0. That's obviously not what you want though. The goal in this proof by induction is to end up with the inequality $\geq x^{k+1} - y^{k+1}$. What substitution can you do to make it look like that? (You aren't done just yet, almost there!)

9. Dec 2, 2013

### amarch

I suspected I should substitute y into x in the second term of kx^(k+1)-ky*x^k, but wouldn't that not work since we would be subtracting a smaller number than before?

Last edited: Dec 2, 2013
10. Dec 3, 2013

### amarch

never mind, I figured it out. thanks for all your help!