Proof by mathematical induction

In summary, the conversation is discussing how to prove the mathematical statement (n 0) + (n 1) + (n 2) + ... + (n n) = 2^n using mathematical induction. The falling factorial notation (n n) is mentioned but it is clarified that the problem is likely referring to binomial coefficients instead. The conversation also mentions a formula for binomial coefficients and how it can be used to help prove the statement. However, it is pointed out that the statement is not true for falling factorials.
  • #1
Rainbow Cupcake
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Summary:: prove that (n 0) + (n 1) + (n 2) + ... + (n n) = 2^n is true using mathematical induction.
note that (n n) is a falling factorial

Hello! I have trouble dealing with this problem:

Mod note: Thread moved from math technical section, so is missing the homework template.
Prove that (n 0) + (n 1) + (n 2) + ... + (n n) = 2^n is true using mathematical induction.
note that (n n) is a falling factorial. I have made some progress with this problem but I got eventually got stuck.

progress:

let n=1 (please see attached photo)
96234641_560053171591634_6884766591905431552_n.jpg

Therefore it is true for n=1

Then we assume that (k 0) + (k 1) + ... + (k k) = 2^k is true. This could also be written as
(k 0) + (k 1) + ... + (k k-1) + (k k) = 2^k.

Prove that (k+1 a) = (k a-1) + (k a) (pls see attached photo for progress)
96387752_575061206470149_8286653933183565824_n.jpg


After this step, i got stuck.

Thank you!
 
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  • #2
If you are stuck trying to show that:
$$\binom{k+1}{a} = \binom{k}{a} + \binom{k}{a-1}$$
Try adding the two terms on the right-hand side and see if you can get the term on the left-hand side.
 
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  • #3
Remember the binomial formula? It says [itex]
(a+b)^{n}=a^{n}+\begin{pmatrix}
n \\
1\\
\end{pmatrix}a^{n-1}b+\begin{pmatrix}
n \\
2\\
\end{pmatrix}a^{n-2}b^{2}+...+b^{n}
[/itex]
Now put a=1 and b=1 into that formula and see what happens.
 
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  • #4
@Svein here ##\binom{n}{k}:=n(n-1)\cdots (n-(k-1))=\tfrac{n!}{(n-k)!}## is the falling factorial, the binomial formula would read (in terms of the falling factorial) ##(a+b)^n=\sum_{k=0}^n \tfrac{1}{k!}\binom{n}{k}a^{n-k}b^{k}## but this doesn't help here.

Here is a problem: @Rainbow Cupcake is using the definition of binomial coefficients ##\binom{n}{k}=\tfrac{n!}{(n-k)!k!}## in their work when it was clearly stated that ##\binom{n}{k}=\tfrac{n!}{(n-k)!}## is the falling factorial. OP clear this up: which is it ##\binom{n}{k}##, failing factorial or binomial coefficients? Then we have hope.

I did check and the thing you wanted to prove ##\binom{k+1}{a} =\binom{k}{a-1} + \binom{k}{a}## as it turns out, isn't true for falling factorials if that helps...
 
  • #5
benorin said:
@Svein here ##\binom{n}{k}:=n(n-1)\cdots (n-(k-1))=\tfrac{n!}{(n-k)!}## is the falling factorial, the binomial formula would read (in terms of the falling factorial) ##(a+b)^n=\sum_{k=0}^n \tfrac{1}{k!}\binom{n}{k}a^{n-k}b^{k}## but this doesn't help here.

Here is a problem: @Rainbow Cupcake is using the definition of binomial coefficients ##\binom{n}{k}=\tfrac{n!}{(n-k)!k!}## in their work when it was clearly stated that ##\binom{n}{k}=\tfrac{n!}{(n-k)!}## is the falling factorial. OP clear this up: which is it ##\binom{n}{k}##, failing factorial or binomial coefficients? Then we have hope.

I did check and the thing you wanted to prove ##\binom{k+1}{a} =\binom{k}{a-1} + \binom{k}{a}## as it turns out, isn't true for falling factorials if that helps...
The context shown in this problem and the notation used suggest to me that this isn't about the falling factorial, but rather, binomial coefficients.

This article on the Wolfram site - https://mathworld.wolfram.com/FallingFactorial.html - show this notation for the falling factorial: ##(x)_n##, defined as ##x(x - 1)(x - 2)\dots(x - (n - 1))##.

This will be of no help in proving that ##\binom n 0 + \binom n 1 + \binom n 2 + \dots + \binom n n = 2^n##
 
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1. What is proof by mathematical induction?

Proof by mathematical induction is a method of proving a statement or theorem for all natural numbers. It involves two steps: the base case, where the statement is proven to be true for the first natural number, and the inductive step, where it is shown that if the statement is true for one natural number, it is also true for the next natural number.

2. When is proof by mathematical induction used?

Proof by mathematical induction is typically used to prove statements or theorems that involve natural numbers, such as properties of sequences or sums. It is also commonly used to prove statements about recursive algorithms or functions.

3. How is proof by mathematical induction different from other proof methods?

Proof by mathematical induction is different from other proof methods because it relies on the principle of mathematical induction, which states that if a statement is true for the first natural number and if it is true for one natural number, it is also true for the next natural number. This allows for the proof of a statement for all natural numbers, rather than just a specific number.

4. What are the steps for a proof by mathematical induction?

The steps for a proof by mathematical induction are as follows:

  1. Prove the base case, where the statement is shown to be true for the first natural number.
  2. Assume the statement is true for one natural number (known as the inductive hypothesis).
  3. Use the inductive hypothesis to prove that the statement is also true for the next natural number (known as the inductive step).
  4. Conclude that the statement is true for all natural numbers by the principle of mathematical induction.

5. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using proof by mathematical induction?

Some common mistakes to avoid when using proof by mathematical induction include:

  • Forgetting to prove the base case or assuming it to be true without proof.
  • Using the inductive hypothesis incorrectly or assuming it to be true without justification.
  • Skipping steps in the inductive step or not showing the logical progression from one natural number to the next.
  • Assuming that the statement is true for all natural numbers without using the principle of mathematical induction.

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