Prove by induction or otherwise, that ##\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1)=n^3+n^2##

  • Thread starter Thread starter chwala
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Induction
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on proving the equation ##\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1) = n^3 + n^2## using mathematical induction. The proof begins with establishing the base case for ##n=1##, confirming that both sides equal 2. The inductive step assumes the equation holds for some integer ##m##, and demonstrates that it also holds for ##m+1##. The discussion emphasizes clarity in notation and the importance of stating the induction hypothesis explicitly.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mathematical induction
  • Familiarity with summation notation
  • Knowledge of polynomial expressions
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of mathematical induction in detail
  • Learn about closed-form expressions for summations
  • Explore polynomial identities and their proofs
  • Practice proving other summation formulas using induction
USEFUL FOR

Students studying mathematics, particularly those focusing on algebra and proof techniques, as well as educators looking for examples of induction proofs.

chwala
Gold Member
Messages
2,828
Reaction score
420
Homework Statement
Prove by induction or otherwise, that ##\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1)=n^3+n^2##
Relevant Equations
understanding of induction
My take;

##\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1)=n^3+n^2##

Let ##S_n=\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1)## and ##f(n)=n^3+n^2##

then, ##S_1 = 2## and ##f(1)=2##

hence the result is true when ##n=1##

Assume that ## S_m = f(m)## for some integer ##m## then,

## S_{m+1}= (m+1)(3(m+1)-1) +S_m ##

## S_{m+1}= (m+1)(3(m+1)-1) +m^3+m^2 ##

## S_{m+1}=m^3+m^2 +(m+1)(3m+2)##

## S_{m+1}= m^3+m^2+3m^2+5m+2 ##

## S_{m+1}=m^3+3m^2+3m+1+(m^2+2m+1)##

## S_{m+1}=(m+1)^3+(m+1)^2##

## S_{m+1}=f(m+1)##

##S_1=f(1)## , ##S_2=f(2)##

implying that, ##S_3=f(3)## for any integer ##n## thus, the result is true for all ##n##.

Your insight or any other approach welcome! Cheers!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: hutchphd and nuuskur
Physics news on Phys.org
Consider that it might be redundant to clutter your proof with unnecessary symbols. You write the quantities in different styles: ##S_n## and ##f(n)##. Why not ##f_n##? The induction is conducted over ##\mathbb N##, not the integers. Otherwise, the proof is correct.

Easier to follow: the claim is true for ##n=1##. Assume ##\sum _{k=1}^n k(3k-1) = n^3+n^2## for some ##n##. Then
<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \sum _{k=1}^{n+1} k(3k-1) = (n+1)(3n+2) + \sum _{k=1}^n k(3k-1) &amp;= (n+1)(3n+2) + n^3+n^2<br /> \\&amp;= (n+1)(3n+2) + n^2(n+1) \\<br /> &amp;=(n^3+3n^2+3n+1) + (n^2+2n+1) \\<br /> &amp;=(n+1)^3 + (n+1)^2.<br /> \end{align*}<br />
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Likes   Reactions: Mark44, chwala and Orodruin
nuuskur said:
Consider that it might be redundant to clutter your proof with unnecessary symbols.
Not to mention that each line except the last is an equation that starts with ##S_{m+1}##. It's perfectly valid to have one single equation with multiple equal expressions that are chained.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala
chwala said:
My take;
##\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1)=n^3+n^2##

Let ##S_n=\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1)## and ##f(n)=n^3+n^2##
The first equation above is what you are to prove. You should explicitly say that.

After you have showed that the proposition is true for the base case -- n = 1 or n = 2, then you should state the induction hypothesis:
Assume that the proposition is true for n = k. I.e.,
##\sum_{r=1}^k r(3r-1)=k^3+k^2##

Now show that the proposition is true for n = k + 1, using the induction hypothesis. I.e., that
##\sum_{r=1}^{k + 1} r(3r-1) = (k+1)^3 + (k+1)^2##.

You can do this like so:
##\sum_{r=1}^{k + 1} r(3r-1) = \dots \text{<intermediate expressions omitted>} = (k+1)^3 + (k+1)^2##
 
chwala said:
Homework Statement:: Prove by induction or otherwise, that ##\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1)=n^3+n^2##
Relevant Equations:: understanding of induction

My take;

##\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1)=n^3+n^2##

Let ##S_n=\sum_{r=1}^n r(3r-1)## and ##f(n)=n^3+n^2##

then, ##S_1 = 2## and ##f(1)=2##

hence the result is true when ##n=1##

Assume that ## S_m = f(m)## for some integer ##m## then,

## S_{m+1}= (m+1)(3(m+1)-1) +S_m ##

## S_{m+1}= (m+1)(3(m+1)-1) +m^3+m^2 ##

## S_{m+1}=m^3+m^2 +(m+1)(3m+2)##

## S_{m+1}= m^3+m^2+3m^2+5m+2 ##

## S_{m+1}=m^3+3m^2+3m+1+(m^2+2m+1)##

## S_{m+1}=(m+1)^3+(m+1)^2##

## S_{m+1}=f(m+1)##

##S_1=f(1)## , ##S_2=f(2)##

implying that, ##S_3=f(3)## for any integer ##n## thus, the result is true for all ##n##.

Your insight or any other approach welcome! Cheers!
I rather like your approach.

As you stated, showing that ##S_1=f(1)## confirmed that the result was true for ##n=1##. (The base step)

You then assumed that ##S_m=f(m)##. In this step you are assuming that the result is true for ##n=m## (which should have specified that ##m## was a positive integer, or some equivalent statement). From this assumption, you then showed that ##S_{m+1}=f(m+1)## which shows that the result is true for ##n=m+1##. (This is known as the inductive step.)
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala
Since you asked for insights:
##\Sigma r(3r-1) = \Sigma (3r^2 -r) = \Sigma 3r^2 -\Sigma r =3 \Sigma r^2 -\Sigma r ##

Both of which have know closed formulars:
## \frac {[3n(n+1)(2n+1)]} {6} ## and ##\frac {[n(n+1)}{2} ## respectfully

We can then factor an ## n(n+1)/2 ## , to get:

## \frac { [3n(n+1)]} {2} [\frac {(2n+1)} {3} -1]] =[ \frac {3n(n+1)}{2} \frac{(2(n-1)}{3}]=n^3 -n^2 ##
 
Last edited:
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: chwala
WWGD said:
##\Sigma r(3r-1) = \Sigma (3r^2 -r) = \Sigma 3r^2 -\Sigma r =3 \Sigma r^2 -\Sigma r ##

Both of which have know closed formulars:
## \frac {[3n(n+1)(2n+1)]} {6} ## and ##\frac {[n(n+1)}{2} ## respectfully
Respectfully, that last word should be respectively... (Not to mention formulas/formulae.) :oldbiggrin:

In any case, the problem statement indicated that it should be done using induction.
 
Last edited:
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: chwala
Mark44 said:
In any case, the problem statement indicated that it should be done using induction.

Respectfully, the problem statement said "by induction or otherwise".

I do love inductive proofs however.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala
Mark44 said:
Respectfully, that last word should be respectively... (Not to mention formulas/formulae.)

In any case, the problem statement indicated that it should be done using induction.
"Prove by induction or otherwise"
For all intensive purpoises, irregardless. Just joking a bit, Mark.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala and hutchphd
  • #10
hutchphd said:
Respectfully, the problem statement said "by induction or otherwise".
Well, there is that ... The "otherwise" would be a bit easier.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: hutchphd and WWGD
  • #11
Mark44 said:
Well, there is that ... The "otherwise" would be a bit easier.
I just realized I could have skipped a step, and could have finished it in two lines.
## \frac {[3n(n+1)(2n+1)]} {6} ## and ##\frac {[n(n+1)}{2} = \frac {[n(n+1)(2n+1)]} {2} ## and ##\frac {[n(n+1)}{2} ##
 
  • #12
WWGD said:
For all intensive purpoises, irregardless. Just joking a bit, Mark.
Wouldn't that be "for all insensitive porpoises"?
Yep, just having fun.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: WWGD
  • #13
The joke I know involves "immortal porpoises" and " transportation across state lions" but I never could deliver a punchline.
 
  • #14
hutchphd said:
The joke I know involves "immortal porpoises" and " transportation across state lions" but I never could deliver a punchline.
staid lions:wink:
 
  • #15
(perhaps marginally) different joke! Mine involves a zoo
 
  • #16
hutchphd said:
(perhaps marginally) different joke! Mine involves a zoo
My zoo joke punchline: "Arrested for transporting underage gulls across staid lions for immortal porpoises".
 
  • #17
Almost. Mine was "transporting Mynahs (the birds) across state lions for immortal porpoises" My "state lions" were on loan from the state zoo. Why were your lions "staid"?
 
  • #18
hutchphd said:
(perhaps marginally) different joke! Mine involves a zoo
A zoo? Gesundheit!
 
  • #19
hutchphd said:
Why were your lions "staid"?
Note that this version substitutes "sedated" for "staid" (either word works in the joke):

"A scientist doing research on dolphins discovered that if he fed them a certain type of sea gull, they did not age at all. He kept his secret (and the dolphins) for many years, collecting all the sea gulls he could find while the dolphins continued to live forever, unchanged. One day he went to the beach looking for more sea gulls, but there were none to be found. He had captured them all. So he went to the zoo, where he had heard that they kept a few specimens. He found their cage, snatched several chicks from their nest, and tried to beat a hasty exit from the zoo. On the way out, he snuck through the lion enclosure. Tiptoeing gingerly over a sleeping lion towards the door and freedom, he was immediately arrested and thrown in prison. The charge? Transporting underage gulls across sedate lions for immortal porpoises."

https://arstechnica.com/civis/threads/we-havent-had-a-bad-joke-thread-in-a-while-so.337072/
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: hutchphd
  • #20
Please, this is a homework topic not "Random thoughts part X..".
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: renormalize
  • #21
I believe we did very well on both counts. Did not wish to offend.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: renormalize

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K