Solve Problem with Proof by Induction

  • Thread starter Thread starter smh745
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Induction Proof
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
5 replies · 2K views
smh745
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I need help to solve this problem

Use induction to prove that, for n>=0:

3*5^0 + 3*5^1 + 3*5^2 + 3*5^3 + ...+ 3*5^n = 3*(5^(n+1)-1)/4

in other word


n

[tex]\sum[/tex] 3*5 k= 3*(5 n+1-1) / 4
k= 0
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Assume true for n=N and now prove true for n=N+1.
Do you know how to do a proof by induction?
 
I did these steps and I tried to complete the rest but I don't know some of the steps

and what I is in the attached doc.
 

Attachments

Try not to upload word documents as these usually contain viruses. Can you type out the steps you did?
 
Basis: n= 0
0
[tex]\sum[/tex]3*5^ 0 = 3

k= 0




3*(5 0+1-1) / 4 = 3




Assume:

n

[tex]\sum[/tex] 3*5^k= 3*(5 n+1-1) / 4
k= 0



Prove:

n+1

[tex]\sum[/tex] 3*5 ^k= 3*(5 (n+1)-1) / 4
k= 0


________________________________________
Proof:

n+1
[tex]\sum[/tex] 3*5^ k =

k= 0
 
As you have the base case, think about the sum:

3*5^0 + 3*5^1 + 3*5^2 + 3*5^3 + ...+ 3*5^n + 3*5^(n+1)

which is now your inductive step, as rock.freak667 suggested.

What are the two ways in which this can also be written with the information you already have?

The Bob