Monday 19 January 2015

discrete mathematics - Proving $ (1)(2) + (2)(3) + (3)(4) + cdots+ (n) (n+1) = frac{(n)(n+1)(n+2)}{3} $ by induction




I have the Following Proof By Induction Question:



$$ (1)(2) + (2)(3) + (3)(4) + \cdots+ (n) (n+1) = \frac{(n)(n+1)(n+2)}{3} $$



Can Anybody Tell Me What I'm Missing.



This is where I've Gone So Far.







Show Truth for N = 1



LHS = (1) (2) = 2



RHS = $$ \frac{(1)(1+1)(1+2)}{3} $$



Which is Equal to 2



Assume N = K




$$ (1)(2) + (2)(3) + (3)(4) + \cdots+ (k) (k+1) = \frac{(k)(k+1)(k+2)}{3} $$



Proof that the equation is true for N = K + 1



$$ (1)(2) + (2)(3) + (3)(4) + \cdots+ (k) (k+1) + (k+1) (k + 2)$$



Which is Equal To:
$$ \frac{(k)(k+1)(k+2)}{3} + (k+1) (k + 2)$$




This is where I've went so far



If I did the calculation right the Answer should be



$$\frac{(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)}{3}$$


Answer



Your proof is fine, but you should show clearly how you got to the last expression.



$\dfrac{k(k+1)(k+2)}{3}+(k+1)(k+2)$




$=\dfrac{k}{3}(k+1)(k+2)+(k+1)(k+2)$



$=(\dfrac{k}{3}+1)(k+1)(k+2)$



$=\dfrac{k+3}{3}(k+1)(k+2)$



$=\dfrac{(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)}{3}$.



You should also word your proof clearly. For example, you can say "Let $P(n)$ be the statement ... $P(1)$ is true ... Assume $P(k)$ is true for some positive integer $k$ ... then $P(k+1)$ is true ... hence $P(n)$ is true for all positive integers $n$".


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