Principle of Mathematical Induction

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Give an example of a statement P(n) which is true for all n4 but P(1), P(2) and P(3) are not true. Justify your answer.

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Solution

Let the statement P(n):3n<n !

For n=1,3×1<1 ! [false]

For n=2,3×2<2!6<2 [false]

For n=3,3×3<3!9<6 [false]

For n=4,3×4<4!12<24 [true]

For n=5,3×5<5!15<5×4×3×2×115<120 [true]

2. Give an example of a statement P(n) which is true for all n. Justify your answer.Prove that

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Solution

Consider the statement

P(n):12+22+32++n2=n(n+1)(2n+1)6 For n=1,=1(1+1)(2×1+1)61=2(3)61=1 For n=2,1+22=2(2+1)(4+1)65=3065=5 For n=3,1+22+32=3(3+1)(7)61+4+9=3(4)(7)614=14

Hence, the given statement is true for all n.

Prove each of the statements in the following questions from by the Principle of Mathematical Induction.

3. 4n1 is divisible by 3 , for each natural number n.

Thinking Process

In step I put n=1, the obtained result should be a divisible by 3. In step II put n=k and take P(k) equal to multiple of 3 with non-zero constant say q. In step III put n=k+1, in the statement and Sol.ve till it becomes a multiple of 3.

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Solution

Let P(n):4n1 is divisible by 3 for each natural number n.

Step I Now, we observe that P(1) is true.

P(1)=411=3

It is clear that 3 is divisible by 3.

Hence, P(1) is true.

Step II Assume that, P(n) is true for n=k

P(k):4k1 is divisible by 3

x4k1=3q

Step III Now, to prove that P(k+1) is true.

P(k+1):4k+11=4k41=4k3+4k1=34k+3q=3(4k+q)

Thus, P(k+1) is true whenever P(k) is true.

Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true for all natural number n.

4. 23n1 is divisible by 7 , for all natural numbers n.

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Solution

Let P(n):23n1 is divisible by 7

Step I We observe that P(1) is true.

P(1):23×11=231=81=7

It is clear that P(1) is true.

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k, P(k):23k1 is divisible by 7 .

23k1=7q

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true.

P(k+1):23(k+1)1=23k231=23k(7+1)1=723k+23k1=723k+7q=7(23k+q)

Hence, P(k+1) : is true whenever P(k) is true.

So, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true for all natural number n.

5. n37n+3 is divisible by 3 , for all natural numbers n.

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Solution

Let P(n):n37n+3 is divisible by 3 , for all natural number n.

Step I We observe that P(1) is true.

Hence, P(1) is true.

P(1)=(1)37(1)+3=17+3=3, which is divisible by 3

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k)=k37k+3=3q

Step III To prove P(k+1) is true

P(k+1):(k+1)37(k+1)+3=k3+1+3k(k+1)7k7+3=k37k+3+3k(k+1)6=3q+3[k(k+1)2][from step II]

Hence, P(k+1) is true whenever P(k) is true.

So, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) : is true for all natural number n.

6. 32n1 is divisible by 8 , for all natural numbers n.

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Solution

Let P(n):32n1 is divisible by 8 , for all natural numbers.

Step I We observe that P(1) is true.

P(1):32(1)1=321=91=8, which is divisible by 8.

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k):32k1=8q

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true.

P(k+1):32(k+1)1=32k321=32k(8+1)1=832k+32k1=832k+8q=8(32k+q) [from step II]

Hence, P(k+1) is true whenever P(k) is true.

So, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true for all natural numbers n.

7. For any natural numbers n,7n2n is divisible by 5 .

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Solution

Consider the given statement is

P(n):7n2n is divisible by 5 , for any natural number n.

Step I We observe that P(1) is true.

P(1)=7121=5, which is divisible by 5

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k)=7k2k=5q

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true,

P(k+1):7k+12k+1=7k72k2

=7k(5+2)2k2=7k5+27k2k2=57k+2(7k2k)=57k+2(5q)

=5(7k+2q), which is divisible by 5. [from step II] 

So, P(k+1) is true whenever P(k) is true.

Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true for any natural number n.

8. For any natural numbers n,xnyn is divisible by xy, where x and y are any integers with xy.

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Solution

Let P(n):xnyn is divisible by xy, where x and y are any integers with xy.

Step I We observe that P(1) is true.

P(1):x1y1=xy

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k):xkyk is divisible by (x-y) .

xkyk = q(x-y)

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true.

P(k+1):xk+1yk+1=xkxyky=xkxxky+xkyyky=xk(xy)+y(xkyk)=xk(xy)+yq(xy)=(xy)[xk+yq], which is divisible by (xy). [from step II] 

Hence, P(k+1) is true whenever P(k) is true. So, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true for any natural number n.

9. n3n is divisible by 6 , for each natural number n2.

Thinking Process

In step I put n=2, the obtained result should be divisible by 6. Then, follow the same process as in question no. 4.

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Solution

Let P(n):n3n is divisible by 6 , for each natural number n2.

Step I We observe that P(2) is true. P(2):(2)32

82=6, which is divisible by 6

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k):k3k is divisible by 6.

k3k=6q

Step III To prove P(k+1) is true

P(k+1):(k+1)3(k+1)=k3+1+3k(k+1)(k+1)=k3+1+3k2+3kk1=k3k+3k2+3k=6q+3k(k+1) [from step II]

We know that, 3k(k+1) is divisible by 6 for each natural number n=k.

So, P(k+1) is true. Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true.

10. n(n2+5) is divisible by 6 , for each natural number n.

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Solution

Let P(n):n(n2+5) is divisible by 6 , for each natural number n.

Step I We observe that P(1) is true.

P(1):1(12+5)=6, which is divisible by 6 .

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k):k(k2+5) is divisible by 6 .

k(k2+5)=6q

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true, we have

P(k+1):(k+1)[(k+1)2+5]=(k+1)[k2+2k+1+5]=(k+1)[k2+2k+6]=k3+2k2+6k+k2+2k+6=k3+3k2+8k+6=k3+5k+3k2+3k+6=k(k2+5)+3(k2+k+2)=(6q)+3(k2+k+2)

We know that, k2+k+2 is divisible by 2 , where, k is even or odd.

Since, P(k+1):6q+3(k2+k+2) is divisible by 6 . So, P(k+1) is true whenever P(k) is true.

Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true.

11. n2<2n, for all natural numbers n5.

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Solution

Consider the given statement

P(n):n2<2n for all natural numbers n5.

Step I We observe that P(5) is true

Hence, P(5) is true.

P(5):52<25=25<32

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k)=k2<2k is true. 

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true, we have to show that

P(k+1):(k+1)2<2k+1

Now,

k2<2k=k2+2k+1<2k+2k+1=(k+1)2<2k+2k+1=2k+2k+1<2k+2k=2k+2k+1<22k=2k+2k+1<2k+1

 Now, (2k+1)<2k=2k+2k+1<2k+2k

From Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get (k+1)2<2k+1

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever P(k) is true. Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true for all natural numbers n5.

12. 2n<(n+2) ! for all natural numbers n.

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Solution

Consider the statement

P(n):2n<(n+2) ! for all natural number n.

Step I We observe that, P(1) is true. P(1):2(1)<(1+2) !

2<3!2<3×2×12<6

Hence, P(1) is true.

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k,

P(k):2k<(k+2) !is true.

Step III To prove P(k+1) is true, we have to show that

P(k+1):2(k+1)<(k+1+2)!

Now 2 k & <(k+2) !

2 k <(k+2) !

2 k+2 <(k+2) !+2

2(k+1) <(k+2) !+2

(k+2) !+2 <(k+3) !

From Eqs. (i) and (ii),

2(k+1)<(k+1+2)!

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.

Hence, by principle of mathematical induction P(n) is true.

13. n<11+12++1n, for all natural numbers n2.

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Solution

Consider the statement

P(n):n<11+12++1n, for all natural numbers n2.

Step I We observe that P(2) is true.

P(2):2<11+12, which is true. 

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k):k<11+12++1k is true. 

Step III To prove P(k+1) is true, we have to show that

Given that,

P(k+1):k+1<11+12++1k+1 is true. 

k+1k+1<11+12++1k+1k+1

(k)(k+1)+1k+1<11+12+1k+1k+1

If

k+1<kk+1+1k+1

k+1<kk+1+1

k<k(k+1)k<k+1

From Eqs. (i) and (ii),

k+1<11+12++1k+1

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever P(k) is true. Hence, P(n) is true.

14. 2+4+6++2n=n2+n, for all natural numbers n.

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Solution

Let P(n):2+4+6++2n=n2+n

For all natural numbers n.

Step I We observe that P(1) is true.

P(1):2=12+12=2, which is true. 

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k):2+4+6++2k=k2+k

Step III To prove that P(k+1) is true.

P(k+1):2+4+6+8++2k+2(k+1)=k2+k+2(k+1)=k2+k+2k+2=k2+2k+1+k+1=(k+1)2+k+1

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.

Hence, P(n) is true.

15. 1+2+22++2n=2n+11 for all natural numbers n.

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Solution

Consider the given statement

P(n):1+2+22++2n=2n+11, for all natural numbers n

Step I We observe that P(0) is true.

P(1):1=20+111=2111=211=1, which is true. 

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

So, P(k):1+2+22++2k=2k+11 is true.

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true.

P(k+1):1+2+22++2k+2k+1=2k+11+2k+1=22k+11=2k+21=2(k+1)+11

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever P(k) is true.

Hence, P(n) is true.

16. 1+5+9++(4n3)=n(2n1), for all natural numbers n.

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Solution

Let P(n):1+5+9++(4n3)=n(2n1), for all natural numbers n. Step I We observe that P(1) is true.

P(1):1=1(2×11),1=21 and 1=1, which is true. 

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

So, P(k):1+5+9++(4k3)=k(2k1) is true.

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true.

P(k+1):1+5+9++(4k3)+4(k+1)3=k(2k1)+4(k+1)3=2k2k+4k+43=2k2+3k+1=2k2+2k+k+1=2k(k+1)+1(k+1)=(k+1)(2k+1)=(k+1)[2k+1+11]=(k+1)[2(k+1)1]

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever p(k) is true, hence P(n) is true.

Long Answer Type Questions

Use the Principle of Mathematical Induction in the following questions.

17. A sequence a1,a2,a3, is defined by letting a1=3 and ak=7ak1, for all natural numbers k2. Show that an=37n1 for all natural numbers.

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Solution

A sequence a1,a2,a3, is defined by letting a1=3 and ak=7ak1, for all natural numbers k2.

Let P(n):an=37n1 for all natural numbers.

Step I We observe P(2) is true.

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k):ak=37k1

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true, we have to show that

P(k+1):ak+1=37k+11ak+1=7ak+11=7ak=737k1=37k1+1

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever p(k) is true. Hence, P(n) is true.

18. A sequence b0,b1,b2, is defined by letting b0=5 and bk=4+bk1, for all natural numbers k. Show that bn=5+4n, for all natural number n using mathematical induction.

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Solution

Consider the given statement,

P(n):bn=5+4n, for all natural numbers given that b0=5 and bk=4+bk1

Step I P(1) is true.

P(1):b1=5+4×1=9

As b0=5,b1=4+b0=4+5=9

Hence, P(1) is true.

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k):bk=5+4k

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true, we have to show that

P(k+1):bk+1=5+4(k+1)bk+1=4+bk+11=4+bk=4+5+4k=5+4(k+1)

So, by the mathematical induction P(k+1) is true whenever P(k) is true, hence P(n) is true.

19. A sequence d1,d2,d3, is defined by letting d1=2 and dk=dk1k, for all natural numbers, k2. Show that dn=2n!, for all nN.

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Solution

Let P(n):dn=2n!,nN, to prove P(2) is true.

Step I P(2):d2=22!=22×1=1

As, given d1=2

dk=dk1k

d2=d12=22=1

Hence, P(2) is true.

Step II Now, assume that P(k) is true.

P(k):dk=2k!

Step III Now, to prove that P(k+1) is true, we have to show that P(k+1):dk+1=2(k+1)!

dk+1=dk+11k=dkk=2k!k=2(k+1)!

So, P(k+1) is true. Hence, P(n) is true.

20. Prove that for all nN

cosα+cos(α+β)+cos(α+2β)++cos[α+(n1)β]=cosα+n12βsinnβ2sinβ2

Thinking Process

To prove this, use the formula 2cosAsinB=sin(A+B)sin(AB) and

sinAsinB=2cosA+B2sinAB2

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Solution

Let P(n):cosα+cos(α+β)+cos(α+2β)++cos[α+(n1)β]

Step I We observe that P(1)

=cosα+n12βsinnβ2sinβ2

P(1):cosα=cosα+112βsinβ2sinβ2=cos(α+0)sinβ2sinβ2

Hence, P(1) is true.

Step II Now, assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k):cosα+cos(α+β)+cos(α+2β)++cos[α+(k1)β]=cosα+k12βsinkβ2sinβ2

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true, we have to show that

P(k+1):cosα+cos(α+β)+cos(α+2β)++cos[α+(k1)β]

+cos[α+(k+11)β]=cosα+kβ2sin(k+1)β2sinβ2

LHS =cosα+cos(α+β)+cos(α+2β)++cos[α+(k1)β]+cos(α+kβ)

=cosα+k12βsinkβ2sinβ2+cos(α+kβ)

=cosα+k12βsinkβ2+cos(α+kβ)sinβ2sinβ2

=sinα+kβ2β2+kβ2sinα+kβ2β2kβ2+sinα+kβ+β2sinα+kββ22sinβ2

=sinα+kβ+β2sinαβ22sinβ2

=2cos12α+β2+kβ+αβ2sin12α+β2+kβα+β22sinβ2

=cos2α+kβ2sinkβ+β2sinβ2=cosα+kβ2sin(k+1)β2sinβ2= RHS

So, P(k+1) is true. Hence, P(n) is true.

21. Prove that cosθcos2θcos22θcos2n1θ=sin2nθ2nsinθ,nN.

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Solution

Let P(n):cosθcos2θcos2n1θ=sin2nθ2nsinθ

Step I For n=1,P(1):cosθ=sin21θ21sinθ

=sin2θ2sinθ=2sinθcosθ2sinθ=cosθ

which is true.

Step II Assume that P(n) is true, for n=k.

P(k):cosθcos2θcos22θcos2k1θ=sin2kθ2ksinθ is true. 

Step III To prove P(k+1) is true.

P(k+1):cosθcos2θcos22θcos2k1θcos2kθ=sin2kθ2ksinθcos2kθ=2sin2kθcos2kθ22ksinθ=sin22kθ2k+1sinθ=sin2(k+1)θ2k+1sinθ

which is true.

So, P(k+1) is true. Hence, P(n) is true.

22. Prove that, sinθ+sin2θ+sin3θ++sinnθ=sinnθ2sin(n+1)2θsinθ2, for all nN.

Thinking Process

To use the formula of 2sinAsinB=cos(AB)cos(A+B) and

cosAcosB=2sinA+B2sinBA2 also cos(θ)=cosθ.

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Solution

Consider the given statement

P(n):sinθ+sin2θ+sin3θ++sinnθ

=sinnθ2sin(n+1)θ2sinθ2, for all nN

Step I We observe that P(1) is

P(1):sinθ=sinθ2sin(1+1)2θsinθ2=sinθ2sinθsinθ2sinθ=sinθ

Hence, P(1) is true.

Step II Assume that P(n) is true, for n=k.

P(k):sinθ+sin2θ+sin3θ++sinkθ

=sinkθ2sink+12θsinθ2 is true. 

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true.

P(k+1):sinθ+sin2θ+sin3θ++sinkθ+sin(k+1)θ

=sin(k+1)θ2sink+1+12θsinθ2

LHS =sinθ+sin2θ+sin3θ++sinkθ+sin(k+1)θ

=sinkθ2sink+12θsinθ2+sin(k+1)θ=sinkθ2sink+12θ+sin(k+1)θsinθ2sinθ2 =coskθ2k+12θcoskθ2+k+12θ+cos(k+1)θθ2cos(k+1)θ+θ22sinθ2

=cosθ2coskθ+θ2+coskθ+θ2coskθ+3θ22sinθ2

=cosθ2coskθ+3θ22sinθ2=2sin12θ2+kθ+3θ2sin12kθ+3θ2θ22sinθ2

=sinkθ+2θ2sinkθ+θ2sinθ2=sin(k+1)θ2sin(k+1+1)θ2sinθ2

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever P(k) is true. Hence, P(n) is true.

23. Show that n55+n33+7n15 is a natural number, for all nN.

Thinking Process

Here, use the formula (a+b)5=a5+5ab4+10a2b3+10a3b2+5a4b+b5

and (a+b)3=a3+b3+3ab(a+b)

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Solution

Consider the given statement

P(n):n55+n33+7n15 is a natural number, for all nN.

Step I We observe that P(1) is true.

P(1):(1)55+133+7(1)15=3+5+715=1515=1, which is a natural number. Hence, P(1) is true.

Step II Assume that P(n) is true, for n=k.

P(k):k55+k33+7k15 is natural number.

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true.

(k+1)55+(k+1)33+7(k+1)15=k5+5k4+10k3+10k2+5k+15+k3+1+3k(k+1)3+7k+715=k5+5k4+10k3+10k2+5k+15+k3+1+3k2+3k3+7k+715=k55+k33+7k15+5k4+10k3+10k2+5k+15+3k2+3k+13+7k+715=k55+k33+7k15+k4+2k3+2k2+k+k2+k+15+13+715=k55+k33+7k15+k4+2k3+3k2+2k+1, which is a natural number 

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever P(k) is true. Hence,P(n) is true.

24. Prove that 1n+1+1n+2++12n>1324, for all natural numbers n>1.

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Solution

Consider the given statement

P(n):1n+1+1n+2++12n>1324, for all natural numbers n>1.

Step I We observe that, P(2) is true,

P(2):12+1+12+2>132413+14>13244+312>1324712>1324, which is true. 

Hence, P(2) is true.

Step II Now, we assume that P(n) is true,

For n=k,

P(k):1k+1+1k+2++12k>1324

Step III Now, to prove P(k+1) is true, we have to show that

P(k+1):1k+1+1k+2++12k+12(k+1)>1324 Given, 1k+1+1k+2++12k>13241k+1+12k+12(k+1)>1324+12(k+1)1324+12(k+1)>13241k+2++12k+12(k+1)>1324

So, P(k+1) is true, whenever P(k) is true. Hence, P(n) is true.

25. Prove that number of subsets of a set containing n distinct elements is 2n, for all nN.

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Solution

Let P(n) : Number of subset of a set containing n distinct elements is 2n, for all nN.

Step I We observe that P(1) is true, for n=1.

Number of subsets of a set contain 1 element is 21=2, which is true.

Step II Assume that P(n) is true for n=k.

P(k) : Number of subsets of a set containing k distinct elements is 2k, which is true.

Step III To prove P(k+1) is true, we have to show that

P(k+1) : Number of subsets of a set containing (k+1) distinct elements is 2k+1.

We know that, with the addition of one element in the set, the number of subsets become double.

Number of subsets of a set containing (k+1) distinct elements =2×2k=2k+1.

So, P(k+1) is true. Hence, P(n) is true.

Objective Type Questions

26. If 10n+34n+2+k is divisible by 9 , for all nN, then the least positive integral value of k is

(a) 5

(b) 3

(c) 7

(d) 1

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Solution

(a) Let P(n):10n+34n+2+k is divisible by 9 , for all nN.

For n=1, the given statement is also true 101+341+2+k is divisible by 9 .

=10+364+k=10+192+k=202+k

If (202+k) is divisible by 9 , then the least value of k must be 5 .

202+5=207 is divisible by 9

2079=23

Hence, the least value of k is 5 .

27. For all nN,352n+1+23n+1 is divisible by

(a) 19

(b) 17

(c) 23

(d) 25

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Solution

(b,c)

Given that, 352n+1+23n+1

For n=1,

Now, 352(1)+1+23(1)+1=353+24=3×125+16=375+16=391391=17×23

which is divisible by both 17 and 23 .

28. If xn1 is divisible by xk, then the least positive integral value of k is

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) 4

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Solution

Let P(n):xn1 is divisible by (xk).

For n=1,x11 is divisible by (xk).

Since, if x1 is divisible by xk. Then, the least possible integral value of k is 1 .

Fillers

29. If P(n):2n<n!,nN, then P(n) is true for all n ……

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Solution

Given that, P(n):2n<n!,nN

For n=1, 2< ! [false]

For n=2,2×2<2!4<2 [false]

For n=3,2×3<3 ! 6<3 !

6<3×2×1

(6<6) [false]

For n=4, 2×4<4 !

8<4×3×2×1 (8<24) [true ]

For n=5, 2×5<5 !

10<5×4×3×2×1

(10<120) [true]

Hence, P(n) is for all n4.

True/False

30. Let P(n) be a statement and let P(k)P(k+1), for some natural number k, then P(n) is true for all nN.

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Solution

False

The given statement is false because P(1) is true has not been proved.



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