- 2070 Bhadra · 8 marks
Induction: sum of n(n+1)(n+2)
Short answer
Basis n=1: 1·2·3 = 1·2·3·4/4. Assume sum to k = k(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)/4. Add (k+1)(k+2)(k+3), factor (k+1)(k+2)(k+3) to get (k+1)(k+2)(k+3)(k+4)/4. True for all n≥1.
Prove by Mathematical Induction: 1.2.3 + 2.3.4 + 3.4.5 + ........ + n(n+1)(n+2) = n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)/4
To prove. P(n): 1·2·3 + 2·3·4 + … + n(n+1)(n+2) = n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)/4 for all n ≥ 1.
Basis step (n = 1)
- LHS = 1·2·3 = 6.
- RHS = 1·2·3·4/4 = 6.
- P(1) is true.
Inductive hypothesis
Assume P(k): 1·2·3 + … + k(k+1)(k+2) = k(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)/4.
Inductive step
Show P(k+1): the sum up to (k+1)(k+2)(k+3) equals (k+1)(k+2)(k+3)(k+4)/4.
LHS = k(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)/4 + (k+1)(k+2)(k+3) (hypothesis)
= (k+1)(k+2)(k+3) [ k/4 + 1 ]
= (k+1)(k+2)(k+3) (k+4)/4 = RHS
Conclusion
By mathematical induction, P(n) is true for every positive integer n. ∎
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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