Algebra proofs

Many algebra proofs are done using proof by mathematical induction. To demonstrate the power of mathematical induction, we shall prove an algebraic equation and a geometric formula with induction. If you are not familiar with with proofs using induction, carefully study proof by mathematical induction given as a reference above. Otherwise, you could struggle with these algebra proofs below Algebra equation: Prove by mathematical induction that 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ... + 2n-1 = 2n - 1 Step # 1: Show that the equation is true for n = 2. n = 2 means adding the first two terms 1 + 2 = 3 and 22 - 1 = 4 - 1 = 3. So, it is true for n =2 Just for fun, let's show it is true also for n = 4. n =4 means adding the first 4 terms 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 = 15 and 24 - 1 = 16 - 1 = 15. So, it is true also for n =4 Step # 2: Suppose it is true for n = k Just replace n by k 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ... + 2k-1 = 2k - 1 Step # 3: Prove it is true for n = k + 1 You need to write down what it means for the equation to be true for n = k + 1 Caution: Writing down what it means is not the same as proving the equation is true. In fact, it

just shows you what you need to prove Here is what it means for n = k + 1: After you replace k by k+1, you get : 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ... + 2k + 1 -1 = 2k + 1 - 1 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ... + 2k = 2k + 1 - 1 You can now complete the proof by using the hypothesis in step # 2 and then show that 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ... + 2k = 2k + 1 - 1 starting with the hypothesis, 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ... + 2k-1 = 2k - 1 ask yourself, " What does the next term look like? " Since the last term now is 2k-1, the next term should be 2k + 1 -1 = 2k after replacing k by k + 1 Add 2k to both sides of the hypothesis 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ... + 2k-1 + 2k = 2k - 1 + 2k The trick here is to see that 2k + 2k = 2 2k = 21 2k = 2k + 1 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ... + 2k-1 + 2k = 2k - 1 + 2k = 2 2k -1 = 21 2k -1 = 2k + 1 -1 Geometric formula: Show by mathematical induction that the sum of the angles in an n-gon = ( n - 2 ) 180

A couple of good observations before we prove it: Observation #1: An n-gon is a closed figure with n sides. For example, an n-gon with 4 sides is called a quadrilateral an n-gon with 3 sides is called a triangle