# Math Help - Mathematical induction proof, help?

1. ## Mathematical induction proof, help?

S(n): 2+7+12+...+(5n+2) = 1/2(n+1)(5n+4)

S(1): LHS (5(1)+2) = 9
RHS 1/2(1+1)(5(1)+4) = 9 RHS = LHS

Assume True: S(k) = 2+7+12+...+(5k+2) = 1/2(k+1)(5k+4)

Want to Show True: S(k+1) = 2+7+12+...+(5(k+1)+2) = 1/2((k+1)+1)(5(k+1)+4)

Here's what I have so far.

LHS = 2+7+12+...+ (5k+2) + (5(k+1)+2) = 5(k+1)+ 2 + 1/2(k+1)(5k+4) by induction hypothesis

I am stuck here...if anyone can help I appreciate it.

2. Originally Posted by forumlurker
S(n): 2+7+12+...+(5n+2) = 1/2(n+1)(5n+4)

S(1): LHS (5(1)+2) = 9
RHS 1/2(1+1)(5(1)+4) = 9 RHS = LHS

Assume True: S(k) = 2+7+12+...+(5k+2) = 1/2(k+1)(5k+4)

Want to Show True: S(k+1) = 2+7+12+...+(5(k+1)+2) = 1/2((k+1)+1)(5(k+1)+4)

Here's what I have so far.

LHS = 2+7+12+...+ (5k+2) + (5(k+1)+2) = 5(k+1)+ 2 + 1/2(k+1)(5k+4) by induction hypothesis

I am stuck here...if anyone can help I appreciate it.
This is actually a sum of n+1 terms,
so you should have 2+7=0.5(2)9, for n=1,
in other words

$S_{n+1}=\frac{n+1}{2}(5n+4)$

You just need to continue on from where you were...

You are trying to prove if $5(k+1)+2+\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5k+4)=\frac{1}{2}(k+1+1) (5(k+1)+4)$ ?

as you are using the "fact" that the sum of (n+1) terms should be $\frac{1}{2}(n+1)(5n+4)$

Here's one way to show it....

$\frac{1}{2}(k+1+1)(5(k+1)+4)=\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5(k+ 1)+4)+\frac{1}{2}(5(k+1)+4)$

$=\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5k+4)+\frac{1}{2}(k+1)5+\frac{1} {2}(5(k+1)+4)$

$=\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5k+4)+\frac{5}{2}k+\frac{5}{2}+\ frac{5}{2}k+\frac{5}{2}+\frac{4}{2}$

$=\frac{1}{2}(k+1)((5k+4)+5k+5+2$ true

3. Sorry double post.

4. Yes I am trying to show that these are equal.

$5(k+1)+ 2 + 1/2(k+1)(5k+4) = 1/2((k+1)+1)(5(k+1)+4)$

I understand till this point though.

$\frac{1}{2}(k+1+1)(5(k+1)+4)=\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5(k+ 1)+4)+\frac{1}{2}(5(k+1)+4)$
My teacher has advised us to basically expand $5(k+1)+ 2 + 1/2(k+1)(5k+4)$ to $1/2((k+1)+1)(5(k+1)+4)$ to prove they are equal.

And to stop any assumptions, this is not a homework problem, this is for me to learn. Although my instructor is helpful, he speaks quickly and is sometimes hard to understand.

5. Hi forumlurker,

$\frac{1}{2}(k+1\color{red}+1\color{black})(5(k+1)+ 4)=\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5(k+1)+4)+\frac{1}{2}(\color{r ed}1\color{black})(5(k+1)+4)$

If you are trying to discover if both sides are equal,
it's irrelevant whether you prove RHS=LHS or LHS=RHS.

However, sometimes you run into a teacher that will stick to one way.

$5(k+1)+2+\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5k+4)$

$=\frac{1}{2}5(k+1)+\frac{1}{2}5(k+1)+\frac{1}{2}2+ \frac{1}{2}2+\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5k+4)$

$=\frac{1}{2}(5(k+1)+4)+\color{blue}\frac{1}{2}5(k+ 1)+\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5k+4)$

$\color{blue}=\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5k+5+4)\color{black} +\frac{1}{2}(5(k+1)+4)$

$=\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5(k+1)+4)+\frac{1}{2}(5(k+1)+4)$

The first term of this sum is (k+1) times the second term,
so we can write it as

$\frac{1}{2}(k+1+1)(5(k+1)+4)$ proven

6. Sorry I guess this is just over my head today or something because it's not connecting. What's funny is many other induction problems aren't that difficult for me.

Thanks for offering your time and help, not many people do that.

7. The induction process is not very complex here,
maybe it's the rearrangements of the factors you may not be used to.

$\frac{1}{2}(k+2)(5k+9)=\frac{1}{2}\left(5k^2+19k+1 8\right)$
$5(k+1)+2+\frac{1}{2}(k+1)(5k+4)=5k+7+\frac{1}{2}\l eft(5k^2+9k+4\right)=$ $\frac{1}{2}\left(10k+14+5k^2+9k+4\right)=\frac{1}{ 2}\left(5k^2+19k+18\right)$