# Prove Identities with Induction method

• Sep 14th 2010, 08:37 AM
tammyr
Prove Identities with Induction method
Using the Induction method, prove for n-1

1 + 3 + 9 + 27+ . . . 3n-1= (3n-1)/2

1*20 + 2*21 + 3*22 + . . . + n*2n-1 = (n-1)2n + 1
• Sep 14th 2010, 09:29 AM
Traveller
You copied the sums wrong.

Take a look at the first few terms of each series and see whether they match the general formula that you provide at the end of each LHS ? Once you realize what the formulae are, prove them for n=1. Then assume that they are true for n-1 and add the general term for n to both sides of the equations. You should be able to get the rest of it by yourself.
• Sep 14th 2010, 11:08 AM
Soroban
Hello, tammyr!

C'mon . . . give us a break!
Are we supposed to GUESS what you meant?

Quote:

Using the Induction method, prove for n-1 ?

. . 1 + 3 + 9 + 27+ . . . 3n-1 = (3n-1)/2

. . 1*20 + 2*21 + 3*22 + . . . + n*2n-1 = (n-1)2n + 1

I'll take a guess at what you intended . . .

$1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + \hdots + 3^{n-1} \;=\;\dfrac{3^n-1}{2}$

$1\cdot2^0 + 2\cdot2^1 + 3\cdot2^2 + \hdots + n\cdot2^{n-1} \;=\;(n-1)2^n + 1$